3215HST Hydraulic Fluid - Mixing Brands

Farmerboy · Dec 12, 2009

So here is the problem....

I'm ready to change the hydraulic fluid in my 3215HST. Last week I went to my dealer to get the filters and Universal Tractor Fluid (UTF). Got the filters and one (1) 5-gallon bucket of Gulf brand UTF. When I got home, I noticed 1.) that I actually need 8 gallons of UTF, and 2.) the dealer charged me $78 for the 5-gallon bucket.

So, rather than go the whole way back to the dealer, I'd rather go to Walmart and get another 5-gallon bucket of Shell brand UTF (for $55) and then simply add both brands when I empty and replace the fluid.

Other than not being "a best practice", does anyone see anything wrong with this approach "technically"?

bp fick · Dec 12, 2009

First, go stand in the corner! You got yourself a "time out" for failing to know what the capacity of the HST was going to be in advance, and for not asking while at the dealership!!!!

Farmerboy · Dec 12, 2009

Oh no, this warrants a "go kick yourself in the pants" - standing in the corner is not nearly severe enough.

In all honesty, I just "assumed" that the dealer would give me everything I needed - including the right amount of fluid. Live and learn.

wallace · Dec 12, 2009

Maybe go back and tell the dealer owner that his parts people are not doing there job and maybe he should have his parts guy stand in the corner for not going the extra distance for the customer

and his employer!

Not for nothing guys and no disrespect to the customers but my people are trained to make sure we not only get you the parts you need but they also try and upsell....that's why when you walk in my place there are POP's set up everywhere.

Sergei · Dec 12, 2009

"In all honesty, I just "assumed" that the dealer would give me everything I needed - including the right amount of fluid"

Before doing anything you need to sit down with a cup of coffee and read the owners manual, it will give you all the info you need with the exception of where all five drain bolts are for the HST transmission, they hide two from you in the manual.
Unless you asked the dealer what you needed he may have assumed you new what you were doing and only sold you what you ask for.
I do think he over charged you for your oil, I paid a lot less for Chevron 1000 THF in 5 gallon container this past summer when I changed my tractor.

MtnViewRanch · Dec 12, 2009

wallace said:
Maybe go back and tell the dealer owner that his parts people are not doing there job and maybe he should have his parts guy stand in the corner for not going the extra distance for the customer and his employer!

Not for nothing guys and no disrespect to the customers but my people are trained to make sure we not only get you the parts you need but they also try and upsell....that's why when you walk in my place there are POP's set up everywhere.

Rick, I'm a moron, and my wife wants to know why you would have Piles Of Poop set up everywhere?

Would you please tell us what POP's is an acronym for.

Farmerboy · Dec 13, 2009

Sergei said:
"In all honesty, I just "assumed" that the dealer would give me everything I needed - including the right amount of fluid"

Before doing anything you need to sit down with a cup of coffee and read the owners manual, it will give you all the info you need with the exception of where all five drain bolts are for the HST transmission, they hide two from you in the manual.
Unless you asked the dealer what you needed he may have assumed you new what you were doing and only sold you what you ask for.
I do think he over charged you for your oil, I paid a lot less for Chevron 1000 THF in 5 gallon container this past summer when I changed my tractor.

Not wanting to take this thread in a different direction, but I can't tell you how many discrepencies, errors, and other such Quality Control issues I've found in all three of manuals for my 3215 Tractor/Loader/Backhoe. This really came as a surprise to me given 1.) that there is a QC sticker on the front of each manual, and 2.) Mahindra actually won the Demming award.

Sergei · Dec 13, 2009

Farmerboy said:
Not wanting to take this thread in a different direction, but I can't tell you how many discrepencies, errors, and other such Quality Control issues I've found in all three of manuals for my 3215 Tractor/Loader/Backhoe. This really came as a surprise to me given 1.) that there is a QC sticker on the front of each manual, and 2.) Mahindra actually won the Demming award.

Like I have mentioned before in another posting it seems that two different departments wrote the operators manual and the factory service manual on the tractor. It wasn't until I start looking at the service manual that I finally found the other two bolts for draining the transmission oil, and I'm not sure but there maybe another one located behind the seat, won't know until next summer when I do another drain. You have to remember that Mahindra didn't make this series tractor and it came from Mitsubishi, so that might help explain the Demming Award issue and most likely the translation issue between manuals.

MtnViewRanch · Dec 13, 2009

Sergei said:
Like I have mentioned before in another posting it seems that two different departments wrote the operators manual and the factory service manual on the tractor. It wasn't until I start looking at the service manual that I finally found the other two bolts for draining the transmission oil, and I'm not sure but there maybe another one located behind the seat, won't know until next summer when I do another drain. You have to remember that Mahindra didn't make this series tractor and it came from Mitsubishi, so that might help explain the Demming Award issue and most likely the translation issue between manuals.

One of the HUGE problems today is that companies have people designing, writing manuals, etc, that have never even seen let alone worked with what they are dealing with. I know this first hand from my niece, who is one of these people. She writes instruction manuals for a giant company. She has never even seen the stuff, let alone has any idea how it works, and yet she is the one that writes the instruction manuals.