Hydraulic fluid

[Sawyer Rob]

I would not use TSC trans hydraulic fluid in my tractors. I did some research some time ago, and it had a poor rating for hydraulics, so it's a no go for me.

I went to Blains and stocked up on 5 gal pails of theirs when they were running a sale on it, theirs is made by Citgo and is rated much better.

SR

 

[USMC43]

I would not use TSC trans hydraulic fluid in my tractors. I did some research some time ago, and it had a poor rating for hydraulics, so it's a no go for me.

I went to Blains and stocked up on 5 gal pails of theirs when they were running a sale on it, theirs is made by Citgo and is rated much better.

SR

Are you sure?

Citgo Tractor Hydraulic Fluid Class Action Settled for $18.83 Million | The Petroleum Quality Institute of America

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Are you sure?

Citgo Tractor Hydraulic Fluid Class Action Settled for $18.83 Million | The Petroleum Quality Institute of America

Am I sure about what?

I read what I said above in TSC's own tech. papers online and compared that to others, like Blanes and Family Farm, TSC lost and with THEIR wording saying that their oil in NOT for HD hydraulic use.

I will NOT use their trans/hydraulic in my tractors.

SR

 

[D&D]

Are you sure?

Citgo Tractor Hydraulic Fluid Class Action Settled for $18.83 Million | The Petroleum Quality Institute of America

“The Court has not decided who is right. Instead, the parties agreed to a proposed settlement to avoid the expense and risks of continuing the lawsuit.‘

Oh good grief. So what, all non-OEM oils are no good? Better yet, why not tell us who makes JD, Kubota, AGCO, etc branded oil.

 

[USMC43]

“The Court has not decided who is right. Instead, the parties agreed to a proposed settlement to avoid the expense and risks of continuing the lawsuit.‘

Citgo is not a company to be trusted for many reason, most are not to be discussed here. However Any company that is that’s main advertisement on its packaging is that it’s 303 probabably is sell substandard oil. They don’t do that now but did they actually improve it?

According to blains website it only meets jd20c spec.

The mobile delvac the advertise beside it meets
“API GL-4, Caterpillar TO-2, Denison UTTO/THF, Ford New Holland ESN-M2C-134-D and FNHA-2C-201.00, John Deere J20C, and more. Meets or exceeds the requirements of the following industry and builder specifications: Kubota UDT1 and ASTM D6973 (Eaton 35VQ) vane pump test.”

I doesn’t appear that blains branded oil even offers a dual jd20c/jd20d spec which is what most call premium.

Oh good grief. So what, all non-OEM oils are no good? Better yet, why not tell us who makes JD, Kubota, AGCO, etc branded oil.

Have you read my prior post (#7 and 20)? How in the wild world of sports could you come to that conclusion if you had?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Oh good grief. So what, all non-OEM oils are no good? Better yet, why not tell us who makes JD, Kubota, AGCO, etc branded oil.

The problem with that is, it not about who made it, it's about what THAT company spec'ed it, and then does it then meet that spec...

Just because company A made it, it doesn't mean it's spec'ed the same as company B's is.

As for TSC, --------> THEIR literature says it's NOT for HD hydraulic use, I don't want that oil in my tractors.

SR

 

[RjCorazza]

The problem with that is, it not about who made it, it's about what THAT company spec'ed it, and then does it then meet that spec...

Just because company A made it, it doesn't mean it's spec'ed the same as company B's is.

As for TSC, --------> THEIR literature says it's NOT for HD hydraulic use, I don't want that oil in my tractors.

SR

I will add that there is a post here on TBN, OTT or maybe YouTube with the front label of a TSC hydraulic / transmission oil stating that is was suitable for use in ALL modern machinery. The back of the container said in small print something to the effect of not being suitable for use in machinery manufactured after 1970ish.

This was several years AFTER their 303 debacle, and doesn't instill much confidence.

 

[5030]

I've never understood the rationale behind 'fluid is too expensive so I'll use the cheap stuff'... You pay thousands for a tractor and then cheap out on fluids and filters.. I don't get that at all.

Far as Coyote Machine's comment, you ever bother to do a spectroscopic analysis on your fluid? Bet not. I do with all my fluids every time I change them. Additive packages wear out in any fluid, don't matter if it 'appears' fine or not. Only way to tell is by doing an analysis. Especially hydrostats are touchy when it comes to fluid. Gear drives, not so much but then all mine are gear drive and they get changed every 2 years, sooner if they appear milky and each of mine holds 15 gallons btw. I do keep them inside when not being used as well.

I never cheap out, ever. I depend on my tractors for farming and keep in mind that not only does the fluid lubricate the gearbox or in the case of a hydro, the entire transmission but it also provides hydraulics for your loader or any implement you have on the back that requires hydraulics plus it keeps your wet brake discs lubricated.

I just don't see being cheap on fluid when the tractor costs many thousands.

 

[kozal01]

I've never understood the rationale behind 'fluid is too expensive so I'll use the cheap stuff'... You pay thousands for a tractor and then cheap out on fluids and filters.. I don't get that at all.

