Top off the tractor fluid with something else?

Sebculb · Mar 12, 2019

Hi everyone,

So I'm in a tough spot, popped a transaxle hose the other day, no biggie. Bought a new section of low pressure hose and 2 gals of Deere hygard oil.

Need a lot more than 2 gals, maybe 3 or 4. All utf options are far away and I have a gig tomorrow morning. So what can I finish filling it with? The gas station has 10wt or iso 68 hydraulic fluids, would this be okay? Maybe atf? I know there's a wet brake in there. JD 310d backhoe, transaxle holds maybe 6 gals total.

Or is this a retarded line of thinking and I've just gotta tell the customer I'll be late cuz I gotta drive and get more tractor fluid?

Thanks!

art · Mar 12, 2019

ISO 68 is a hydraulic fluid but I'm unsure of the compatibility! It could cause problems with some seals. Are you by Golfito?

Sebculb · Mar 12, 2019

Hola! Sorta in the same corner as golfito but five hours north.

Yeah, I'm worried it'll damage the brakes if I put 68 hydraulic oil in there. Tractor fluid is designed to lubricate some stuff and allow friction in other places. Probably just gonna drive and buy the correct stuff.

Texasmark · Mar 12, 2019

I read op on a couple of the numbered fluids, like 68 and I think 49 was the other one at my local farm store since I had seen them referenced in www postings but had no idea as to what they were. They seemed to be hyd. fluids, not trans-hyd fluids. Going to miss out on some additives to prevent wear........depends on what you are putting it in, how much of a gambler you are, and whether or not you will just make the change temporarily. If I had a seldom used, or soft used older piece of equipment that had one foot in the grave anyway, why worry. Otherwise.............

Sebculb · Mar 12, 2019

Thanks, I gotta bucket of utf on the way. Expensive and inconvenient but better than a brake rebuild later. This old hoe has 24k hours on it and it's my main livelihood.