Farmall M hydraulics

I just bought a 47 Farmall M about a month ago, and I haven't really had any time to work with it until know. I just have a few questions regarding the hydraulic system. Where is the Hydraulic fill, on the hydraulic control lever is their a position that can hold the implement, how do I check the hydraulic fill level, and I've heard somethings that you could buy an aftermarket valve to have two way pressure is that true?

First,Order a manual asap.Second,the control rod has a 'bump' on the underside.Rest the 'bump' on the support to hold an implement.Under the gas tank on the right side is a (3/4") 'pipe plug' sticking up. That is the filler.there should be a dipstick under the cap.However,lots of them are gone. Use a stick.It holds about 6 qts.Yes,there are valves for two way hydrolics. The accepted/'factory' is called the 'Christmas tree' valve.Hard to find and expencive.However,you can use a common spool valve.1000s of H/SH; M/SMs use spool valves for twoway hydralics.Includeing mine. (SH,M,SM). Ask later for instructions to 'plumb up'.

The fill port is on top of the case, inboard from the control lever and in front of the belt pulley. It's a standard pipe fitting with a cap on top.

On the control lever, you will notice a "dog" on the bottom side of the control rod. When the rod is pulled out all the way, the pump is activated and the implement raises. When the rod is pushed in so the dog is against the guide, the implement is held in whatever position it was raised to. Pushing the control rod all the way back in releases the hydraulic pressure and the implement drops.

Now, I have an H with the same system that has been plumbed for a loader with a hydraulic tilt bucket. There is a two lever control mounted by the right head light. A pressure hose runs to the control unit. A tee fitting is installed on the fill port on the pump for the return hose from the control. The control rod is modified to hold the pump in the "pressure" position all the time. The control levers are then plumbed with hoses to the lift cylinders and the tilt cylinder.

When the control levers are in the neutral position, hydraulic fluid simply circulates through the control unit and back to the pump. When either of the levers are activated, fluid is diverted to wherever it needs to go. Works like a charm, only it's not "live".

I have an M still in its basic form. I'm considering plumbing a single ever control to a rear coupler the same way. I think a lever control would give more précised control over whatever you're doing with the hydraulics. I have a sickle bar mower on my M right now, and with the original control rod it's difficult to pick the sickle bar up an inch or two at a time, or drop it just a tad. It's either up or down. But-the most usual application when the system was designed was a cultivator, and with a cultivator all you cared for was either up or down.

Make sense?

Some simple stuff. First, drain and refill with 6 quarts of 30 wt non detergent motor oil. (Auto Zone). Second, the oil drain cap should have a hole in it to breathe. Unplug it with an ice pick. If someone has replaced the original breather cap with a pipe cap, Drill a 1/16 hole in it. Third, spend a little money on some new hydraulic hoses. Don't ask how I know this. If it leaks, and it probably will, there is a seal in the back of the pump (lift-all). Good Luck, Ellis