Gearbox trouble on 56 FMD

If the noise is caused by a worn bearing, shouldn´t it make that noise in third gear, too?
A friend, who had bought a new FMD in the ´50ies, said that his one did it from the day he bought it and it is normal for this tractor.

I´ve changed the lubricant and there were no metalpieces or other signs of a damaged gearbox in it.

I bought the tractor two years ago and the noise didn´t get loader or changed anyhow.
A worn ballbearing would get louder rapidly and produce metal splinters, wouldn´t it?

Any experiences or ideas?

Many thanx Thomas

Think you have answered your own question. remember that this is a "proper" gear box with gears meshing with gears when you stir the stick and not one of these "namby-pamby" collar shifts.

Seriously though, the box always was noisy and it got worse with the "New Performance" Supers when they changed the gear tooth profile.

The gear box will also seem noisy it you are running 20/30W oil or multi purpose oil in it. Ford reccomended these oils for all their tractors right back to 1952 but it does increase the noise level somewhat.

If you have checked and have no metal in the oil and the noise did not suddenly start, or if you have not been running around with the handbrake on, I would not think you have any need to worry.

I have just finished a bit of ploughing with my 1952 petrol/kerosene Major and my ears are still ringing:0)

regards

Brian