Ford 3000 with front mounted hydraulic pump

jdharris5 · Dec 18, 2012

I recently purchased a Ford 3000 with loader that is driven by a front mounted hydraulic pump. The fluid reservoir is a rectangular box mounted on the right side in front of the loader controls. The box has only about 1 inch of fluid in the bottom of the box. The loader seems to work OK. My question is - what is the proper level of fluid in this box. I am planning to put in a new filter and drain and replace the fluid in the box but I can't find any level indicator.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks.

JD

HakanTh · Dec 19, 2012

Front mounted pump is a good arrangement. Better flow and you do not have to interfere with the internal hydraulics. Nice tractor as well.

The proper level is impossible to determine without examining the tank. Generally, the more oil in the tank, the better. With a small amount of oil in the tank the oil is not cooled properly and is "worn out" faster. Nothing of that is good for the system.

So the generic answer would be: 'Put one-way cylinders in and fill as much as possible'.
What is possible depends on things in the tank such as baffles and arrangements for in-/outlet, filtration and ventilation.

lhfarm · Dec 19, 2012

I had a 64 Ford 4000 with a front mounted pump. I think my reservoir had a little dip stick on it, but can't remember for sure. In any case, I'd post to the hydraulic forum. I'm sure the guys there can help you figure out how to top off the tank.

Good luck!

jdharris5 · Dec 19, 2012

Thanks

Soundguy · Dec 20, 2012

forget the hyd forum. you are asking a question that cannot be answered in any better way than hakan did.

all SA cyls collapsed. then fill tank to 75-80% to allow for heat expansion.

DA cyl's are almost* oil neutral with reguards to volume. SA cyls ar ethe ones that change the sump volume. with them collapsed, sump is at it's most full.

Again. hakan already stated this.