10-30 oil for splitter fluid?

[wesmann]

Just bought an old splitter. The owner had the manual. It calls for 10-30 motor oil for the hydraulic fluid. Is this a good choice? Is there a better choice?
Thanks

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would use what the manual calls for. Now that being said I have a Chinese Tractor that also calls for 10W30 for the hydraulics but all the dealers I talked to said to run AW32 hydro oil in it which I have done since new in 2003 and have not had a single issue.

Chris

 

[ovrszd]

I've never tried it but my concern would be that detergent oil might foam badly.

 

[MossRoad]

Power Trac tractors come from the factory with motor oil in the hydraulics. Mine came with 10W40 and I have been running it for 9 years. It never foams and seems to be as clean as the day I bought it. Only 400 hours, though.

 

[AKKAMAAN]

Just bought an old splitter. The owner had the manual. It calls for 10-30 motor oil for the hydraulic fluid. Is this a good choice? Is there a better choice?
Thanks

The only problem I see with engine oil in a hydraulic system, it is more expensive....at least in Sweden.....the simplest 10w/30 is 25$ per gallon....

Mineral based motor oil mix good with mineral based hydraulic oil...

I have used (mixed), in emergency, 10w/30 into 32, in mobile hydraulic systems, and never had a problem.

 

[glastron23]

I use 10/30 in all the wood splitters and the wood processor i've built. we have yet to have any problems, some say that the detergents in the oil is no good for the system because of the cleaning ability??? I can see this if you change from ISO/AW type to motor oil but something that has it from day one then no it's not a problem. One of the main reasons for me is that the engine and hydraulics use the same product so if anyone borrows it their is no fear of some one not knowing what oil to use.
Back in 84 when working for an International Harvester heavy equipment dealer we were instructed by IH to change all the dozers and loaders to 10/30.
In my shop we use aw16, aw32, aw64, atf, Univis J13, 2 types of bio degradable and synthetics. For my units it's 10/30. Jim

 

[Soundguy]

Just bought an old splitter. The owner had the manual. It calls for 10-30 motor oil for the hydraulic fluid. Is this a good choice? Is there a better choice?
Thanks

it'd probably run on any oil thinner than gear oil.

I got plenty of heavy equipment from the 60's and 70's that specs 30w and 40w engine oil in the tranny.

use what the book says or a utf fluid and sleep good.

soundguy

 

[Opti-Mist]

FWIW in the 50's we used straight 20 weight for some hydraulic systems. Later on hydraulic oils were indeed 10W30 engine oils with anti-foam and anti-squack additives. I'd try the 10W30 and watch for foaming. I don't think I'd be too concerned about other issues. That said, you won't harm anything by purging your splitter system and using a universal hydraulic oil.

 

[J_J]

Just bought an old splitter. The owner had the manual. It calls for 10-30 motor oil for the hydraulic fluid. Is this a good choice? Is there a better choice?
Thanks

Use the motor oil, it works good and last a long time.