Hydraulic fluid

[Hombre]

Think I'll contact the Branson dealer I bought my tractor from and ask about the use of synthetic hydraulic fluids in our tractors. Has anyone checked on that or used it? Curious. I've become a believer in synthetic oils and that's what I use in my diesel engines, Valvoline 5-40 Blue to be exact. Also run syn. in the differentials, transfer cases and transmissions but I use Royal Purple for those. I do use Branson filters mainly because I don't know of anything that is better but if there were some out there I would use them. I'm a Dodge Cummins owner and big fan, and the oil and filters I use are one of the three highest rated for them. They (oil and filter) cost a little more than the "average" dino oil and filters but not that much more. I get a big question mark in my head when someone tells me they use X filter because it's 4 dollars cheaper than that high priced one (?) I use. Same with the oil. So let's see, 60,000 dollars for new truck, cheap oil filter 7.00 dollars, MUCH BETTER filter 12.00 dollars. Good dino oil 12 bucks a gallon (need 3) Valvoline Blue synthetic 19.00 a gallon. 21.00 dollar savings there plus the 5 for the filter. A 26.00 (savings) over the oil interval change. If I were changing oil and filter 4 times a year (which I don't) a big 100 dollar savings. Why would I have a 60,000 dollar truck if 100 bucks a year was going to make or break me???????I feel the same about all machinery. Buy the best for your application. Other's opinions would be welcome, it could be I'm being to "ocd" about the whole thing. :confused2:

 

[Texasmark]

If you know where some is for sale and want to pay the price go for it. I would if I answered yes to the question. My oil change intervals would be out 2-3X. And don't give me a bunch of hooey about the change intervals would be the same. My 2011 Silverado is testament to what I said. If you have one, take your owner's manual and see if you can find a 3000 mile oil change interval (7500). Find an auto tranny change interval (100k+). Find a differential change interval (100k+) Neither of the latter 2 are even mentioned in that manual.......why? Because GM is using synthetic oils on the assembly line.....but they used to be, back when they used dino oil.

 

[LouNY]

I use Cen-Pe-Co multi purpose in my hydraulics, it specs out much like a synthetic but it is a paraffin based lube.
My Branson 8050 would not start in the winter as the starter couldn't crank it over more then 2 revolutions,
I switched from Shell hytran to the Cen-Pe-Co and it could crank it over and start.
The 8050 has a power shuttle and I believe the starter could not drive the pump with the cold hytran.

I use Shell Rotella T6 5w-40 synthetic in most of my engines.

 

[Hombre]

If you know where some is for sale and want to pay the price go for it. I would if I answered yes to the question. My oil change intervals would be out 2-3X. And don't give me a bunch of hooey about the change intervals would be the same. My 2011 Silverado is testament to what I said. If you have one, take your owner's manual and see if you can find a 3000 mile oil change interval (7500). Find an auto tranny change interval (100k+). Find a differential change interval (100k+) Neither of the latter 2 are even mentioned in that manual.......why? Because GM is using synthetic oils on the assembly line.....but they used to be, back when they used dino oil.

I'm not sure what you're trying to tell me here. The manual for my Dodge cummins says 7500 mile intervals. I've always changed at 5000. Easier for me to remember, no other reason. The Branson manual says 50 hrs. and that's when I change it. Diff. changes are 30,000 and transmission (6 sp) and transfer case is (?) 48,000 maybe. Change yours whenever you want, makes no difference to me.

 

[Texasmark]

Read your first few sentences..................... You ASKED for opinions, now you don't give a ......

The point here is that I use it because it's more convenient for my stage in life and synthetics have changed the way OEMs write owner's manuals and in making servicing recommendations.....meaning it works. At 78 I don't move around as well as I used to and changing oil isn't on the top of my agenda......any more...used to be near the top.

 

[ericm979]

I asked my dealer if it'd be ok to use Kubota's SUDT and they emphatically said no.

Chevron makes a synthetic THF. Since THF 1000 is one of the recommended oils, perhaps the synthetic version would be ok. I'd ask a good dealer first.

I sure wish Branson had recommended specifications instead of specific oils and only two of them.

 

[Hombre]

Read your first few sentences..................... You ASKED for opinions, now you don't give a ......

The point here is that I use it because it's more convenient for my stage in life and synthetics have changed the way OEMs write owner's manuals and in making servicing recommendations.....meaning it works. At 78 I don't move around as well as I used to and changing oil isn't on the top of my agenda......any more...used to be near the top.

Re read what I asked. Maybe better if I had asked the question if any body has used synthetic hydraulic fluids and their experiences with it, or have they asked a Branson rep about using it. I have not tried it. Opinions or answers were/are welcome on their use. I did not ask about extended fluid changes using it. I'm 73 (in Sept.) and I just spent 4hrs. under my 2002 Dodge cummins 4x4 changing ALL the fluids in it, so I understand where you're coming from there. However, it is still a top priority for me with all my vehicles. I do not run synthetic fluids to try and get extended use times, I use it because I believe it's just better stuff and that saving a 100 bucks a year in oil changes is a false "economy". My opinion.

 

[oldnslo]

If synthetic meets or exceeds the oil specs for what Branson recommends you will be fine.

I have ran amzoil hydraulic transmission fluid in my 2400h for last 3 years & over 300 hrs reason for this was cold weather issues with the factory oil in the charge pump loop of the hst

 

[thekidb]

I asked my dealer if it'd be ok to use Kubota's SUDT and they emphatically said no.

Chevron makes a synthetic THF. Since THF 1000 is one of the recommended oils, perhaps the synthetic version would be ok. I'd ask a good dealer first.

I sure wish Branson had recommended specifications instead of specific oils and only two of them.

I called Branson in Rome, and the guy there told me that SUDT was fine to use in my 2800H. Go figure? The only thing that I notice is that the tranny is a little noisy when really hot, but not much more than before. Did the dealer say why SUDT wasn't good or just say no?

I switched to SUDT after trying the Tractor Supply store brand. It seemed to be too thick, and the tranny whined terribly when cold. SUDT is very smooth in the tranny. The loader is a little jerky when really hot. I think it's because the SUDT viscosity is a little lower at temperature.