Mixing transmission fluids

KenPauling · Jan 8, 2010

I have a 4 year old NH TN65D Diesel tractor that I have always used NH134 transmission/Hydro fluid in. My dealer has dropped New Holland tractors and switched to John Deere. He no longer handles the NH 134 He sold me the JD stuff. I asked him if mixing the John Deere Transmission/Hyd fluid with the NH 134 would be OK. He said yes, but does anybody have experience or knowledge about mixing Hyd fluids? I don't want to ruin my tractor. I know mixing different engine oils can sometimes be a bad idea. The dealer says the JD hyd. fluid is a better grade of stuff and will mix OK. Is this bull ?

D7E · Jan 9, 2010

He's just trying to sell you JD oil.If you read most reports say IH HY-TRAN is the best but we've always bought whatevers convenient at the time or is cheapest once they're out of warranty.

MikePA · Jan 9, 2010

KenPauling said:
I know mixing different engine oils can sometimes be a bad idea. The dealer says the JD hyd. fluid is a better grade of stuff and will mix OK. Is this bull ?

I've never heard mixing engine oil nor trans fluid causing problems. If the fluid meets the specs in your operators manual, it's OK, regardless who makes it.

Thomas · Jan 9, 2010

If tractor still under warranty I would continue to use fluids suggested,just in case something should go wrong it doesn't come back bite.

RickB · Jan 9, 2010

D7E said:
He's just trying to sell you JD oil.If you read most reports say IH HY-TRAN is the best but we've always bought whatevers convenient at the time or is cheapest once they're out of warranty.

Hytran Ultra has a different viscosity profile than 134D, JD Hygard does not. The Hygard meets the 134D spec, or so I have been told. Either will work in a TN tractor, the HyGard is a closer match to the factory fill 134D. If the TN was a CIH JXU (identical drivetrain), it would have Hytran Ultra as the factory fill. Bottom line is, a 4 year old TN probably is ready for a hydraulic oil change anyway. Drain it and start over with a fresh batch of your choice. To answer your question, HyGard mixes with 134 without problems.

KenPauling · Jan 9, 2010

Thanks for all the advice! Everybodys input is really appreciated! Everytime I get on Tractorbynet, I learn something. My TN65D is the best tractor I ever owned. It only has 364 hours on it and its 4 years old. I have changed the Hyd /tranny fluid and filter twice since I bought it. This time will be the first time I used something different than all NH134 in it. Since its out of warranty, I do not have to worry about voiding anything. I just wanted to make sure if I add some 134 to the JD stuff, it won't cause problems. The dealer I bought the tractor from, bought an entire truckload of the JD hyd fluid and is selling it for less than $60.00 for a 5 gallon bucket! Since he had no 134, and said the JD fluid was OK to mix with the 134, I bought 2 buckets of the stuff. I just needed to double check about mixing 134 with the JD stuff.

Soundguy · Jan 10, 2010

to go a bit further.. I don't mind topping off with a compatible oil, if I am adding a quart or gallon to a 5-10 gallon sump.. but if I need more than a few and it's already ready for a change anyway.. like rick indicated.. go whole hog with new oil ..

soundguy

D7E · Jan 10, 2010

RickB said:
Hytran Ultra has a different viscosity profile than 134D, JD Hygard does not. The Hygard meets the 134D spec, or so I have been told. Either will work in a TN tractor, the HyGard is a closer match to the factory fill 134D. If the TN was a CIH JXU (identical drivetrain), it would have Hytran Ultra as the factory fill. Bottom line is, a 4 year old TN probably is ready for a hydraulic oil change anyway. Drain it and start over with a fresh batch of your choice. To answer your question, HyGard mixes with 134 without problems.

I'm not looking for an arguement on this but i know myself and most neighbours will mix HY-tran,deere,ford,castrol and even no names like walmart in very expensive combines,dozers and tractors and have done so for a very long time,I can remember when everything ran on "SUTO" oil from front to back in the 80's and was used by JD dealers and this mish mash of oils kept machines running trouble free for 10'000hrs,..?
Do you think a IH dealer is going to use the appropiate oil to top up a rear end on a used ford sitting on their lot..?

RickB · Jan 10, 2010

D7E said:
I'm not looking for an arguement on this but i know myself and most neighbours will mix HY-tran,deere,ford,castrol and even no names like walmart in very expensive combines,dozers and tractors and have done so for a very long time,I can remember when everything ran on "SUTO" oil from front to back in the 80's and was used by JD dealers and this mish mash of oils kept machines running trouble free for 10'000hrs,..?
Do you think a IH dealer is going to use the appropiate oil to top up a rear end on a used ford sitting on their lot..?

I didn't say they weren't compatible, or that mixing would cause problems. The OP asked about HyGard and 134D, not HyTran. Inappropriate oils can cause delamination of lined clutch and brake discs as well as annoying brake chatter and seal degradation. It is difficult to predict if or when these symptoms will apear, if at all.