Far as Coyote Machine's comment, you ever bother to do a spectroscopic analysis on your fluid? Bet not. I do with all my fluids every time I change them. Additive packages wear out in any fluid, don't matter if it 'appears' fine or not. Only way to tell is by doing an analysis. Especially hydrostats are touchy when it comes to fluid. Gear drives, not so much but then all mine are gear drive and they get changed every 2 years, sooner if they appear milky and each of mine holds 15 gallons btw. I do keep them inside when not being used as well.

I never cheap out, ever. I depend on my tractors for farming and keep in mind that not only does the fluid lubricate the gearbox or in the case of a hydro, the entire transmission but it also provides hydraulics for your loader or any implement you have on the back that requires hydraulics plus it keeps your wet brake discs lubricated.

I just don't see being cheap on fluid when the tractor costs many thousands.

Yeah, fluid and filters are cheap, Ill never understand that rational either.

 

[5030]

Yeah, fluid and filters are cheap, Ill never understand that rational either.

I don't use SUDT in either of my M's but I do use Chevron All Weather THC synthetic and it costs a bit more than SUDT does but both my units seem to be very happy with it and 30 gallons sets me back a bit as well. I always use Kubota filters, no exception. They might be a tad more expensive but the engineers at Kubota know what they are doing so I follow their lead.

 

[5030]

The only thing I buy at TSC far as fluid is concerned is the Bio-Kleen and 5-40 Rotella T6 if it's on sale. Don't buy any grease there and certainly not any hydraulic or transmission fluids.

 

[D&D]

The problem with that is, it not about who made it, it's about what THAT company spec'ed it, and then does it then meet that spec...


SR

Yep, I get it.
Actually, that spec does have a chain that’s supposed to be followed
ISO std 6734-4.

The question really becomes how do you know the manufacturer did / did not follow the standard? According to globalspec there are 105,495 manufacturers.

ISO 6743-4:2015

Lubricants, industrial oils and related products (class L) — Classification — Part 4: Family H (Hydraulic systems)

www.iso.org

 

[USMC43]

Yep, I get it.
Actually, that spec does have a chain that’s supposed to be followed
ISO std 6734-4.

The question really becomes how do you know the manufacturer did / did not follow the standard? According to globalspec there are 105,495 manufacturers.

ISO 6743-4:2015

Lubricants, industrial oils and related products (class L) — Classification — Part 4: Family H (Hydraulic systems)

www.iso.org

Reading.

Maybe it’s easier to find a reputable name brands such as mobil, shell, chevron, valvoline, countrymark, or Kendall instead of buying some house brand to save a few dollars per pail and figure out if they are actually adhering to the specs or misrepresenting it product as quite a few have in the past.

Even case/ih hyguard I have purchased not but a few dollars more in the past if I buy a pail or two in late winter as part of the local dealership bulk oil program.

 

[Kioti Sal]

Sometimes it isn't about money, but convenience....

If the person can't find what they have been told to get, what's a fellow to do? I'm lucky that my dealer seems to be pretty good. He's not that close, but the reason I went to him is that I don't trust the dealers nearby. But if I had bought a 'Brand X' tractor I'd have to find stuff on my own.

We all know finding Kioti info on the web can be a crap shoot. Basically, if it isn't in a youtube video or here, good luck.

 

[319Quahog]

Here is the back label of the above linked TSC fluid. I keep some on hand for topping things off. Don't have enough hours to change yet.

Anywho--since Mobilfluid 424 is in the Kioti manual, I would recommend folks do a spec comparison between Delvac fluid and 424. It's listed in different orders on the Mobil page, but

 

[USMC43]

Here is the back label of the above linked TSC fluid. I keep some on hand for topping things off. Don't have enough hours to change yet.

Anywho--since Mobilfluid 424 is in the Kioti manual, I would recommend folks do a spec comparison between Delvac fluid and 424. It's listed in different orders on the Mobil page, but

View attachment 855545

Notice it says “recommended for” not “meets or exceeds the following specifications”

 

[D&D]

Notice it says “recommended for” not “meets or exceeds the following specifications”

Actually, it does. Read a little higher up on the label.

 

[TN8Man]

I use Traveller in my Kioti, no different than what the dealer puts in ... which also is not what Kioti recommends in the manual.

 

[USMC43]

Actually, it does. Read a little higher up on the label.

It says it meets jd20c. It doesn’t say anything about meeting all the other specs in the list.

 

[BubbaSam]

I had a heck of a time when I changed all fluids and filters at 500 hours. The local Kioti dealer told me NOT to use the Traveler synthetic hydraulic fluid from Tractor Supply as it would ruin all the seals. And Yes... the Kioti from that dealer was over twice the price. So I called Kioti and spoke to them as well as reviewed ALL of the fluids listed in their manual. Kioti told me that I could use ANY synthetic hydraulic fluid. Hmmm... so what I did was go to NAPA and had them cross reference what was in the manual and used that. I now have just under 900 hours and no problems at all. I have to believe that the Kioti dealer was just closing the deal on using the Kioti brand... especially when Kioti themselves told me to use ANY synthetic hydraulic fluid. I will say that I personally would NOT use any filters other than OEM ones.

BTW... my neighbor has a Kioti CK25 that's about 15 years old and usually uses it hard. He is adamant at keeping up his maintenance. He has ONLY used Traveler fluid and has had NO problems at all.