Is it OK to use low temperature hydraulic fluid (Like the kind used in snow plows)?

[gsdavis1]

I have some of that blue low temperature hydraulic fluid. It is mainly used in snow plow hydraulics. I wonder if it would be OK in my mitsubishi tractor. It sure would help in these cold winters to get the hydraulics moving.

 

[wvpolekat]

My gut says no, because yours also lubricates the transmission which pure hydraulic oil doesn't have to.

 

[lostcause]

i use the blue fluid in my snowplow, and from my experience, that stuff is nearly as thin as water. i'm not a chemist, but i'd think that the formula is a little too thin for a tractor's hydraulic system. what about the low viscosity hygard, or similar spec hydraulic oil instead? they are a little better in cold weather than standard oils.

 

[gsdavis1]

I know it is thin, but in my experience regular fluid is pretty thin when warmed up too. Maybe the blue hydraulic is "thin" when cold and maybe thicker when hot. Maybe it is the same viscosity whether hot or cold.

I am always amazed at what chemists have done to oil. The oil I put in my truck is 5w40 synthetic. Which I have gathered to mean that it is 5 weight when cold and 40 weight when hot...so it get's thicker as it heats?

Does anyone know if the blue, low temperature. hydraulic oil changes viscosity when hot?

 

[gsdavis1]

And I think the blue hydraulic fluid does have to keep the plow pump lubricated. So it must have some lubrication properties.

 

[crashz]

The blue fluid is a synthetic hydraulic oil, with similar vicosities as synthetic ATF. Great for small hydraulic systems (I use it in my plow and hydraulic dump). That said, it does not have the extreme pressure additives that tractor fluid and gear oil have. Thats why tractor fluid is what it is (a hydraulic oil with extreme pressure additives), to protect & lube the transmission and sometimes differentials. You want a low viscosity tractor fluid for you machine.

BTW - the SAE multigrade oils are designated at 0 and 100 degrees Celcius. Therefore, a 5W-40 performs with the viscosity of a SAE 5 weight oil at 0 degrees C, and a viscosity of a SAE 40 weight oil at 100 degrees C. All oils (and most fluids, unless thixotropic) will decrease in viscosity with the addition of heat.

 

[Diamondpilot]

If you tractor shares a common sump for the tranny and hydros I would say no. If it is like my tractor and has seperate sump for each it would be fine.

Around here many guys run ATF. They like it because of its color makes it easy to see when a leak starts.

Chris