JD450 transmission leaks?

I spent yesterday cleaning the machine prior to working on the engine tomorrow. I was underneath the machine this afternoon looking at an oil leak that appears to be coming from the HLR transmission casing. Just in front of the drain plug, about two inches away towards the front, there are two small drilled holes in the casing about 1/8" diameter. One of these holes was dripping oil. I have looked through the manual and cannot find any referance to these holes. Are they supposed to be there? If they are, are they indicating holes to show a leaking seal or similar problem. The don't look as if they should be there to me. I couldn't see them before with the belly pans on and full of dirt/mud/old oil etc.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

J.

I had another look today and found not two holes but three. It is obvious that someone has drilled the other two. All holes are in the clutch houseing close to the end wall by the transmission. It is possible that the original hole got pplugged for reason, however it is my suspicion that a previous owner had a rear engine oil seal leak and din't want the bother of repairing it. I now have the same leak - rear engine seal (collected some of the oil and it was dirty, not clean as in the transmission) to replace. So out will come the engine but I expect the progress to be slow as this will be the 1st time I have worked on a JD450 overhaul.

Sorry about what might have seemed a dumb question initially, however I think I now know what is/has happened in the past.

J.

Just an update. I took the engine out today - what a performance, I had to fight every nut and bolt and more. Took the head off and found everything badly worn - so much so, that I am surprised that the engine ran at all. At the bottom of the stroke, all pistons had about 1/16" or 0.065" clearance between it and the liner walls. I could see the piston rings quite clearly. At the top of the stroke, very little clearance but a marked ridge at the combustion space. Also noticed a speckled like effect at the lower part of cylinder liners 2 and 3. I think this is where the water has been seeping in the cylinders. I haven't taken it apart any further, but am confident the liner "O" rings will be shot.Also, the rear engine seal is bad and clutch bell housing quite dirty and oily!!!

A good week of cleaning and macining etc. and then the fun starts.

Thanks for all your comments - much appreciated.

J.