Dumb question - Fluid vs Oil?

[Torvy]

Yep. good question. the answer it "is" an oil. It is a petroleum product, thus an oil. The Kubota UDT is a petroleum product/oil. synthetic oil is still oil/petroleum - it is just a "manipulated" oil where most of the molecules are the same size (optimum size for lubrication.)

But Olive oil is an oil and it is not petroleum based...I guess I have a good question for my ChemE son at dinner tomorrow.

 

[rScotty]

I'd be interested in what he says. I'm a different kind of engineer, but in school all engineers are encouraged to bet some exposure to other engineering disciplines, so I can at least give you some background.

Not all oils are petroleum products. As you point out, olive oil is not petroleum.
But they are similar. Very similar.
Petroleum is just a common, handy, and inexpensive source of the carbon & hydrogen "building blocks" that are taken apart and reassembled to make everything from gasoline & oils to plastics, asphalt and beyond.

You can do the same by starting with olive oil. Or for that matter by starting with a gas. Natural gas is particularly good for that.

What is different is the type of process used for splitting and recombining the building blocks.
Enjoy your time together,
rScotty

 

[Egon]

IF hydraulic fluid is not oil what is it?

post #5 answers the question.

oil is a fluid. A fluid may/may not be oil.

 

[N80]

I am happy to be educated on the matter but Tractor Supply had hydraulic “oil” and fluid. By the descriptions the “fluid” is more versatile. I bought the oil since that is what the manual called for.