Hobby Rancher What fluid to use?

[Cutter Bill]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if 303 hydraulic oil will be ok for a 1974 John Deere 2030. I can't seem to find much info on this tractor. I took a line off and the fluid(whatever it is) is milky like a lot of moisture is in the system. The hydraulics still are working strong but I have no history on the tractor hydraulics and plan to change the fluid. I only see one filter, so if anybody knows of more that would help. I have a book on the tractor but it is not a shop manual so looking for that as well.
Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[RNeumann]

Most just buy bulk THF. The cost difference is minimal and it had be had about anywhere. Plus it works with gears, HST and hydraulics.

 

[Cutter Bill]

Thanks. I appreciate the response.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Any good quality tractor transmission/hydraulic fluid should be fine. Just don't buy the cheapest thing you can find. Some of the really cheap stuff will have sediment in the bottom of the 5 gallon bucket when new. I only buy MobilFluid 424. I've been using it for years, and it's good fluid.
You don't say where you live. Add that to your post. It will help us give better answers to your questions.
After you change the filter and fluid, if this happens again, you will need to locate the source of the moisture. Water is not good for the hyd system.

 

[Tx Jim]

Cutter Bill
Does your 2030 have a hyd hi-lo,reverser or hyd pto? If so I'll advise to use JD Hy-Gard or it's equivalent. MobilFluid 424 is fine. While you have oil drained I'll suggest to check/clean the sump screen(key 15) that location is shown in photo below.

 

[nyone]

The tractor manufacture sets the specs for the oil needed. Use what they recomend. There is no standard for hydraulic oil.

With that being said a "universal tractor fluid" should be fine for a 1975 tractor. Certainly better that oily water you have in now.