Milky rear end fluid
 

I've seen on other posts of 2182's where people crack open the rear end and have milky oil coming out. Was there evidence of this on the dipstick or when draining the oil from the pump drain?

Both maybe.
If you are unsure of the condition of your rear end fluid just change it and the filter. It's cheap insurance and then you will know.

I would except I have a rear pto so it's a bit more involved than just removing the back plate. So I wondered if when you drain it through the drain plug, it shows it being milky. If it comes out looking ok from the drain plug, then can I assume it doesn't need to be opened from the rear end?

milky means it has water moisture in it.
Pulling the drain for a half second will tell you if there is water (milky or actual water will come out first).
If only fluid comes out then put drain plug back in quick.

Ok, that's what I thought. I saw somewhere else that the wheel bearings/axles can condensate and hold moisture in them and most people drill holes to let the fluid drain back out. Do the axles need to be removed to get the moisture out of those or will the oil just drain back into the reservoir without the drain holes?

It will not drain, thus the need for the holes. If it would drain without them, why would there be a need to drill them??
The axles have to be removed to drill the holes.

If you drain it through the plug and it's milky you could always fill it with cheap fluid and run it till it's hot and drain it again, if you drain it while it's still hot you should get most of it out. Then you can install a new filter and good fluid.

Except what is in the axle cavity.

The rest is will work. :beerchug:

Just pull all that non-essential PTO and 3 point set up and send it to me. Then you can get into the rear end easier.....:beerchug:

My son and I tore down a 2072 rear a while back. First the fluid at the bottom was a milky white indicating moisture. We then took the axle housings off and found about a half a quart of water in there. After a thorough clean up we drilled the holes to allow the trapped axle fluid to drain back into the rear. Runs great now.