Hydraulic fluid/UTF?

   / Hydraulic fluid/UTF? #1  

slingworks

New member
Joined
Jun 4, 2022
Messages
20
Tractor
Zetor 5211 Ford 5000
Earlier this week I decided to change the transmission/hydraulic oil in my Zetor 5211 and do a filter change/screen cleaning.

After draining it out and cleaning the screen and doing the filter change, I went to town to buy a bucket of 80w90 and a little extra.

Well, the local tractor supply shop only had UTF (Universal Tractor Fluid) in buckets....It's not what I wanted, but the old man that owns the place is a die hard Ford Fanatic that assured me I was an idiot wanting a bucket of 80w90 for the gearbox. (It's a shared system for trans and hydraulics).
It's the 2nd time he "called me out" as an idiot at the counter...The time before was when he told me Ford didn't make 2 different size PTO shafts for a 901 bushog. Was pretty ironic, considering I had the original one in my truck, and had a parts sheet depicting 2 different shafts..

Not wanting UTF, but somewhat caving in because I needed something greasy, I bought some. I did some brief read on it, and it appears some use it in Zetors....But I'm not so satisfied. To be honest under load I'd say I can feel a bit more of a "geary" feel to the machine and I'm about ready to change it out. Change it out, or at least replace 50% with 80w90...

The manual calls for 80W, perhaps it's for a reason-or no reason other than back in Commie days maybe they didn't have a UTF concept?

Anyone have any advice or thoughts? My 5211 has just shy of 600 original hours.
 
   / Hydraulic fluid/UTF? #2  
Most fluid brands have their own oil selector tool available online. When in doubt, use the tool. It will list what fluid to use, along with the quantity and usually the interval between changes as well.

Using the Olipes tool (first one I choose), it does recommend using a UTTO or UTF for the transmission. Or STOU, which is a combination of engine and transmission oil that can be used in the engine and transmission.

For the most part, the UTTO or UTF was made for wet brakes and wet clutches, as it has the necessary additives to keep those wet clutches and brakes happy.
 
   / Hydraulic fluid/UTF?
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Thanks for the thoughts ptsg. I bought Sparex UTF. (ISO 68). I looked online there is no Sparex oil selector chart/tool to be found as best I can tell.

I think I'm going to drain it out and maybe use it as hydraulic fluid elsewhere. I don't feel like it's suitable for the Zetor.
 
   / Hydraulic fluid/UTF? #4  
UTF is a combination fluid, gear lube especially a single viscosity changes characteristics more with cold and heat.
 
   / Hydraulic fluid/UTF?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
UTF is a combination fluid, gear lube especially a single viscosity changes characteristics more with cold and heat.
That's what I read, but it just seems to feel different to me. Trans is more "geary" if that makes sense? I just feel like it's too thin for the job? I'd rather not spend $150 for a refill of 80w90 though..Was hoping someone that has a little similar experience might come along?

I could see the heat part maybe coming into play? I plowed under a garden (3/4 acre) with the new UTF in it and it was 99deg.....
 

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