303 hydraulic fluid vs engine oil?

[Rio_Grande]

MY manual says to use 30 wt diesel engine oil in my ctl70. I am due for a fluid change and I asked my dealer what fluid I should use. He advised when they change the fluid out in the units like mine they replace the engine oil with 303hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system. I trust him cause if anyone other than me works on my machine then it is him. Does this sound right?

 

[J_J]

Hyd fluid is probably cheaper, but either will work.

Depends on where you live as to the weight of the hyd fluid. You need to cover the temp range the machine will be used.

 

[Rio_Grande]

Thanks JJ I looked the hydro fluid up it is within my temp range but I couldnt verify the weight of the 303, Seems logical that 30 is 30 weight, but really not sure. I am going to look at the bucket tomorrow. There are so many trans hydro fluids anymore it is hard to tell what is what. I am going to buy the premium because it is a bit better in higher heat. I run a brush mower with this skid steer and the hydraulics get really hot.

 

[Soundguy]

premium in a utf may even be a udt..

 

[Rio_Grande]

Lol what do the abbreviations stand for?

 

[J_J]

UDT Universal Trans-Hydraulic Fluid

UTF Universal Tractor Fluid

 

[Soundguy]

utf is universal tractor fluid.. sometimes called transdraulic fluid.. etc.

udt is a kubota product.. they have a super udt premium line

Kubota UDT/SuperUDT Specifications

 

[Leejohn]

UDT is Universal Dynamic Tractor-fluid.

 

[Rio_Grande]

Thanks, this is all kinda confusing to me. I understand there is a difference between hydraulic and trans hydraulic fluid but I don't know what it is. My tractor takes trans hydraulic.looks like I will be using 303 fluid in the skid steer. My greatest concern is protecting the system as best I can. No part on this thing is reasonably priced.

 

[boggen]

just don't be putting hyd oil into the engine itself.

do not know your tractor and locations, but you may have some sort of hyd tank up in the front, then perhaps 2 places at rear, 1 for transmission, and 1 for rear end. for a total of 3 places for hyd oil. some times some of these are combined.

then 1 more place and that is the engine itself. (use engine oil for the engine)

 

[Soundguy]

Thanks, this is all kinda confusing to me. I understand there is a difference between hydraulic and trans hydraulic fluid but I don't know what it is. My tractor takes trans hydraulic.looks like I will be using 303 fluid in the skid steer. My greatest concern is protecting the system as best I can. No part on this thing is reasonably priced.

look in your manual and find out what spec oil it calls out.. then get a utf that meets that spec.. simple

 

[J_J]

He said his manual called for 30w diesel oil.

I and other Power-Trac owners use motor oil 10W-40 as the hyd fluid and have had no problems for about 16 years.

How would you match up motor oil to hyd specs? You could come close in the viscosity.

 

[Soundguy]

i'd match up viscosity.

I run a ton of old cat equipment that spec'd 30w int he trannies and hyds, and 40w in TC's

that was from the 70's

I see lots of foreign equipment still making listings like that.

IMHO..I'd find a good utf and go with it.. better package....

 

[J_J]

Rio_Grande,

Why not call the manufacturer or your dealer and get their opinion.

Things might have changed since new.

I doubt that any of us are oil specific technicians, and we are just relating out experiences.

About using motor oil as the hyd fluid in my Power-Trac, I am going to use their recommendations until convinced otherwise.

I would think that if they have to provide warranty for their product, then they would have done research for the best fluid to use. Some of us use synthetic motor oil as the hyd fluid with good results.

 

[Rio_Grande]

My dealer says they replace the motor oil with 303 I just wanted to be sure he wasn't dilusional. I would prefer to use the engine oil if it weren't double the price. Dad was throwing a fit about using the motor oil. He is convinced that motor oil is the wrong thing to put in it.

 

[Soundguy]

My dealer says they replace the motor oil with 303 I just wanted to be sure he wasn't dilusional. I would prefer to use the engine oil if it weren't double the price. Dad was throwing a fit about using the motor oil. He is convinced that motor oil is the wrong thing to put in it.

wrong? that's a toss up.

I can say it is, or used to be common. however.. there are SOOOOO many 'better' choices out there for add packages. anti wear.. corrosion, dealing with water... EP addatives.. etc.. etc.. anti foaming.. etc.. etc..

 

[J_J]

There are people everywhere that are hard set and will not change their thoughts and ways, based on what they believe.

Even though I don't like to change my ways and thoughts about something, I have to do it occasionally.

You usually use what you know until you are convinced the other way is better or just the right thing to do.

I don't believe the hyd fluid verses motor oil delima is written in stone, based on history and use.

I believe I could even use 40W motor and get away with it here in Florida.

 

[Soundguy]

i believe most power steering nad hyd systems generally would run on anything from 10w to 40w oil in our florida temps... i know guys that get cheap 10w30 and use that for everything... i don't.. but know people that do....