IH 2444

Recently sold my MH33 and purchased a IH 2444 S/N 00838. It seems to be a perfect tractor for small field work, firewood and trail maint. After only a couple of hours of operation the power steering is making a lot of noise while turning and has stuttering resistance. I don't see any fluid leakage anywhere that is substantial.
The tractor has an aux hyd. pump on the crank in front of the radiator and also a smaller hydraulic pump on the right side front of the engine behind the radiator, which I believe is the one for the pwr. steering It also has a large external hydraulic reservoir that runs along the left side of the tractor that is plumbed to the front pump.
I tried searching and reading, but I'm still confused I think. As far as I can understand the fill would be behind the seat and should be about 6" below the plug. I measured it there and it's about 5 1/2" so a little full. However when I remove the plug next to the gear shift I can't see any fluid. I thought that the fluid gravity fed down to the trans. Can someone please tell me specifically what I need to be looking for?
Thanks
Craig

The 2444 is built on the British platform, like the B414, 3414, etc. 2444 hydraulic reservoir is the same as used on the B414, 424, 444, 2424, 354, 364, and 384. It uses oil the is totally separate from the transmission.

Some of the British series use double pumps on the side of the engine e.g. late B414, 364, and 384. The 2444 does not. Uses a single pump with a flow-divider to work the power-steering. 2444 diesel has a British single engine-driven pump and the 2444 gas has a sinlge engine driven made by USA Cessna.

The hydraulic reservoir is located under the seat. That is the plug you checked. Normally there is a plate between the reservoir and the transmission/rear end reservoir.

When those tractors are equipped with a front crankshaft driven pump The plate between the hydraulic reservoir with a different one that has suction tube from the rear end oil up through the hydraulic reservoir and on to the hydraulic filter mounted on the loader frame. That is the external reservoir you are posting about. The return oil is routed to the hydraulic reservoir which then has a stand pipe in it to keep the level at the 5 1/2 inched you measured.

The hydraulic oil is then checked by measuring down from the transmission fill plug next to the shift lever. the entire system then holds about 17 gallons.

Thanks for the replies guys.
So.... from what I'm understanding, the trans level should be up to the bottom of the plug hole next to the shift lever?

(quoted from post at 16:56:09 09/23/13) Thanks for the replies guys.
So.... from what I'm understanding, the trans level should be up to the bottom of the plug hole next to the shift lever?

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My manual states "Tractors with front-mounted pump, fluid level is six inches below filler plug opening."

So what is the level in the transmission supposed to be? It looks to me that the power steering pump pulls from by the trans or am I wrong? By the way my manuals are on the way, but I"m trying to get this thing ready for firewood this weekend.
Thanks

(quoted from post at 21:45:46 09/23/13) So what is the level in the transmission supposed to be? It looks to me that the power steering pump pulls from by the trans or am I wrong? By the way my manuals are on the way, but I"m trying to get this thing ready for firewood this weekend.
Thanks

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[b:a3c1b69fcc]Tractors with front-mounted pump, fluid level is six inches below filler plug opening.[/b:a3c1b69fcc] The transmission and rear end share a common reservoir.

When you have the front pump the transmission also serves as a hydraulic reservoir. Oil for the power steering and hitch pump still comes from the reservoir under the seat. Oil for the front pump comes from the transmission and is returned to the reservoir under the seat. There is a stand pipe in that reservoir that keeps that oil at the proper level. All excess is returned to the transmission through the stand pipe.

If you follow the lines for the front pump you will see they both enter the tractor under the seat. The supply line goes all the way through the upper hydraulic reservoir and draws oil from neat the bottom of the rear frame. Oil from the tractor enters the filter mounted on the loader frame and then continues on to the front pump. From the pump it goes to the control valves. Oil flows through the valves and enters the tractor through the return line. Once in the tractor the return line does not go back to the rear frame but instead stops in the upper hydraulic reservoir.

Ok I guess I get it. The trans level doesn't matter as long as the reservoir under the seat is at the correct level. I'm just not used to seeing a trans with no visable fluid level in it.
So is there a screen or something that could be plugged causing my power steering to quickly start whining? It seems a little unusual that in a couple of hours it went from fine to howling and literally no power steering. Maybe I should start another topic?
Thanks for being patient with me.

The transmission oil level is where you check for the proper hydraulic oil level, not the reservoir under the seat.

The reservoir under the seat will always remain at the proper level unless the transmission oil level is so low that the front pump cannot pick up any oil through the suction line. The oil for the loader comes out of the transmission and is returned to the hydraulic reservoir, not directly to the transmission. The stand pipe in that reservoir will always maintain the correct level.

There is a screen type filter for the power steering in the lower right front corner of the hydraulic reservoir. There is a short hose connecting the supply line for the PS pump to the reservoir. Loosen the clamps and slide the hose forward. The filter is part of the hose fitting that goes into then reservoir. Once the hose is off you can pull the filter assembly out of the reservoir. You most likely will need to replace the O-ring on the filter before you reinstall it in the reservoir.