Mahindra brand oil/Hydraulic fluid what is it comparable to?

   / Mahindra brand oil/Hydraulic fluid what is it comparable to? #1  

mike35549

Bronze Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2012
Messages
93
Location
Walker Co. Alabama
Tractor
Mahindra 2538 with FEL
Wondering if anyone has looked into what Mahindras brand of oil and hydraulic fluid is comparable to. It is rather expensive and I was curious if that is because it is actually a very high grade of fluid is it synthetic or part synthetic. Or is it just cheap fluid that is marked up a lot. Wonder who makes it and other brands the specs compare to.
 
   / Mahindra brand oil/Hydraulic fluid what is it comparable to? #2  
My manual lists a Shell, Chevron and a few other brands that are approved "and equal to or better than" for the machine.
Mahindra isn't making fluid. They have a spec- or more likely build to an existing spec- and put it out to bid. The bid is awarded for a set period of time and someone in the world is making the fluid and putting it in Mahindra containers.
 
   / Mahindra brand oil/Hydraulic fluid what is it comparable to?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
   / Mahindra brand oil/Hydraulic fluid what is it comparable to? #6  
I don't know the actual chemistry between brands. But I can confirm in my 1533/1538 manual all the fluids are listed equally. Meaning they are all recommended by the manufacturer.
 
   / Mahindra brand oil/Hydraulic fluid what is it comparable to? #7  
This is from the TYM 394 service manual, which is the 2538:

► RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION OIL
① RPM Tractor Hydraulic Fluid or Textron TDH Premium (CALTEX)
② TDH Oil or TDH Oil special (TEXACO)
③ Chevron 1000THF (CHEVRON)
 
   / Mahindra brand oil/Hydraulic fluid what is it comparable to? #8  
So you are saying it is manufactured to the same spec as chevron 1000 THF. If that is so it is probably no better than Rotella or Travelelr at Tractor Supply and it cost 3x the price.

The Mahindra brand ought to be priced within about 10-20% of Chevron or similar brands. A dealer can charge what he wishes I guess, but I know our Mahindra fluids are pretty competitively priced. There are cheaper brands, but that is always the case. I do not think our Mahindra oil is anything special, but it is top quality oil and the right stuff for your tractor.
 
   / Mahindra brand oil/Hydraulic fluid what is it comparable to? #9  
The trouble with those alternative oils is finding them. At one time you could go to a gas station and perhaps pick up a container. Stations today are more interested selling coffee. At any rate, I tracked down a supplier and by the time I got it here, it was more expensive than the Mahindra oils with its pricing (Chevron) about the same as Mahindra. It was simply easier for me to take the 10 minute ride to the dealers and plop over the $85 per 5 gal. container. Is it the same as the $45 Tractor Supply stuff? I dunno, but for the sake of the warranty, I wanted no excuses. For the time it's gonna take for me to get to the next oil change ( 4 or 5 years) I'll spend the extra.

As to the extent of hydraulic oil changes for my type of use (lucky to put on 60 hrs in a year) I changed out the hydraulic oil in my old tractor (JD-750) 3 times in the 28 years I had it. Never a glitch.
 
   / Mahindra brand oil/Hydraulic fluid what is it comparable to? #10  
Don't know about you guys, but next change I'll put Royal Purple in my Max28, same oil as what I use in my Kubota L39 for cold weather performance and anti wear. Plus I change hydraulic oil every 1000 hours or so, so why not use the best?
The Max is really stiff when cold. First change of hydraulic fluid I used the premium Tractor Supply stuff.
Sneaking of which, I got to dig out the trailer for my wife. Less chance of wrecking trailer with the Max.

Amazon.com: Royal Purple 117 Syntractor III Universal Tractor Fluid - 5 gal.: Automotive
 
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