Hydraulic oil for mf35

Dabrowski · Jan 28, 2019

Hi guys.
Finding it difficult to understand which hydraulic/transmission oil to purchase. I can get this stuff locally and usually comes on sale. Is it ok to use?

UNIVERSAL FARM OIL 15W-4 (STOU) | Penrite Oil

WilliamTO-35 · Jan 28, 2019

I buy a similar universal oil at Tractor Supply for my TO-35 transmission, built-in hydraulic system, and front end loader hydraulics . I do not use it for my engine oil .

shaeff · Jan 29, 2019

Here’s what I use, from Tractor Supply. About $40 for a five gallon bucket. I use it for my MF35 Utility’s power steering, loader, and transmission. Not for the engine.

Cougsfan · Jan 29, 2019

I have used 90w gear oil in my TO35. It is what came in it when I got it 35 years ago. I have had occasion to change it once when the shift boot went out, it set in the rain and snow over the winter, and the tranny got a lot of water in it. I put 90 weight back in it. In one whole lot of hours, I have never had any trouble with the tranny or 3 point (other than the shifter sometimes sticking in 2nd gear, which has happened occasionally from day 1 of my ownership). The original hour meter read 2500 hrs and was broken when I got the tractor. After using the tractor as my primary tractor for another 25 years I finally got around to buying a new hour meter. Since then I have only put about 350 hrs on it, as I mostly use my new cabbed Branson. I'd personally be a little leery about using the lighter tractor fluid you guys are talking about, but it might be OK.

NoPaint · Jan 29, 2019

Cougsfan said:
I have used 90w gear oil in my TO35. It is what came in it when I got it 35 years ago. I have had occasion to change it once when the shift boot went out, it set in the rain and snow over the winter, and the tranny got a lot of water in it. I put 90 weight back in it. In one whole lot of hours, I have never had any trouble with the tranny or 3 point (other than the shifter sometimes sticking in 2nd gear, which has happened occasionally from day 1 of my ownership). The original hour meter read 2500 hrs and was broken when I got the tractor. After using the tractor as my primary tractor for another 25 years I finally got around to buying a new hour meter. Since then I have only put about 350 hrs on it, as I mostly use my new cabbed Branson. I'd personally be a little leery about using the lighter tractor fluid you guys are talking about, but it might be OK.

I believe one major issue with gear oil is that it may not work for the hydraulics. Running universal tractor fluid lubricates the moving parts and can be pumped up at lower temperatures. I had about 25 gallons in a skid steer because I wanted to get something in there that would protect moving parts better than straight hydraulic oil. Worked really well for a lot of hours.

Cougsfan · Jan 30, 2019

A TO30 I had for years had a separate hydraulic system for the loader that ran off a pump powered off the front of the engine. Can you run hydraulics off the 3 point system? I have never seen a place to tap in for hydraulics from the 3 point pump.

shaeff · Jan 30, 2019

Cougsfan said:
A TO30 I had for years had a separate hydraulic system for the loader that ran off a pump powered off the front of the engine. Can you run hydraulics off the 3 point system? I have never seen a place to tap in for hydraulics from the 3 point pump.

With some extra plumbing and a valve installed on the lift cover, some guys run a loader that way. It’s painfully slow, however, being that the internal pump can only pump single digits/minute compared to the front mounted pumps.

Front mount pump is the way to go with these old machines.