Why HY-GARD instead of ATF type F in Deere X700 series?

[mjncad]

Deere tells me to use Hy-Gard or equal, so I use Hy-Gard. I'm not going to look at oil labels to see if Mal-Wart fluid meets JD specs or not. I figure I have enough invested in my rig, that trying to be cheap at every 200 hours fluid change is not worth it to me by using questionable fluids. I figure Deere knows my tractor better than I do; so who am I to argue.

However, I do my own 200 hour services to save money on dealer labor and transport charges since I don't own a trailer.

 

[RalphVa]

Just changed it out on my 4010. It was $12.92/gallon for the low vis HyGard at the JD dealer. Takes 2.6 gallons. That works out to 17 cents/hr. Actually, I went about 230 hours on it. Think the main reason they say to change it out is to keep the filter from collapsing. Two hundred hours is about the equivalent of 10,000 automotive miles. Guess that's a lot on a filter (but after that first 50 hours, there ain't much for the filter to take out). On automotive transmissions (stick) and differentials using gear oil, I just run them until the seals start to sling oil (generally in excess of 100k miles; got 144k on my Toyota with original oils; changed on the Benz first time at about this mileage). Then change the oil. Tightens the seals up (new oil actually swells them some).

If there was a way to change out the hydraulic filter without losing all the oil, I'd just change the filter. Could do it if they just put a twist-on external filter, like on the engine (oil that I just change today, too).

Ralph

 

[mjncad]

I forgot to mention I use the regular viscosity Hy-Gard based on the ambient temperatures I generally operate in. I notice the tractor runs better on the regular viscosity oil. I so rarely use my tractor in cold temperatures that I can afford to wait for the oil to warm up to normal operating temperature. Having the tractor garaged all the time helps too, even in an unheated garage.

 

[JGY]

Strange ....

My John Deere dealer sells the Hy-Gard for about $3.50/quart ....

Curious ....

 

[jimg]

JD hosted a panel discussion on RFD TV not too many months ago where they discussed lubricants/coolants. They stated as a company they put considerable time into lubricant engineering and work closely w/ mfgs to come up w/ formulations to meet their needs. The point was made that the additive pkg is what makes their lubricants unique and perform to spec. So, while there may be other oils that would work they wouldnt provide the protections or perf characteristics a branded oil would.

 

[Farmerford]

John Deere HY-Gard J20C (regular viscosity) now (says it) meets Kubota Super UDT specs. It is about $11.00/gallon in 5 gallon pails at the local JD construction equipment dealer. I find that both JD and Caterpillar are fairly competitive on consumables that have competition in the market. The price difference over the big box/auto parts brands such as Coastal, etc. is not enough for me to justify the risk. Hy-Gard is suitable for both Hydrostatic and Glide Shift Kubota transmissions and Kubota front axles, as well as my John Deere crawler (all drive train and hydraulic system) and Caterpillar crawler (except final drives). That is a lot easier to keep up with than three or four different oils.

I think there are two requirements in a wet brake system that ATF fluid may not meet. Since the brakes are designed to slip the friction modifier has to meet narrow specifications to keep them from chattering. In the automatic transmission, the clutches engage quickly and chattering is less of an issue. In addition, the slipping of wet brakes quickly breaks down viscosity index improvers in a multi-viscosity oil. I think many ATF fluids have VI improvers that would have a short life in a wet brake system.

I am not a salesman for JD or Cat, but for filters (for their machines), oils, greases, supplemental coolant additives, etc. their prices are usually not much over the competition and I think the quality is unquestionable. For JD, the construction equipment dealer is likely to have the best prices on JD products because his construction company customers shop for the best prices on oils, greases, etc.