CAM2 PROMAX Premium Universal Tractor Hydraulic Fluid. Any Good??

timebak · Tuesday at 3:08 AM

In my Rural King RK37SC, I've always used the Rural King Providence store brand of "Premium Trans-Hydraulic Oil, Multi-Trac Formula for Use In Most Applications" which meets the John Deere J20C spec and many other specs, and costs about $15 per gallon. But they also sell "CAM2 PROMAX Premium Universal Tractor Hydraulic Fluid", which also meets the John Deere J20C spec and many other specs, but costs around $9 per gallon. Is this CAM2 Hydraulic Fluid just as good as the RK Providence Hydraulic Oil?

RjCorazza · Tuesday at 7:01 AM

The problem with tractor hydraulic / transmission fluid is that there are no industry wide standards like in engine oils and API certifications. You are relying on the manufacturer's claim of suitability for use in various applications.
If you have had good service using the RK branded fluid, I would personally stick with that rather than shopping the lowest price.

timebak · Tuesday at 12:10 PM

I was not aware of the lack of industry-wide standards for tractor trans/hydraulic fluid. Thank you for that! Since Rural King uses their store brand fluids when they service tractors and I've had nothing but good service using their store brand fluids myself, I think I'll stick with them. That low price on the CAM2 fluid was waving some red flags in my gut that something was probably amiss.

My old JD 2030 is a "leaker" so I go through a fair amount of fluid when I use it, so I was looking to save some money in the short term until I tear into it this fall and fix all the leaks, and also long term in both tractors at regular maintenance intervals.

Reminds me of a saying my Dad used when the price of something was suspiciously low: "That's too much sugar for a dime."

JTKub · Tuesday at 2:02 PM

TYM doesn't call for any specific OEM oil/fluids what so ever in the owner's manual, so I'd imagine CAM2 Promax universal tractor fluid would be more that sufficient. The main thing is keeping a proper level and changing it. Like your typical oil thread, you'll get a ton of opinions!