Well the time came to try and assess the situation and attempt this trans OCI.
My good friend [metallurgist, machinist ] and I inspect the underside of said trans... confidence is good...looks like we can drop the bottom pan, catch as much oil as possible, drill / tap the proper spots, re-apply gasket sealer and reinstall.... bingo-boom....!!
Ha... not so fast Kemosabe..!!
We dropped the pan...spill gobs of fluid on the ramp...
and start cleaning procedure, start inspecting trans from underneath, remove lone magnet, and then................. one horseshoe style clip drops ...
Uh-oh...!!
Ok so we decide to move the tractor back in the shed...........
>> then half the trans falls to the floor...................
O_O
time for lunch and a break... drill / tap the lower pan - install new drain plugs..
watch YouTube videos and identify all parts that dropped..... and quickly realize that nothing will happen with the tractor on all 4 wheels..... this trans needs to be upside-down in order to reassemble,,,, Oy..!!!
Best and quick /simple option; grab the tractor by the front bumper bar... raise tractor to a SpaceShuttle launch position and stabilize... i wish I took pics.. but stress level were predominant, shall we say...
Observe and reassemble trans..... and reinstall lower pan..
Let set gasket sealer..add oil, purge trans [ which took longer than i expected..]
test drive.....
All is good...........!!
Then a few beers were consumed...
Phew..!!
Cheers
J.