Oil type in front axle L2550DT??

[murffrompcola]

A friend of mine just aquired a 2550 and we are in the process of fluid changes. He was told to put hydro fluid in the front diff but what we removed seemed like gear oil, although well past its service limit. I know it is an old tractor and no telling what was put in there by the pre owner, just wanted some input on what to replace it with. Thanks for any input!!

 

[bruceatlam]

80/90 Gear Oil

 

[Happyman]

Yep. 80/90 gear oil. My L3940 manual says I could also use UDT/SUDT. But I'm old school and just can't see hydro fluid protecting and lubricating a 4wd front axle as well as 80/90 gear oil will.

 

[Bulldog]

I can understand designing something to take hyd oil as a lube. The same thing for something taking gear oil. I have never understood how one application can take either a 30 weight hyd oil for as lubricant or a 80/90 weight gear oil. Such a big difference between these two lubricants.

I guess that's why I walk around with cow crap on my boots and the guy who figured that one out talks funny and likes sushi.

 

[SpudHauler]

I think the sort answer is related to heat. Warm climate 80/90, cold 30 hyd oil. Heavy oils hardly pour here in Canada in the winter so you can just imagine what the bearings and gears are being subject to with 80/90 in a cold climate. Same for udt/sudt, udt for warm regions and sudt for us cold Kanucks.

Now the question, which would do the most damage in the long run? Warm climate and light oil (30 weight) or cold climate and heavy oil (80/90).

My opinion, 80/90 in cold climate.

But, there is always a but, if you are not regularly maintaining your equipment, regular service, either will fail.