Anyone with a B7800 using Deere trans oil?

sixdogs · Apr 12, 2010

I have a B7800 I bought new so it came with SUDT in the HST. I now want to change it and substitute J.Deere trans fluid because of price and convenience . I know this is OK but has anyone with a B7800 (or close) done this and noticed any performance difference? All I do is mow the grass with it and occasionaly run a sprayer.
There are so many conflicting posts on this it's difficult to search.

kuboman · Apr 12, 2010

I haven't used Deere's but I use Case/IH hytran which is equivalent to Deere's fluid. No problems no difference. I have 19 different machines I use and maintain all the way from 15hp to 400hp and I use the Hytran in all of them with never a problem.
I would not hesititate for a second to use deeres fluid.

art · Apr 13, 2010

I've never known deere's fluid to test or be as good as the Case-IH fluids. I do prefer the Kubota fluid in that application but the Cse-IH is my second choice or at least equivelent to UDT.

sixdogs · Apr 13, 2010

Can anyone notice a difference in HST performance or whine or whatever with one fluid as opposed ot SUDT or UDT?

Farmerford · Apr 13, 2010

I have used John Deere HyGard (or the prior version whatever it was called that met J20C) in Kubotas B2400, L2900, and L4330 (for over 10 years in the L2900) and have had no problem. That does not mean they will not fall apart tomorrow, but JD has made many times the machines that Kubota has, and certainly machines subject to harder use (farm tractors and construction equipment, like my JD 455D crawler loader that also uses HyGard). JD says HYGard meets the requirements of UDT and SUDT, and it seems unlikely they would risk the liability (and embarrassment) of being wrong just to get that market.

sixdogs · Apr 13, 2010

The quality is there and there is no problem using any of these trans fluids.....but I have read on this board some guys thought the HST "felt better" and performed smoother with less of gear whine with the Kubota stuff. This doesn't sound logical to me so I figured to ask just for the heck of it. I guess I'll be fine with it.
Thanks for taking the time to answer.

art · Apr 14, 2010

We are a bit colder here then you are and it is noticeable here more so in the winter. Any time something is whining more there is a problem. Sometimes it restrictions in the filter as they might use to fine of a paper. Sometimes it is the oil viscosity that is being used and there are differences there which is why my preference as an alternative fluid being the Case IH Hytran.

Lawsuits on the oil is another ball game, who is your market and would you not be cutting your nose off to spite your face? We've been there with that question and the response was quite long as to why not sue. On the other hand, if the equipment is out of warrantee and it has a failure then it's not a problem to the manufacturer.

We've had wholesalers tell us we need to sell more low end equipment to enhance our shop work and parts business!!!! Much the same as the oils that only partially protect you but you still might be able to get by with out a failure. But then again?