Hydraulic Fluid

[richriddle]

I am thinking of replacing hydraulic fluid in the YM147D and perhaps the YM276D. Someone once said he used J20C and J20D in his Yanmar YM series tractors. Is that the fluid you folks still recommend?

 

[CoyPatton]

I am thinking of replacing hydraulic fluid in the YM147D and perhaps the YM276D. Someone once said he used J20C and J20D in his Yanmar YM series tractors. Is that the fluid you folks still recommend?

If you do some research, you will find (at least for the 4 digit) YM series tractors, the hydraulic fluid spec is JD303.
That said JD303 is illegal to sale in many states. It was based from my understanding on a oil base of whale oil. With whaling being illegal, the standard for that oil when sideways and became unreliable for consistency.
The replace fluid then was JD Hy-Gard. This translates to J20C oil. The J20D is a bit different, although I would have to look up the spec difference before quoting them.
Sorry fo a long winded yes!

 

[richriddle]

Coy, thanks. I found the manual and photographed this page. Below is the list of acceptable hydraulic fluids:

Caltex PRM Tractor Hydraulic Fluid
Sun Oil Altram#303 Fluid Oil
John Deere 303 (J14B)
Case Case Tch Oil (JIC143, JIC144, or JIC145)
Allis Chalmers Allis-Chalmers Gear, Hydraulic and Wet Brake Oil (ACM-7201)
Ford M2C41-A,M2C53-A, or M2C86A
IH International Harvester HY-Tran B-6 Fluid

 

[CoyPatton]

Coy, thanks. I found the manual and photographed this page. Below is the list of acceptable hydraulic fluids:

CaltexPRM Tractor Hydraulic Fluid
Sun OilAltram#303 Fluid Oil
John Deere303 (J14B)
Case Case Tch Oil (JIC143, JIC144, or JIC145)
Allis Chalmers Allis-Chalmers Gear, Hydraulic and Wet Brake Oil (ACM-7201)
Ford M2C41-A,M2C53-A, or M2C86A
IHInternational Harvester HY-Tran B-6 Fluid

View attachment 664317

Again many places you can no longer get ‘303’ hydraulic fluid. Also a 2020 ‘303’ fluid is substandard to a 1983 (the last year my model was built) ‘303’.
Also those are min fluid levels. While it takes some work to determine what is what, you can always go to a ‘better’ fluid. Some things this is easier than others to determine. For example front axles call for 80w90 gear oil, but if you are in extreme temperatures using your tractor, you would be fine to use 80w140– better really cold and really hot performance. Yes it is a synthetic. Same on engine oils! Hydraulic fluids are more tricky as the additives and specializations of them come into play.

In general a universal transmission/hydraulic fluid meeting the J20 standards would work well.

 

[richriddle]

Coy, here is an article showing the 303 prohibition in Missouri.....

https://www.nu-tierbrands.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/did_you_know_john_deere_303_thf.pdf

And this article lists the dangers of new 303 fluid:

https://www.ppclubricants.com/dont-take-chances-with-303-tractor-fluid/

 

[CoyPatton]

Coy, here is an article showing the 303 prohibition in Missouri.....

https://www.nu-tierbrands.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/did_you_know_john_deere_303_thf.pdf

And this article lists the dangers of new 303 fluid:

https://www.ppclubricants.com/dont-take-chances-with-303-tractor-fluid/

I am very well aware that 303 is not allowed in the state I reside!
Notice in my first comment I stated 303 is illegal to sell in some areas!

 

[rScotty]

My "go to" general purpose hydraulic oil for anything up to and including HST transmissions is New Holland multig 134. It is reasonably priced and top quality and available anywhere. It works in anything and seems to meet all the strictest standards. This is an oil that is made by one of the world's largest oil refiners (Ambra & Petronas) specifically for one of the world's largest heavy equipment manufacturers (CNH).

There are smaller specialty oil companies who do things a different way. Some of those have remarkably few employees. They buy a bulk base stock from a large refiner, analyze it, put in their own additives, and then sell it under their own name. Some tractor manufacturers work up a partnership with these specialty oil companies and specify their products. The chemistry is well known, and the debates well hashed out.

But since you were asking for a good basic reliable transhydaulic fluid. I have used New Holland (Ambra) multi G 134 in everything I own at one time or another. It seems to run a bit quieter in a noisy hydraulic system - that probably has to do with shear strength and anti-foaming additives used - and no problems thus far.

Interestingly, about ten years ago John Deere began specifying to use their Plus 50 engine oil as the trans/hydaulic oil in most of their heavy construction machinery. I don't know why, but last time our 2007 310SG backhoe was serviced at the dealership they looked at my 310's serial number and asked if I wanted to use JD motor oil or transhydraulic fluid to refill. That machine holds enough oil to make that a multi-hundred dollar decision.

So I got curious and after comparing the oils, specs, and additives, the decision on their engine oil vs their trans/hydraulic fluid came down to one of the flow vs shear strength specs for starting cold at very low temperatures. Everything else was pretty near the same.
I trust the factory mechanics at the dealership. They said they hadn't seen any difference at all in the field.
rScotty

 

[richriddle]

My "go to" general purpose hydraulic oil for anything up to and including HST transmissions is New Holland multig 134. It is reasonably priced and top quality and available anywhere.
rScotty

rScotty, I see lots of folks looking for a substitute for it because they cannot locate it. Messicks sells it. Not sure if anyone else does though.

 

[rScotty]

I bought it at the New Holland dealership - although it has been several years since I bought there.
rScotty

 

[bmaverick]

Since Yanmar made zillions of the John Deere Compact tractors over 40+ years, and John Deere specifies J20C for these same sibling YM & FX & F machines, I've been using the J20C since the first fluid change. Due note, many of the Yanmar hydraulic filters that are the re-useable - cleanable types have an olefin filter membrane media. The J20C and J20D (harsh cold areas) work really well with the filter media. Using something thicker or heavier will purposely slow the hydraulic flow in the machine. Thus, to keep on the side of being safe, J20C or J20D is ideal.