Off Brand hydro fluid failure??

[Slackdaddy]

Interesting read,
I was of the mindset that hydro fluid is hydro fluid, probably all goes from the same factory.
Guess I was wrong.

https://www.bizjournals.com/kansasc...AdqEi1BadKN-ZSfsl1y7A4EsAPtQfBsjDvSV3HdMWCZSs

 

[the old grind]

Two year old article about folks who bought cheap 303 spec oil and blame the seller for an ignorant consumer choice.

Being able to read product labels and owner's manuals is not a requirement of tractor ownership, but it helps.

And aren't cheapskates the one's to gripe about product quality when they use the wrong stuff to save a buck?

How about a letter writing campaign to make tractor companies stop selling to illiterate people? (that always works)

Can you say "operator failure"? I like to think folks wouldn't put gasoline into a diesel fuel tank but it happens. Who do they sue?

 

[kthompson]

In summer 2017, the Missouri Department of Agriculture sampled 14 tractor hydraulic fluid products — including the product sold by Tractor Supply — that claimed to work in almost every tractor and all 14 failed to meet any of the specifications. They were all found to be underperforming to the point that damage was likely to result from use.

Above is direct quote from the linked article. To me that does not prove the lack or ability to read a label to me if true it proves the company who labeled it did so either knowing the product did not meet those standards or some other failure on their part. Anyone selling any product has responsibility to truthfully describe it. Anyone buying a product has the responsibility to be sure those stated "facts" meets their needs.

I do believe many people who buy the price and no other reason and then don't understand why it was not the proper product for their need. We know that does not even hold to be good advice for toilet paper. Use to sell for a company who I liked their saying within the company, the lowest price is seldom the lowest cost. Their product was not the lowest price nor the highest either but independent and long term reviews show their product was often the lowest cost.

 

[Slackdaddy]

I guess I miss-understood the : 14 fluids were tested and failed to meet the specs they were advertised to meet,,,,
That said I use Mobile 424, not Walmart fluid,,
But if Walmart or TSC is selling a fluid that says it meets some general specs, and it does not,,, I would not pin it on the buyer.

 

[RjCorazza]

In defense of people that got caught up in the 303 fluid debacle, prior to a couple of years ago 303 was in fact marketed as a current and acceptable hydraulic fluid.
Even today (just looked) you can find 303 listed as a great fluid approved by a long list of manufacturers. Read a little further, and the tiny print says don't use in equipment manufactured after 1974.
I found the article linked interesting, thanks for posting it.

 

[RickB]

Even today (just looked) you can find 303 listed as a great fluid approved by a long list of manufacturers.

The commonly misunderstood fact is equipment manufacturers are not doing the approving.
The folks packaging the oil are, and without a bit of oversight or industry standards they are required to meet.

 

[hosspuller]

As I understand the 303 debacle... The test rig used qualify the 303 oil is no longer available. So any label that says meets 303 specifications is false since there is no test or spec.
I use Deere fluids since Hy-gard is very expensive compared to 303, but cheap compared to repairs.

 

[dodge man]

I have read and think I’m pretty up to speed on engine oil. Hydraulic fluid? I don’t know much about so I buy the OEM stuff.

 

[nyone]

The manufacturer of the piece of equipment sets the spec for the fluid..there is no API testing for hydraulic fluid..thus any company that makes oil can meet the spec as no one is testing it.

Buy the manufacturer's oil if you have an expensive piece of equipment. If its gear drive with a gear hyd pump I dont see a problem with useing non manufactur oil.

 

[RickB]

As I understand the 303 debacle... The test rig used qualify the 303 oil is no longer available. So any label that says meets 303 specifications is false since there is no test or spec.
I use Deere fluids since Hy-gard is very expensive compared to 303, but cheap compared to repairs.

The original recipe for John Deere 303 oil included some amount of whale oil. As international treaties ban the harvesting of whales, the exact duplication of 303 oil is impossible. The spec itself is 60+ years old so even if the ingredients were available the oil would be substandard by any measure used today.