GL1 or SAE 140 replacement

paulyny · May 21, 2014

Ive been reading old posts looking for info for the suitable fluid replacement to do a fluid change on my transmission and im still scratching my head from all of the different suggestions. My manual says to use API GL-1 straight mineral oil or gear lube SAE 140. Any advice? Thanks

The Fred · May 21, 2014

What's it for? Reason being I have an old Case 310 with wet brake bands. Local old timer dozer tech tells me anything other than straight mineral oil will render the steering clutches unusable once coated with 140 weight sludge.

I don't like dealing with 140 weight oil either it's just plain nasty crap.

Fred

paulyny · Jun 1, 2014

HI Fred. Its an old Dynahoe with a borg warner t12, t19. Been so busy but now getting ready to get some fluid. Im still looking.lol

Z71 · Jun 2, 2014

Motorcycle oils are GL1 rated because they have to lube the engine and the transmission.

Note - 140 GL is closest in viscosity to a SAE 60 engine oil.

Here is one example, you can find a mineral oil in SAE 60 at a Harley dealer, the Flathead , Knucklehead, Panhead and Shovelhead engines used SAE 60.

API SG, SL/CF JASO MA/MA2 ISO-L-EMA2 API GL-1

The Fred · Jun 2, 2014

I wouldn't ever consider running GL-1 140 weight oil in an old 4 speed Borg Warner or New Process transmission.
Personally I would try 80W-90 or 75W-140 gear oil GL-4 or GL5.

You could email these guys and ask.

AIT: Transmission fluids

GL1 140 weight works well for the chain on ye old manure spreader or undercoating of old Chevy pickup truck

Fred

Soundguy · Jun 3, 2014

napa makes a mineral gl1 90w oil. 65-205 is the part number for a 5g pail

many massey ferguson users use it. some old ford users use it.

paulyny · Jun 7, 2014

Hey, thanks for the help. Luckily I only need 6 1/2 pints for the range transmission. These specs came right from my owners manual.I cant say the same for the directional transmission which takes 16 quarts of dexron 1. Thats my next search!

Soundguy · Jun 7, 2014

dexron III is generally considered as backwards compatible tot he previous dexron, dexron II and dexron IID versions.

Dexron was nearly identical to ATF type A, both using sperm whale oil as friction mods.

Dex II used a plant oil as a friction mod.. (Simmondsia chinensis ) but it caused corrosion problems. IID didn't corrode.. but loved water and absorbed it / encouraged it's condensation on the oil wet surfaces.. thus Dex III

Type A atf is still available at places like walmart. ( no whale oil though! )

paulyny · Jun 8, 2014

I got lucky and found a source for GL1 140 mineral oil. I see that there are lots of uncommon lubrication available outside of the USA but what im working on would make you guys laugh. Not worth the expense and effort im sure. Going to all this trouble for an late 1970s backhoe! Anyhow, I wont have backhoe money in my budget for a very long time so im just trying my best to prevent possible issues in the future. Found this oil on Ebay. Looks like a no name which makes me wonder if its the correct stuff in the can but its made by a company in Louisiana named trusouthoil. Only $10 bucks so I cant complain about the price but shipping is $23.00 on ebay!!!Touthey also sell transmission type A. Im not sure if thats a proper replacement for the 16 quarts of Dexron 1 that I need . Thanks again.