I have a small fluid drip from the back of my 1956 fordson major (at pto shaft ) is this a big job? & could it cause leak between gearbox & back axle.

Sounds as if the input shaft seal for the hydraulic pump that is driven off the transmission is bad and allowing the fluid to enter the transmission housing. When the fluid gets too full it aerates and causes the "root beer float" fluid.

Check the axle shaft seals where the two drive axles enter the transaxle. If leaking there the axle will have to be removed to replace the seal.
Look at the bottom pan of transaxle. If leaking from pan gasket, the pan will have to be removed and transmission drained to replace pan gasket.
There is a transaxle main shaft seal on the front of transaxle, hidden by the bellhousing that mounts to rear of engine.. If the shaft seal is leaking, fluid will be dripping from bottom of bellhousing, and when inspection cover is removed, fluid will be evident inside the bellhousing.
Check also the transmission fluid cooling lines, where the two lines exit the transaxle case, and go to front of car to an external cooler mounted in front of radiator, or going into a separate reservoir in the radiator.

check and see if seal is damaged then try to push the axle back in you may have just popped out the axle from transmission if your lucky

It depends a little on what the temperature is outside. I think I normally run a 10w in my backhoe.

what hydraulic fluid are you trying to add gearbox of the lifting gear ?? if the lifting gear i think its under the engine cover but its been 40 yrs since i done one

hi.

it is quite possible that the shaft has not reseated properly.
there is usually a spring clip on the inner shaft that holds the end in place. this may not have engaged properly (it just pushes in) or it may have become damaged and is allowing the shaft to come back out. it may just be a case of tapping the joint back into the housing, but it needs to be checked quickly. the oils is an obvious concern. you do not want to loose the oil in the gearbox as this can cause the gearbox to seize up. another problem is the risk of the shaft coming out of the trans completely, losing drive to the wheels, and possibly jamming itself.
this should be taken back to the person who did the job and ask them to look at it again.

hope this helps

fine out were the leak is???? if its leaking out a drive shaft there are oil seals on them that can be changed from the out side if its coming out the frount gearbox oil seal it will be running out the bell housing,,, big job to fix,,,thats a gearbox out job?

If what you see leaking is very oily and does not evaporate, likely it is an axle seal. If there are no leaks in the brake system, that's the only thing back there that can leak. If the axle bearing is going away, it can damage the seal so make sure you look for small shiny metal flakes behind the seal when you replace it or you will be doing the job again very soon. Can't remember...that IS rear wheel drive right?

checking the transmission fluid involves lifting the vehicle and removing a plug on the transmission, it is quite difficult and messy if you don't have access to a lift, the vehicle has to be level and at operating temperature in park, there is a small plug on the side of the transmission near the passenger axle shaft. remove the plug slowly, i believe it is an 11mm bolt, if fluid drips out, the level is ok, if no fluid comes out, there is a small plastic screw on cap on top of the transmission itself on the driverside near the oil filter cap, add fluid slowly untill fluid starts to drip out of the plug hole, once the fluid starts to drip, insert the plug and tighten, don't overtighten, just snug it up.!!!make sure you use the right fluid, this is important!!! i believe your fluid is dextron 6, double check in your owners manual, the use of any other fluid will cause damage!!! also, do not remove the small plug on the front of the transmission, that is the pressure plug, all the fluid will shoot out with force if that plug is removed!!!