Ford 550 & 555 Tractor-Loader-Backhoe Service Repair Manual
This Ford 550 555 service manual is the complete factory repair manual for the Ford 550 and Ford 555 tractor-loader-backhoe, delivered as an instant-download PDF you can read on any device or print for the shop. Published by Ford Tractor Operations as manual number SE 3993, it runs 700 pages across 11 parts and carries you from engine description and operation all the way through splitting the machine for a full teardown. This is the manual dealer technicians overhauled these backhoes with, not an abbreviated owner's booklet.
Fully bookmarked by part, chapter and section. We have added a complete navigation index to this PDF, so all 11 parts, 41 chapters and 192 sections are one click away in your PDF reader's sidebar. On a 700-page manual that is the difference between finding a torque spec in five seconds and scrolling for five minutes.
About the Ford 550 and Ford 555
Ford drew the line between these two machines by production date, and the manual states it plainly in the foreword: the Model 550 designates units produced from 1975 through 3/78, and the Model 555 designates units produced 4/78 and later, running until the 555A took over in 1984. Both are built on Ford's 201 cubic-inch (3.3L) 3-cylinder engine, most commonly the diesel at roughly 57–62 horsepower, though these machines were also offered with a gasoline version of the same basic block. The 555 replaced the Ford 4500, introduced the flat-deck operator layout, and dug 14–15 feet, which is a large part of why so many are still working.
Because SE 3993 spans both models, it documents the variations that trip owners up: 555 sectional, 550 sectional and 550 monoblock backhoe main control valves, the six-speed manual reversing transmission versus the power reversing transmission, two-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive front axles, standard and extendible dipsticks, and both diesel and gasoline fuel and ignition systems. Special service instructions are flagged by model number or production date right in the text, so you are never left guessing which procedure applies to your machine. Not sure what you actually own? See our Ford 555 vs 555A vs 555B vs 555C comparison and serial number guide.
What This Ford 550 555 Service Manual Covers
The manual opens with safety precautions and a full breakdown of the vehicle identification plate (tractor serial number, model code, and the production date codes for the unit, engine, transmission, rear axle, hydraulic pump and hydraulic lift), so you can pin down exactly what you have before ordering a part. From there it is organized into 11 parts, each divided into chapters covering description and operation, detailed overhaul, and where applicable troubleshooting, specifications and special tools:
- Part 1 — Engine System: diesel and gasoline engine description and complete overhaul, cooling system service, engine troubleshooting, specifications and special tools.
- Part 2 — Fuel Systems: diesel injection pump and Thermostart, gasoline carburetor, fuel tank, lines, pump, filter and sediment bowl, injector overhaul, and air cleaner service.
- Part 3 — Electrical System: wiring schematics with production changes noted (including cab air conditioning), battery, starting motor, starter relay and safety start switch, charging system with in-vehicle output, excitation and diode tests, and the full ignition system for gasoline machines: distributor, drive, coil, plugs and wires.
- Part 4 — Clutch: free-travel linkage adjustment, removal and installation, pressure plate and cover overhaul on the clutch fixture, pilot and release bearings, release shaft, pedal and linkage.
- Part 5 — Manual Reversing Transmission: the six-forward/four-reverse gearbox, covering gearshift cover, front end, rear end and complete overhaul, plus component inspection and repair.
- Part 6 — Power Reversing Transmission: description and operation, complete overhaul, component overhaul, and a dedicated troubleshooting chapter for the power reversing unit.
- Part 7 — Rear Axle and Brakes: axle shaft assemblies, planetary reduction gears and axle housing, rear wheel brakes, differential and differential lock, drive pinion, brake pedal and cross-shaft linkage, and handbrake overhaul.
- Part 8 — Steering and Front Axle: power steering component removal and overhaul, two-wheel-drive front axle and toe-in, the front wheel drive axle with final planetary drive and wheel hub bearings, swivel pin bearings, axle shafts and differential, plus the transfer gear assembly and drive shaft.
- Part 9 — Loader, Backhoe and Hydraulics: by far the largest part of the manual. Structural members, loader and backhoe cylinders, the loader control valve, all three backhoe main control valve types (555 sectional, 550 sectional, 550 monoblock), the combination valve, the automated auto-dig control valve, the hydraulic pump, reservoir, oil cooler, filters, hoses and tubes. Component removal and installation, full overhaul, troubleshooting, mechanical adjustments and pressure testing are all here, including circuit relief, swing relief, swing cushioning and accumulated-leakage tee tests.
