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

[bgi]

Regarding Deere X700 series with Tuff Torque K92 transaxles, the Deere manual has this to say about the fluid:

"NOTE: Machine is filled with John Deere Low Viscosity HY-GARDｮ (J20D) transmission oil at the factory. DO NOT mix oils.

These machines are equipped with a internal wet disc brake transmission. Use only Low Viscosity HY-GARD (J20D) transmission oil. DO NOT use type 擢 automatic transmission fluid.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Use John Deere Low Viscosity HY-GARD (J20D) transmission oil to reduce transmission noise and to increase response time for the hydraulics and power steering."

I can understand not mixing certain oil types. I can also understand how low viscosity can improve fluid flow thereby improving performance.

However, visit tuff torque's web site and you find this on the K92:

Refill transaxle with aproximately 9.0L (9.5 qt) using ATF Type F as required) to crosshatched area of dipstick.

If Tuff Torque thought ATF Type F was good enough, why not Deere?

Given that the replacement schedule is every 200 hrs, I'm not overly concerned about the expense of HY-GARD, even though it's about $11-$12 a quart! What's the real story? Better hydraulics and power steering performance? Less foaming? Quieter operation? Better quarterly results on JD financials?

Inquiring minds want to know where our $0.30 per hour transaxle fluid money is going.

[TimS]

The manual for my 455 (which uses the same transaxle) says that the HyGuard reduces PTO clutch chatter. I don't know if that's so, but that's what it says. I do know that even though the change interval is 200 hours, the HyGuard does seem to get old after a couple of years - I don't put a lot of hours on. With the old fluid, the tractor motion gets jerky, particularly when the fluid gets hot.

Your price per quart seems very high - last time I got it was in gallon jugs, and I don't remember being shocked by the price.

Tim

[bgi]

Hi, Tim,

Thanks for the info. I do believe I paid too much for the fluid because I wasn't offered a gallon size. Probably two gallons would be a good bit less than 7 quarts. "Quieter operation" in my manual could apply to the PTO chattering. The fluid was changed by the prior owner at 50 hours back in Feb 07. It's at 120 hrs now.

I'll keep an eye out for jerky movement as the 250 hour mark comes up. I doubt I'll put 100 hrs a year on it, although I'm doing a lot more with it than I ever imagined I would after upgrading from the LX280.

thanks again

[Wayne County Hose]

You can use standard tractor fluid. Just make sure it says that it meets the Hy-gard requirements on the label. Manufacturers try to scare people into buying oil from their dealers when it is not necessary. John Deere doesn't make oil, or blend it. Oil companies do it for them. They also sell the oil under different, less expensive labels. I sell oil that is actually a better grade oil than the hy-gard for less than the local John Deere dealer gets for hy-gard.
You paid for a quart what most shops get for a gallon.

[bgi]

Thanks, Wayne. It will be a while before I need to buy any more. If I were changing the oil in a large tractor (using gallons), I would have balked at the price, for sure.

Originally Posted by Wayne County Hose

You paid for a quart what most shops get for a gallon.

No doubt.

[DieselPower]

Just make sure it meets the J20D spec (low viscosity) and you should be fine. Regular HyGard is the J20C spec, that would be to thick.

[bgi]

Thanks for all the detailed info, folks. It's helpful.

[RWEST]

Just changed the transaxle fluid/filter in my X595 this past weekend. After reading your post, I was thinking I'd have to sell some blood plasma or something to pay for it, but, the Low-Vis/HyGard J20D stuff was $12.50/gal at my local J-D guy.

However, visit tuff torque's web site and you find this on the K92:
Refill transaxle with aproximately 9.0L (9.5 qt) using ATF Type F as required) to crosshatched area of dipstick.
If Tuff Torque thought ATF Type F was good enough, why not Deere?

Interesting!!

[bgi]

Grrr....

[Hardscrabbble]

I changed my K92 Tuff Torq transmission fluid this past spring. I change it every two years regardless of hours. Having worked for a company that designed and built transmissions. I can tell you a lot of testing goes into the proper hydraulic type of fluids to be used in a transmission. Granted most companies do not make their own fluids but a lot of engineering time takes place between the lubricant mfg. and the equipment mfg. to get a lubricant that meets the specs. needed by the equipment mfg. I personally know of one ocassion where a full tanker load of oil was rejected at the build factory because it did not pass the equipment mfg. lab test specs. It probably ended up in 10,000 plastic bottles on many different store shelves. So while I am not suggesting that aftermarket products that meet factory specs. are not O.K. to use I am sure they are. I am just saying for me and from my experience I stick with the OEM hydraulic fluids. If John Deere says J20D Hy-Gard Low-Visc. then thats what I use.