Power Trac uses hard to find oil

[dturnmire]

The motor on my PT-180 brush cutter blew a seal and I'm wanting to add a little oil to the hydraulic tank. Terry told me they use Mobil 30W oil just like you would put in your car but there seems to be no place around here that sells it. I will have to probably go to a distributor and buy it by the case in order to get some. Would there be any problem with mixing different brand oils? I assume it is detergent as opposed to non-detergent.

It was under warranty so I had a mechanic friend help me take the motor off and ship it back to Virginia. To their credit Power Trac was very prompt in returning the repaired motor.

Not being mechanically inclined I was hesitant to buy a Power Trac at first but have found it is no problem to have it worked on after the warranty is gone.

 

[SnowRidge]

Straight 30W? I don't think I've heard that recommendation before. It is usually 5W-30 or 10W-40. I wonder if there is a great deal of difference between the pumps and motors of the PT-180 and those of its bigger brethren?

We've had our PT-425 almost two years now, and what with all the conflicting recommendations, both printed and verbal, I'm still not sure what the proper oil weight is. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Edit: BTW, do you know who made the motor, White, Parker, or someone else?

 

[dturnmire]

Straight 30W? I don't think I've heard that recommendation before. It is usually 5W-30 or 10W-40. I wonder if there is a great deal of difference between the pumps and motors of the PT-180 and those of its bigger brethren?

My mistake. I knew that the manual said 10W40 and the sticker on the tank said something different. It is 10W30 not straight 30W. Terry said whatever is on the tank is what should be used. Sorry.

 

[dturnmire]

Sorry once again. I mean 5W30! The manual says 5W40. I will go get a cup of coffee.

 

[MuncyBob]

My 422 manual states the same...and the tank sticker conflicts with the manual....I'll go get a beer! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[J_J]

What oil weight is on the tank. Is it different than the manual?

 

[MossRoad]

Sounds like you need to check the viscosity of the coffee, while you're at it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[FOURTEEN]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I mean 5W30! The manual says 5W40. I will go get a cup of coffee. )</font>


<font color="red"> You can use either one, but DON'T use coffee or beer!! </font>

 

[Gravy]

My two cents:
From what I can tell, pretty much any multi-grade engine oil will do just fine. If it's cold, 5W30 is probably best. If it's hot, 10W40 or 15W40 would be good. If you've got the bucks, synthetic 5W50 would be even better, and synthetic multi-grade hydraulic oil would be ideal.

The bottom line is that the PT's hydraulic system is pretty darn forgiving. As long as whatever you use is clean, it's likely to work. One more reason to love 'em.

Gravy

 

[FOURTEEN]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( pretty much any multi-grade engine oil will do just fine. If it's cold, 5W30 is probably best. If it's hot, 10W40 or 15W40 would be good. If you've got the bucks, synthetic 5W50 would be even better, and synthetic multi-grade hydraulic oil would be ideal. )</font>

<font color="red"> Exactly!! For a complete change I would have advised Amsoil ATH but since dturnmire was only "wanting to add a little oil to the hydraulic tank", about anything other than the aforementioned coffee or beer would be adequate!!

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif </font>