HyGuard J20C Trans fluid

[Kernopelli]

Time for trans fluid and filter change on my Z930A. I have ordered the filters and am wondering about J20C compatible oil. High Viscosity HyGuard is $25 gallon at local dealer and I need 4.5qts so it's $50 just for fluid/ $140 total to do the 300hr trans service myself. I DO NOT want to cheap out when it comes to these drives but at the same time, it's hard to believe there isn't a quality substitute for Deere's J20C. Anyone had proven results with another brand?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I use that JD oil in everything. I once saw a whole show (on C band) about JD oil and I am convinced of the quality. A sucker? Yeah, maybe. Look at the VW (and other makes) emissions scandal. Maybe JD buys their oil at Walmart! lol

Anyone can say anything they want it seems. Good Marketing is what it's all about. You would need extensive testing to determine the wear in one tranny over another using different oils. Almost impossible.

 

[LouNY]

If it meets or exceeds the JD J20C spec it will be fine, not recommended for but labeled as meeting or exceeding.

 

[Missouri Lad]

WOW!... You are paying way too much for a gallon of TY354 J20C Hy-Gard transmission oil. My dealer charges me $13.92 gal. Yea, those filters are $44.95 ea. I did my own just few months ago. Roughly one hour of labor on my part. Dealer probably charges $160.00 for the labor.

 

[jgayman]

Time for trans fluid and filter change on my Z930A. I have ordered the filters and am wondering about J20C compatible oil. High Viscosity HyGuard is $25 gallon at local dealer and I need 4.5qts so it's $50 just for fluid/ $140 total to do the 300hr trans service myself.

That price seems a bit high. JD Parts shows the following pricing on Hy-Gard:

Part Number: TY6354
Part Price: 17.04 USD Each
On Hand: 108 (Supplier Direct - Contact your dealer for availability) Check Other Stores
Description: HY-Gard - HY-GARD HYD/TRANS 1 GAL;3.78L

If they are over charging you for the fluid I suspect you are also paying too much for the filters as well. The hydraulic filter kit is $44.63 ea. It's a shame they don't sell quarts of HyGard like they do Lo-Vis HyGard then you wouldn't have to buy 8 quarts to get the 4.5 qts that you need.

BTW, according to the Operator's Manual there isn't a transmission service required until 500 hrs. Here is what is listed for 300 hrs:

Every 300 Hours
• Check and adjust valve clearance.
• Check and adjust clutch air gap if applicable (see dealer).

Every 500 Hours
• Grease Return to Neutral (RTN) bearing block.
• Check and adjust park brake (Annually or hour meter reading, whichever comes first).
• Change transmission oil and filter (Every 500 Hours after Initial Break In).

 

[Kernopelli]

That price seems a bit high. JD Parts shows the following pricing on Hy-Gard:

Part Number: TY6354
Part Price: 17.04 USD Each
On Hand: 108 (Supplier Direct - Contact your dealer for availability) Check Other Stores
Description: HY-Gard - HY-GARD HYD/TRANS 1 GAL;3.78L

If they are over charging you for the fluid I suspect you are also paying too much for the filters as well. The hydraulic filter kit is $44.63 ea. It's a shame they don't sell quarts of HyGard like they do Lo-Vis HyGard then you wouldn't have to buy 8 quarts to get the 4.5 qts that you need.

BTW, according to the Operator's Manual there isn't a transmission service required until 500 hrs. Here is what is listed for 300 hrs:

Every 300 Hours
Check and adjust valve clearance.
Check and adjust clutch air gap if applicable (see dealer).

Every 500 Hours
Grease Return to Neutral (RTN) bearing block.
Check and adjust park brake (Annually or hour meter reading, whichever comes first).
Change transmission oil and filter (Every 500 Hours after Initial Break In).

I paid $89.26 for 2 filters (Ebay) which was as cheap as I could find them. In all fairness to my local dealer, I called yesterday to confirm they had 1 gallon jugs of J20C in stock and I asked about price as well. He told me that off the top of his head he thought it was somewhere between $18-$23 gal. (+9.75% sales tax), I didn't press him to look it up. I just assumed I could expect it to be the high end of the range.

My manual says the same thing on service intervals " Change transmission oil and filter (Every 500 Hours after Initial Break In) The manual says that initial break in is "After First 300 Hours" for first trans oil and filter change.

 

[Oldoak]

"It's a shame they don't sell quarts of HyGard like they do Lo-Vis HyGard then you wouldn't have to buy 8 quarts to get the 4.5 qts that you need."

Yep, I just went through that when changing the hydraulic fluid in my JD 855D. I thought it was just my local JD dealer that didn't stock HY-GARD J20C, but apparently not.

It appears to be a JD corporate marketing scam. It's really aggravating, I don't like keeping open containers of oil around for a couple of years until it's time for another oil change.

 

[arlen4720]

I would probably just dump in a 1/2 quart of low vis to top it off.

