Any thought about using 20w50 synthetic oil? I use it in my motorcycle, zero turn and Ford F-250. Wondered how it would do all my transmission with 3point 1720 loader. I have a 1995 l 355 SS with loader.
Hydraulic and transmission oil.
- Thread starter David-in-OK
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TheOldHokie
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L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
This topic has been discussed before. Engine oil is formulated for use in an engine and is inferior in just about all regards to a universal tractor transmission oil which is formulated specifically for use in common sump tractor applications. They are distinctly different products with distinctly different performance requirements and applications.
Dan
Thanks. Because it's recommended for my hydrostatic transmission, I thought it might have application in the loader.
TheOldHokie
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fried1765
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Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Yup!
20W-50 motor oil is recommended for the transmission in my SCAG Liberty Z zero turn mower.
I would not even think about using 20W-50 motor oil in my tractor transmissions.
The smart people at the tractor manufacturers were paid to specify what standards of fluids and service intervals we should use to get optimal performance and longevity from our equipment.
It's the job of homeowners to second guess the engineers recommendations and offer ways to avoid servicing their equipment and suggest substitutes for fluids and filters.
It's the job of homeowners to second guess the engineers recommendations and offer ways to avoid servicing their equipment and suggest substitutes for fluids and filters.
fried1765
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Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
WAY too heavy and has some additives that are completely unnecessary in a hydraulic oil.
UDT2 is about 25w. JD's lovis Hygard is about 20w. Think the hi vis is closer to UDT2. Not 10w like ATF.
I worked at a company that made hydraulic equipment. We prototyped parts and bearings that would give increased longevity to the equipment. We didn't introduce them because we made very good profits on replacement parts. Engineers are paid to recommend methods and parts that increase profits to their companies.
TheOldHokie
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UDT and HyGard (J20C) are both 10W30 oils as are the vast majority of UTTOs - KV100 around 9.5 cSt, VI north of 140,, and Brookfield viscosity of 70000 cP @ -40C
SUDT2 and low-vis HyGard (J20D) are both 5W20 oils - KV100 around 8 cSt, VI approaching 200, and Brookfield viscosity around 18000 cP @ -40C. That along with superior ability to absorb H2O is what differentiates them from the traditional formulations..
Dan
I'd check around for a service update. A later manual for my L245 has a note to replace the old type oil used in the transmission with UDT and the next interval. If Kubota did that for a unit from 1977, I'd think they did the same for yours.
Many years ago, I had a 78 Pontiac Sunbird with 3 speed automatic trans. While traveling to Indiana with my wife, a trans cooling line ruptured. Was out in the middle of nowhere and managed to find a rubber hose that I forced onto the metal trans cooler tube. I secured it in place with 3 zip ties. I didn't have ATF, only 10W40 motor oil. So, I used it. Later on, I flushed out the trans and replaced the hose with a proper one.
From that point until I scrapped the car (~2 years later), the trans would not go into 2nd gear. I suppose I gummed up the trans internals.
From that point until I scrapped the car (~2 years later), the trans would not go into 2nd gear. I suppose I gummed up the trans internals.
Being in the transmission business since 79', adding 10W-40 oil did not cause your 2nd gear issue. It was most likely loosing the ATF, via the leak, while driving that did the damage. More often then not, such damage doesn't turn up until a later date.
They only did this this because of low temp concerns of the 80wt gear oil, from what I've been told. We just recently switched to a utto in my old man's L245dt and haven't noticed any better or worse performance from it. Neither in cold nor heat does it seem to work better or worse. Being gear drive and having a loader on it, it's not a very complicated machine and let's face it the gear drive trans don't have the high load that a hydrostatic trans does on fluid.
Common for zero turns it seems, exmark and ferris call for a 20w50 weight oil in the hydro as well.
We had an old L180 NH skid loader that called for 10w30 oil in the hydraulic system, but needed some sort of additive put in it, came in quart bottles we would get from messicks. 90% sure the hydraulic reservoir supplied oil to the lift and hydrostatic pumps.
TheOldHokie
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L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
UTTO is an SAE 80 gear oil. KV100 of 9.5 puts it on the high end of the grade 80 viscosity range and the EP treat rate gets it a GL-4 service category. The difference is it has a VI of 140 which makes it much better hydraulic oil in colder weather.
Dan