Hydraulic fluid compatability

WWhunter · Jul 14, 2013

I have a Howard Price Hydro-Power 180 mower and recently it blew a steel hydraulic line that runs the mower decks. I had to half disassemble the cab to get at the line. I replaced it with a flexible line since there was no way to replace it with a steel line without removing the entire top half of the unit.
Well, you can guess that under pressure I lost a lot of fluid. I do not have the manual for this mower but found a link that states this uses AFT F fluid for the hydraulics. My question is, is a universal Trans-Hydraulic fluid compatible with this? The unit holds 37 gallons of fluid and since I have other equipment that uses standard trans hydraulic fluid I have it in bulk. No one around here has ATF F in bulk other than buying it by the case of 1 quart bottles.
Would the Mills Fleet-Farm Universal Trans-Hydraulic fluid be fine to use in this?
Thanks

oldnslo · Jul 14, 2013

ATF type type F would have different additive packages than universal trans-hydraulic fluid. I do not know how well they would mix.

WWhunter · Jul 14, 2013

oldnslo,
That is exactly what I had figured. My reason for the question is I don't think I have ever seen a case where ATF F was used as a hydraulic fluid. Also, the fluid that leaked out isn't consistent with what I normally see in tranny fluid, which is red colored. This fluid was clear/yellowish looking.....just like the universal fluid I normally buy.
I have seen it (ATF) used in weird places though, ie, aircraft brakes!!!

MHarryE · Jul 14, 2013

The red color is a dye added to the fluid for ease in spotting leaks. Drives some of our customers crazy when they get machines from different plants. In our USA plant we use red dye. In our European plant we use a fluorescent dye that glows under a special light. At our Brazilian plant they use no dye. So don't take the color as gospel in oil type.

Oil selection isn't usually as scientific as manufacturers want you to believe. Most standard hydraulic pumps and motors live based on viscosity at operating temperature.

The number one reason for specifying a certain oil is cost. Of course it needs to meet certain parameters such as viscosity at 40C and 100C, anti-wear properties, etc.

If there are non-hydraulic components in your system all bets are off. Clutch friction material can be very oil sensitive.

At Allis-Chalmers combines (Gleaner) we specified automatic transmission fluid (Dexron, then Dexron 2) because it was the cheapest fluid we could find that would do he job. Our third hydrostatic transmission supplier didn't think much of it because Dexron doesn't handle moisture well but we had used it for ages. Later I worked for a company that used the exact same transmission and specified a universal hydro fluid. No life difference.

WWhunter · Jul 14, 2013

MHarryE,
NE MN? I am near Itasca State Park...small world.

I am guessing the reason you gave for using ATF (cheap) is the reason it was specified in this mower. This mower used to be owned by some city/county and I picked it up on an auction. Looks like typical 'gov' owned...ie, well used and abused, piece of equipment. I think they used a basic hydraulic fluid when doing its service over the years. I have tried calling the company (Howard Price Turf) but can never get an answer.

J_J · Jul 14, 2013

ATF is an alternate fluid for some Case equipment.

I use it my Case 360 trencher.

My Power-Trac uses motor 10W-40 for the hyd fluid and has been that way for over 20 years.

In the south, you can use man different types of fluid.

Bigfoot62 · Jul 14, 2013

WWhunter,
Check with your local fuel/oil distributors. If they don't have it in stock, I'll bet they can order the ATF in drums or buckets.

oldnslo · Jul 15, 2013

WWhunter said:
oldnslo,
That is exactly what I had figured. My reason for the question is I don't think I have ever seen a case where ATF F was used as a hydraulic fluid. Also, the fluid that leaked out isn't consistent with what I normally see in tranny fluid, which is red colored. This fluid was clear/yellowish looking.....just like the universal fluid I normally buy.
I have seen it (ATF) used in weird places though, ie, aircraft brakes!!!

ATF was a "common" fluid for hydraulic systems 20 years ago. It is far less common now with the advent of universal hydraulic fluid. Like Harry E. said viscosity is important and If this system has wet clutches or brakes I would be cautious about what fluid I used. if just your run of the mill pumps and motors the Universal tranny fluid would probably work just fine.

MHarryE · Jul 16, 2013

The Mills Fleet Farm in Baxter should be the place for you - their Universal Hydraulic Fluid. Either that or if you are closer to a L&M their universal hydraulic fluid also will do the job. My nephew uses both in his tractors (13 of them) with no problems except the oil leaks from blown hoses or cracked steel lines just like the more expensive name brands.