Do I really need to use JD Hy-Gard fluid?

[Pushing_Tin]

So I had a little event out in the woods that ripped off one of my hydraulic lines spilling/spraying about 2 gallons of fluid everywhere. I was able to repair it and get it back to my house. The dipstick shows the fluid at the very lowest level of the low mark.

When I was ordering parts from my local dealer he was adamant about using only JD hydro fluid, so my question for the experts is does it really matter? Is it any different than what I would buy at the Kubota dealer or Wal-Mart? This is not a money issue, it's a time issue. The JD is a good amount of driving where the Kubota dealer is 5 minutes from work. If it really makes a difference I will take a trip there, but if not I'd rather save the driving.

 

[AKfish]

Well... I'd have concerns about "dissimilar" hydraulic fluids mixing well. I recognize that the standards/specifications for Kubota and off-the-shelf at Walmart have to match the specs demanded by Deere in your owner's manual.

But, the anti-foaming agents and rust inhibitors, etc. may not be equivalent in the different fluids.

If you're going to drain everything and change the filter - that'd be OK. Just adding enough to fill the sump - I don't think I'd do that with my $30K investment!

AKfish

 

[Tx Jim]

I agree with AKfish on not mixing brands of oil.

 

[greg_g]

From the John Deere website:
Hy-Gard may be used when the following oils are specified:
AGCO Massey Ferguson: M-1135, M-1141, M1143, M-1139
AGCO White Farm: Q-1722, Q-1766, Q-1766B, Q-1802, Q-1826
Allis-Chalmers, Deutz-Allis, AGCO-Allis: Power Fluid 821XL
Case: MS-1207, MS-1209, MS-1210
Caterpillar: TO-2
Clark: MS-68
John Deere: All Weather Hydrostatic Fluid (JDMJ21A)
Deutz: Transmission-Hydraulic Fluid
Dresser: Transmission-Hydraulic Fluid (HMS B806-0002)
Eaton Hydraulics Div: Hyd. Transmission (Form 3-401-123)
Ford/New Holland: ESN-M2C41-B, M2C134-D, M2C48-B, M2C48-C, M2C86-C, FNHA-2C-200, FNHA-2C-201
IHC: B-6
Kubota: UDT Hydraulic/Transmission Fluid
Oliver: Type 55
Sundstrand: Hydrostatic Transmission
Zetor: OT-H, GL-4
ZF: Te-ML03E, 06D, 06E

So if Hy-Gard is ok to use in these applications, turn-about is fair play. But it's really only a matter of reading the label to see if the fluid meets or exceeds the JD720 spec. If your tractor takes regular Hy-Gard, that's JD720C. If it takes low viscosity Hy-Gard it's JD720D

//greg//

 

[Verticaltrx]

Since your tractor is a hydrostatic you really need to stick with the low viscosity Hy-Gard they recommend. I don't know if the Kubota SUDT is comparable or not, but I wouldn't risk it. And do not under any circumstance put 'cheap' fluid from the auto parts store, farm store, etc in it. Some of those really cheap oils have some bad additives in them that can wreck seals, ruin wet brakes, etc. We had to go through and replace most of the seals in the trans/hyd system on a 65hp JD after using some cheap fluid in it. Not worth the risk.

 

[beenthere]

For me, it is not worth taking a chance. If something goes wrong, I will never know if it was fluid or not.

But for someone else, doesn't bother me a bit that they go a non-Deere route. It is their nickel and worry.

 

[YesDeere]

I sucked it up and bought the Deere fluid for the same reasons mentioned. Peace of mind. I don't always agree with using the manufacturers stuff but... I really like my tractor;-)

 

[Pushing_Tin]

Thanks for the feedback! I know a lot of parts and fluids are made in one big factory and simply rebranded with the manufacturer specific colors and packaging, that's what I don't want to make an extra trip for, but if you all think it makes that much of a difference I will defer to your knowledge.

 

[kuboman]

Thanks for the feedback! I know a lot of parts and fluids are made in one big factory and simply rebranded with the manufacturer specific colors and packaging, that's what I don't want to make an extra trip for, but if you all think it makes that much of a difference I will defer to your knowledge.

It is not always just a re-branding of a product. Most manufacturers have certain specs that they require for their equipment. Generally you can get away with a high quality oil from another manufacturer but why not just use what is required.
I use a common hydraulic fluid for all my machines without a problem but the reason I do that is because I have so many different machines that to keep every oil separate would drive one crazy. If I had one machine or just one brand of machine then I would stick with their oil.

 

[fuseboxer]

I went into the Tractor Supply Store for a 5gal pail and buy the more expensive hydro with deere spec. They had some for $20. less per pail but I want peace of mind. You can not go wrong with JD-Dealer anything however when outside of the deere store and you see GOOD, BETTER, AND BEST. Do not buy the cheapest.