 

[Deere Dude]

Time for trans fluid and filter change on my Z930A. I have ordered the filters and am wondering about J20C compatible oil. High Viscosity HyGuard is $25 gallon at local dealer and I need 4.5qts so it's $50 just for fluid/ $140 total to do the 300hr trans service myself. I DO NOT want to cheap out when it comes to these drives but at the same time, it's hard to believe there isn't a quality substitute for Deere's J20C. Anyone had proven results with another brand?

Are you sure it is High Viscosity Hy-Gard? I have a CUT and have had larger JD garden tractors for decades and they all call for Lo-Vis. Hi vis can be used for higher temps extremes supposedly, but I used Lo-Vis for everything in Wisconsin weather and also Tennessee weather with never a problem. I have heard of people switch to High Vis only to change back to KLo vis because of irregularities in operation.

I just bought a few gallons of Lo-Vis for $13 and change at a JD dealer so would imagine Hi Vis would be the same. They sell that oils through Walmart on line a couple bucks cheaper also.

I always have a couple gallons of oil laying around for emergency uses, so buying a little extra never seems to be a problem for me, as long as I don't get scalped on the price in the first place.

 

[Missouri Lad]

I changed my Transmission fluid at 325 hours, as it states to change after the break-end period. The next change is due at 500 hours.
I bought only the one gallon of JD6354 J20C. Now, about that 1/3-1/2 quart that is needed to top off the tank. I used a "coffee filter" and a quart fruit jar and used about half quart of the old (removed from transmission) and strained it. This taken roughly half hour and added this to the transmission reservoir tank to top off the system. I figured this small amount of old fluid wouldn't hurt the transmission.

 

[Kernopelli]

Are you sure it is High Viscosity Hy-Gard?

Yeah, the manual says "John Deere High Viscosity Hy-Gard (J20C)..... Do not mix oils. Do not use type F automatics transmission fluid, J20D Low Viscosity Hy-Gard, or Bio Hy-Gard".

 

[Missouri Lad]

I just went out to the garage and looked at the one gallon (TY6354) container label, and it doesn't say anywhere it is High Viscosity oil. Just Transmission and Hydraulic Oil. I have JD345 tractor that runs with TY22035 Low Viscosity Hy-Gard oil. Two different types.

 

[Gator6x4]

I use John Deere Hy-Gard oil in John Deere Equipment and the Kubota Super hydraulic fluid in Kubota equipment.

That is my equipment though. I am a firm believer that if a person wants to use, used motor oil in their own equipment, let them do so.

 

[beenthere]

Here is a chart by Deere about their oils.. trans oil begins on p 10

https://jdparts.deere.com/partsmkt/document/english/featbene/DKD1801OilGuide.pdf

May help with the confusion..

 

[Missouri Lad]

I'm sure we all know that John Deere "doesn't" own a oil refinery, and has no faculty to make their own oils. John Deere may say they engineer their own oils and have a refinery to make it by their specs. Given that may be a fact, they still have someone to make the oils and chances are it may be a brand that is sold over the counter in some automobile stores or elsewhere. It turns out to be same as 10-W-30 oil



Hy-Gard oil can be used in most transmission and hydraulic
applications calling for 10W-30 or 5W-30 engine oil.
NOTE: Hy-Gard should be used in all applications calling
for JDM J20C.
–– Low-Viscosity Hy-Gard should be used in all applications
calling for JDM J20D.
–– Low-Viscosity Hy-Gard and Hy-Gard are compatible with
JDM J21A hydrostatic fluid and can be added to systems that
contain hydrostatic fluid.

 

[beenthere]

Mo Lad
You don't have a clue what JD does in their oil labs. And should look into the companies that they do own... 'nuff said.

 

[Oldoak]

Yeah, the manual says "John Deere High Viscosity Hy-Gard (J20C)..... Do not mix oils. Do not use type F automatics transmission fluid, J20D Low Viscosity Hy-Gard, or Bio Hy-Gard".

Well you certainly can't go wrong by following what the owner's manual specifies. :thumbsup:

 

[jgayman]

Are you sure it is High Viscosity Hy-Gard? I have a CUT and have had larger JD garden tractors for decades and they all call for Lo-Vis.

The Z930A operator's manual is pretty clear about the oil:

Transmission and Hydraulic Oil
NOTE: Tractor is filled with John Deere Hy-Gard (J20C) transmission oil at the factory.



Do not mix oils.

Do not use type "F"automatic transmission fluid, J20D Low Viscosity Hy-Gard or Bio Hy-Gard.

 

[Deere Dude]

Well you certainly can't go wrong by following what the owner's manual specifies. :thumbsup:

I was going back and forth, regular hygard or lo vis, because the owners manual says it would use either, depending on the temperature, and because I heard of problems going to regular hygard. The JD service guy said to us regular. I was going to check the oil level on my JD CUT and noticed on the dipstick engraved, "Lo Vis Hy Gard." So O stuck with what was in already.

 

[jgayman]

I just went out to the garage and looked at the one gallon (TY6354) container label, and it doesn't say anywhere it is High Viscosity oil. Just Transmission and Hydraulic Oil. I have JD345 tractor that runs with TY22035 Low Viscosity Hy-Gard oil. Two different types.

That is correct. The "normal viscosity" Hy-Gard is just labelled "Hy-Gard".