'52 Ford 8N hydraulic oil selection, universal or SAE 90?

[ben2go]

I am looking at two different hydraulic oils with wildly varying prices. According to their specs, either will work. I know that everyone recommends SAE 90 for N tractors. That's currently $99 for three 2 gallon containers. I can't find it in a five gallon pail. The other is Traveller Premium Universal hydraulic tractor fluid. It's $50 for a five gallon pail. Here is my problem. My tractor sits in a shed with a gravel floor. This winter alone, October until now end of March, it has collected over a gallon of condensate water from temp changes. We have had a lot of temp swings, unusual snow/ice events, and such. There is no water running under, or standing under, the tractor shed. The shed is vented. The ground here just stays wet, even during the driest winters. The engine oil picked up almost a quart and a half of water sitting over winter. I do an annual oil/filter change on the engine. This tractor only sees around 50 to 60 hours of use per year, max. Is it really worth the extra $50 every year to use SAE 90 over the universal oil? This tractor mows and occasionally does some back blade work, backed up by a dirt scoop. It doesn't use ground engaging implements like plows.

 

[masscity]

I had a Ford 9n and now I own a 1958 Ferguson TO-35, I used M2134D in both. It's for older tractors with brass in the transmissions.

 

[Forky]

I use universal farm store brand here with no problems in my 8N.

 

[RayIN]

Off-topic; When your oils get that much condensate in them, before starting engine, simply unscrew the drain plug enough for it to drip. When oil begins dripping out, tighten drain plug. Liquid weights does the rest.
The old H.Fergusons had 2 trans/diff drain plugs, I assume Ford did too.

 

[ben2go]

Off-topic; When your oils get that much condensate in them, before starting engine, simply unscrew the drain plug enough for it to drip. When oil begins dripping out, tighten drain plug. Liquid weights does the rest.
The old H.Fergusons had 2 trans/diff drain plugs, I assume Ford did too.

There are three drain plugs, but they still do not drain all of the oil out of the rear axle, hyds, and transmission. They all mix with one another. So all the water doesn't drain out using that method. I'm not sure how much water would be left or if it would cause damage. Could work. This year there is more water than most other years. I'll probably remove the tops and clean everything out. Axle seals were replaced in 2023 and everything was cleaned out then.