10W40 Oil Versus Hydraulic Fluid--Again

[SnowRidge]

Not to stir up the old controversy too greatly, but take a look at this link.

 

[MuncyBob]

Interesting...but I'm still confused. I guess while my machine is still under waranty there's no room for discussion for me...but after that do I flush and replace the mutli weight motor oil with hyrdo oil??? I dunno! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif The more I read the more confused I get! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[SnowRidge]

You are not alone, Farmall140. If I am deciphering all that correctly, it seems to boil down to:

1. Multi viscosity oil is good. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

2. Detergent oil is bad. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

3. You can't buy non-detergent multi viscosity oil. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

4. No matter what we do, we're wrong. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[Bob999]

A data point--I have a John Deere skid steer--1995 vintage. The hydro fluid recommendation from the manufacturer is 10w 30 motor oil--detergent motor oil.

A second data point--a Toro "Z" series mower. The hydraulic fluid is Mobil 1. A detergent synthetic oil.

I think that many modern hydraulic systems are designed to be used with detergent oils. My understanding is that PT uses multi viscosity detergent motor oil for its hydraulic systems. From comments on this board I gather that the specific viscosity varies--I can't tell if it is by time, model, or some combination of those two. I do know that the labeling on my PT 1845 calls for 10w 40 or 15w 40 motor oil.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

My Exmark hydrostatic walk behind also uses Mobil 1.

As I have posted several times before, I asked Terry to check specifically with the hydraulic engineers at PT about Amsoil synthetic Tractor Hydraulic Fluid. He reported back that Power Trac Hydraulic systems would love the stuff. It isn't specified by Power Trac because of the expense.

 

[MossRoad]

Has anyone every seen foaming in there PT hydraulic reservoir? I have opened my cap a few times after long periods of operation and have never seen any foaming. So, the detergent isn't causing that problem in mine, yet. I am thinking of switching out the hydraulic oil before next winter. It will be 3 years and about 200 hours at that time. I am thinking of going synthetic at that time. It will cost $$$ but it is a little amount compared to the overall operating cost of the unit and from what I've read, I feel it will extend the life of the components over the dino oil.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

<font color="red"> I feel it will extend the life of the components over the dino oil.
</font>

But are you sure your great grandchildren will need it to be in running condition? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Yes, I would like to leave it to my children. I doubt it will last that long, like an old classic tractor, but who knows? If I keep the hydraulics clean, change filters often and keep everything lubed, I can modify it to my hearts content over the years. What the kids get will surely be different than what I bought, but it will be an awsome, one of a kind machine! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[FOURTEEN]

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Gee, let's see, the name of this stuff ( www.amsoil.com/products/ath.html ) is Synthetic TRACTOR HYDRAULIC/Transmission Oil so that should work great in my MOTOR!!

And even though this stuff ( www.amsoil.com/products/tso.html ) is called Series 2000 Synthetic 0W-30 MOTOR Oil I'm sure that the manufacturer designed this to go in the HYDRAULICS!!!!

Now that wasn't so hard!!!


Now, all I have to do is figure out how many quarts of ATF I need to change the grease in the radiator!!!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MuncyBob]

And the sticker on the hydro resevoir states 5-30w only...but the owners manual states 10-40w motor oil.......confused again! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif