Hydraulic Fluids For Mahindra you can buy locally questions?

Roberts2600 · Apr 15, 2021

For transmission fluid, my Mahindra 1626 recommends the following: Mahindra Universal, Citgo Transgard Tractor Hydraulic Fluids, Exxon Torque Fluid 56, Chevron 1000 THF, Mobil Fluid 424, Shell Donax TD, Texaco THD Oil Special. It looks like I can get Chevron 1000 THF locally and Shell Rotella HD, not Shell Donax TD, locally. I can also order Mobil Fluid 424 and see many people say Travelers Premium from TSC will work. My questions are...

Is Shell Rotella HD the same as Shell Donax TD?
Can Shell Rotella HD be used in a Mahindra 1626? (No specific call out for Shell Rotella HD in the manual but is it a cross-reference fluid?)
Any recommendations from these brands?

This will be for my 50-hour break-in on the front axel.

ericm979 · Apr 15, 2021

I'd use THF1000 if I could get it locally. My tractors manual lists it. Mobilfluid 424 is super close to THF1000 spec wise. Since I could get that shipped at a reasonable price I used that instead.

Rotella is engine oil. Don't use that in the hydraulic system.

Roberts2600 · Apr 15, 2021

ericm979 said:
I'd use THF1000 if I could get it locally. My tractors manual lists it. Mobilfluid 424 is super close to THF1000 spec wise. Since I could get that shipped at a reasonable price I used that instead.

Rotella is engine oil. Don't use that in the hydraulic system.

I agree with you, that Shell Rotella is motor oil but Shell Rotella HD is supposedly hydraulic fluid. That is what has me confused about the Shell Product.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...ersal-hydraulic-fluid-5-gal-pail?cm_vc=-10005

ericm979 · Apr 15, 2021

Hmm, so it is. When I priced THF1000 (that the local Napas couldn't actually get) a few years ago it was $45.

To find other compatible oils you can download the data sheets for the oils your manufacturer recommends and then cross compare them. It's not perfect as there's not much info listed for the additive package, but if you're getting name brand premium oil it should be ok. Of course if there's an oil related problem and the dealer or manufacturer want to argue with you about the warranty, you'd be in a stronger position if you'd used one of the recommended oils. To me that's worth spending a little more.