Farmall SM rearend getting warm??

HSE · Mar 3, 2009

I was plowing about 10 acres with my SM last fall. When I was finished a notice that the lower rearend housing was definitely warm and uncomfortable to touch. The transmission is full with 85-140 gear oil. The tranmission makes no strange noises. The brakes are not dragging. Any ideas if I should pull top cover and look for a bad bearing or is this normal. I have only played with this vintage of tractor, not really ever worked one in the field before. Thanks for any help!

old · Mar 3, 2009

Pretty much normal. Have you ever touched the rear end of your car or truck after you dive it say 50 miles?? It to will be good and warm
Hobby farm

scott mcintosh · Mar 3, 2009

plowing is hard work I could fry eggs on the platform our 460 farmall pulling 3+14's inch plow after hours of work.Scott

Owen Aaland · Mar 4, 2009

Operating temperature of 150 degrees F is in the normal range. That is much warmer than you would be comfortable to keep your hand on.

HSE · Mar 4, 2009

Thanks for the information! I just was wanted to make sure I should not be looking for something wrong.

Janicholson · Mar 4, 2009

I will ad to the discussion that the reason many vintage tractors today collect water in the oil is because they are not worked. The heating is very normal (maybe 5% of the engine HP gets turned into heat by viscous friction, and boundary layer shear at the gears and bearings.) As hobby and parade become the normal tractor duty the heat stays below the point of evaporating the moisture out of the oil. It is good that you noticed the temp, it is a sign that you are tuned in to the feel of the tractor. A factor often missing until parts are sticking out of the castings. JimN

Spook · Mar 4, 2009

I think anything more than 135f is hard to keep your hand on.

Haas · Mar 4, 2009

As others said, entirely normal. In my youth, I spent a lot of time plowing with an M. I quickly learned not to rest my feet on the platform. It would blister your feet through the soles of your shoes!!

scotc · Mar 4, 2009

just look at the punkin after driving in a rain storm. On the big truck the guages say the rear diff runs about 150 and the front diff runs about 180 but it also has the power divider sharing its oil.

Farmall SM rearend getting warm??

HSE

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old

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scott mcintosh

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Owen Aaland

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HSE

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Janicholson

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Spook

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Haas

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scotc

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