First tractor for me

Hey guys,
I just bought a 1952 Ferguson TO 30. The tractor is in very good condition. I'm 50 years old and this is my first tractor. I'm needing some pointers. I want to change the oil/filter, the radiator appears to need flushed and the differential is low.
So what weight engine oil should I run and how many quarts does it hold? I live in Missouri, so our summers are high 90's and winters can sometimes dip below zero.
What about the differential? What weight and what is the capacity?I'm assuming just regular antifreeze can be used? And a pre-diluted mixture is ok to use?

Thanks!!

That pre diluted anti freeze is your best choise as you will not have to wory about getting correct mixture. Some will say it is too expencive but I dissagree with that due to ease of handling. If you were mixing 25 gallons at a time it would be different but you are talking about slightly below or above 2 gallons so getting it mixed corectly in a small batch like that is harder to do. And just a 1040 oil is great for that tractor and I buy my oil at Rual King in house brand, no need for the expencive stuff. I got rid of my TO-30 back in 69 so don't remember hydrolic oil and newer ones have come out since then. Same way with amount too long ago.

Thanks Leroy!

I'd say the first thing to do is get ahold of a manual. In this digital age, that's often very easy. I did a search for the following words and got a copy of an original TO 30 Owner's Manual in PDF format:
[color=blue:aef7f88b60][b:aef7f88b60]Ferguson TO 30 owner's manual pdf[/b:aef7f88b60][/color:aef7f88b60]

That will list the liquids and quantities and such that you'll need to know.

I had a TO-30 for a couple of years. Still kicking myself for ever getting rid of it. Was a sweet machine!

Most of us run 15w40 diesel oil in the engine. Reason is diesel oil has zinc, where gas oil doesn't. The zinc helps with flat tappet cam wear. I think it holds 5 quarts, but not sure on that.

The transmission/differential is a common oil supply. Originally it came with GL1 90w mineral oil. That will work in warm weather, but the hydraulics will be slow in cold. A good alternative is 15w40 engine oil. You don't want 90w hypoid, or automotive multigrade differential/trans oil, or Hytran. The capacity is 6 gallons, or up to the bottom of the round inspection covers. Those tractors have a history of water accumulating in the trans/differential. Check the shift boot, that's where most of the water gets in. There are 3 drain plugs, I believe, be sure to remove all and let any water drain. When refilling, either remove a side cover and pour it in there, or if filling through the trans filler plug, add very slowly. The oil has to transfer back to the rear housings. Fill it too quickly and oil will come out the input shaft seal and soak the clutch.

The steering gear also needs lube. It originally had GL1 90, but often that won't stay in. An alternative is to pump it full (to the top plug at the base of the steering tube) with NLGI 0 grade grease. It is a thin grease, thin enough not to channel away from gears, but thick enough to stay in less than perfect seals.

The regular ol' green antifreeze is fine for it.

Do yourself a big favor and buy a shop manual! They are not expensive, used ones on Ebay. It will come in very handy, pay for itself in mistakes not made!

One other thing, before getting too deep into it, just check the levels, make sure nothing harmful is happening, then go drive it around, put it through the motions. Look for leaks, listen for noises, if you have any attachments, try them out. Better to find the problems now, get an idea of what you want to invest, what needs attention. If it has to be split, you'll only want to do that once, catch all the problems while you're in there.

Keep us informed! There is also a Ferguson board (not Massey Ferguson, just Ferguson) below. Many helpful owners there.

Great little tractor, I have a '53 TO30.
btw, There is an nice 'Harry Ferguson' on the list here.

Steve ..... correct me if I'm wrong ..... SOME diesel 15w40 oils have some zinc, not all though. Discussed many times here on YT.

Its really not an issue with this tractor. Low compression engine with soft valve springs really don't need zinc. When it was new it didn't even have detergentated oil - much less zinc.

You are right, have to do some current research to find out what has it and what doesn't.

Appears more and more oils are abandoning it, EPA pressure I assume.

dhermesc, that's been my thought too, the weak springs, low lift, would never have lifter problems...

But something about the cam in the Continental Z family engines, they have tendency to pit and wear. Not sure what causes it, poor lubrication, soft cam...

And I've never owned one from new, so could be poor maintenance. Don't know if the zinc would have made a difference or not.