tractor fluid VS #46 hydrolic fluid

[Big Hammer]

Hoping I'm posting in the right place here...

I recently bought a Satoh Buck; been working fine... until I added fluid to the transmission.

This may be a coincidence, not sure. I knew that the trans uses hydrolic fluid, as it has a FEL. I checked the level of fluid - too low. I added some #46hydrolic fluid (not too much) Went back to mowing, everything was going fine, no symptoms at all until it simply would not engage into reverse. Forward gears all working fine.

Did I use the wrong fluid? (only operated for 1/2 hr before the failure, after adding fluid)

Today I looked at the different lubricants at the farm store. They had something called 'universal tractor flluid' or something like that. Is that what I should have used? (rather than the #46 hydrolic fluid)

If so, did I do damage to the trans? Should I drain all of the fluid back out and start over??

Thanks if you can help.

What should I do ?

Mark

 

[RWEST]

I can't imagine putting a small amount of #46 hydraulic fluid in there would cause a problem like you describe.

Is it a geared tractor (vs hydrostatic)? Not that it would make a difference, just curious....

Bill Rodgers is a member here, and a Satoh guy - maybe he can help? His profile lists his number as 1-800-609-5110.

 

[Big Hammer]

The tractor is a 'geared' tractor. But when I said I put in "not too much" fluid, the amount it took was almost a gallon - but I didn't overfill it. (At least I don't think it is over filled) The level is way down inside the case still.

Could the shifting forks / linkage be the problem?

Is there a problem with mixing the two types of fluid? Drain it all out?

Thanks again,

Mark

 

[Hematite]

I don't see how the wrong fluid, if it really is wrong, would affect a gear tranny.

When you were mowing could you have driven over a branch that might have jammed in the linkage?

 

[DieselPower]

There is a difference in the two types of fluid. One is a hydraulic oil only and the other is a UTF (universal tractor fluid). The hydraulic fluid/oil is designed for one thing only and that is as a hydraulic fluid. UTF type products have a greatly different additive package than plain hydraulic oils. They have friction modifiers as are needed in hydrostatic transmissions, EP (extreme pressure) additives for things like gears, usually have a much higher anti-foam additive package and so on. Using a UTF type oil as hydraulic oil is fine, using a hydraulic oil where a UTF type oil should be used isn't.

You said you added a gallon of hydraulic oil, what is your system capacity? Adding a little probably won't cause any problems but the more of it that there is in the system the more it is going to dilute the additive package of the UTF oil.

 

[Soundguy]

You trans likely doesn't take hyd fluid.. but rather utf fluid... what you added was the equivalent of 'jack oil'...

good luck!

soundguy

Hoping I'm posting in the right place here...

I recently bought a Satoh Buck; been working fine... until I added fluid to the transmission.

This may be a coincidence, not sure. I knew that the trans uses hydrolic fluid, as it has a FEL. I checked the level of fluid - too low. I added some #46hydrolic fluid (not too much) Went back to mowing, everything was going fine, no symptoms at all until it simply would not engage into reverse. Forward gears all working fine.

Did I use the wrong fluid? (only operated for 1/2 hr before the failure, after adding fluid)

Today I looked at the different lubricants at the farm store. They had something called 'universal tractor flluid' or something like that. Is that what I should have used? (rather than the #46 hydrolic fluid)

If so, did I do damage to the trans? Should I drain all of the fluid back out and start over??

Thanks if you can help.

What should I do ?

Mark

 

[kenstrac]

One of my customers had a buck it takes UTF the problem might be caused by the low oil level that you had or by another problem. BTW keep an eye on the front bolster where it bolts to the engine they tend to break bolts there the original bolts were soft.

 

[Big Hammer]

Thankyou for all the suggestions. Still working on the solution, but now I'm a little more informed!

Anybody need a Satoh Buck w/ no reverse? (kidding)

Mark