- Part 10 — Separating the Unit: factory procedures for removing and installing the engine, the transmission and the rear axle.
- Part 11 — Cab and Air Conditioning: cab removal and installation, cab heating system description and overhaul, air conditioning service, and troubleshooting for both.
Why This Manual Matters
A tractor-loader-backhoe is three machines bolted together, and guessing your way through a repair on any one of them gets expensive fast. This is what the factory manual gives you that a forum thread cannot:
- Real overhaul procedures, not just maintenance. Step-by-step engine, transmission, axle and hydraulic teardown with the torque figures, bearing preloads, end-play limits and shim selections Ford specified, down to gearbox ratios, lubricant capacities and Ford fluid specs like M2C85-A.
- Hydraulic troubleshooting that saves downtime. Part 9's pressure testing chapter walks you through pump performance, main and circuit relief valve settings for each valve type, and accumulated-leakage tests. That is the fastest way to prove whether you have a tired pump, a leaking cylinder, or a worn valve spool before you spend money.
- Coverage for the exact variant you own. Monoblock or sectional valve, manual or power reversing transmission, 2WD or front-wheel drive, standard or extendible dipstick, diesel or gasoline. Each is called out separately rather than averaged together.
- Wiring you can actually follow. Complete schematics with production changes noted, so a no-start or charging fault becomes a test sequence instead of a parts-replacement guessing game.
- The big jobs made possible. Part 10's separating procedures are essential for clutch, transmission and rear-axle work you simply cannot reach any other way.
- Support for a machine the dealer network left behind. These backhoes are now forty-plus years old and the factory manual is the most reliable service reference that still exists for them.
Manual No. SE 3993  | 700 pages  | Format: Instant digital download (PDF)
Download Details
- Instant PDF download after purchase, no shipping and no waiting
- Fully bookmarked by part, chapter and section for one-click navigation through all 700 pages
- Searchable text, so you can jump straight to a torque spec, part name or symptom
- Fully printable: print the whole manual or just the pages you need at the machine
- Opens on desktop, tablet and phone
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this manual cover both the Ford 550 and the Ford 555?
Yes. Ford published SE 3993 to cover both machines. The foreword defines the Model 550 as units built 1975 through 3/78 and the Model 555 as units built 4/78 and later, and model-specific instructions are identified by model number or production date throughout the text, most noticeably in the backhoe control valve and cylinder sections.
Is the PDF bookmarked?
Yes. We built a full navigation index into this file: front matter, all 11 parts, 41 chapters and 192 individual sections, right down to items like "Backhoe Main Control Valve (Model 550 Monoblock)". Open the bookmarks or outline panel in your PDF reader and every procedure in the manual is one click away.
Will this work for a 555A, 555B, 555C or 555D?
No. This manual is written for the original 550 and 555. The later machines were substantially revised and use their own factory manuals. Check our Ford 555 models comparison guide to identify your machine before ordering.
How is this different from the operator's manual?
This is the service repair manual: full teardown, overhaul, specifications, special tools and troubleshooting written for a technician. The Ford 555 Tractor-Loader-Backhoe Operator's Manual covers day-to-day operation, controls, lubrication intervals and routine maintenance. Many owners keep both on hand.
Does it cover the gasoline engine as well as the diesel?
Yes. The engine overhaul chapter covers both, noting where the two differ, and there are dedicated sections for the gasoline fuel system including the carburetor, fuel pump and sediment bowl, plus a complete ignition system chapter covering the distributor, drive, coil, plugs and wires.
Does it include the loader, backhoe and hydraulics?
Extensively. Part 9 is a manual in its own right, covering structural members, all loader and backhoe cylinders, every control valve type used on these machines including the auto-dig valve, the hydraulic pump, and complete pressure testing and adjustment procedures.
Is this a digital or printed manual?
It is delivered as a digital PDF download. Nothing is mailed. You are free to print any or all of it yourself.
Can I read it on a phone or tablet at the machine?
Yes. The PDF opens on phones, tablets and computers, so you can pull up a torque spec or a wiring diagram in the field.