The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

hi
Been using a rear pulley quite a bit lately so had it off and on a few times and what was a very small oil leak from the botton left retaining bolt ( as you look at it) has got worse and oil now leaks from all bolts when they are removed. besides making a mess it is wasting quite a bit of oil. I keep the oil level well topped up as i often use a rear mounted digger as well but not above the level hole. Clearly it should not do this, i also keep meaning to tackle my inoperable diff lock so if i have to drain oil for one i might as well do both jobs. Any ideas as to what it is/ what to look for and degree of difficulty - i make no claims as an engineer and have a good basic tool kit

Hi,

There are bosses cast in the axle casing into which the bolts you refer to are screwed, these bosses are in the shape of a top hat the ends being closed. If oil is leaking from these holes it is probably because the bolts have been too long and as a result have forced their way through the casting so allowing oil to leak out.

If this is the case, the only cure is to fit studs which would not require to be removed in order to fit the pulley, which in turn would be secured with nuts and washers.

The above also applies to the holes on the bottom of the axle casing into which the setscrews for the draw bar are screwed.

Gerald.

thanks for that - at least i know what to expect. would i be able to see them if the trumpet is removed? if so could i plug them then shorten the bolts?

Think Gerald has told you the simplest and easiest way. A stud will hold better than any plug and you would always be likely to push the plug out again.