Farmtrac Front Axle Gear Oil

[toltec]

I have a 390 HST 4-Wheel Drive. Does anyone know what gear oil goes in the front axle? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[GManBart]

That should be listed in the owner's manual. If you don't have one, I've seen them listed on Ebay and a couple of sites...think they run about $40. I wouldn't take a chance with the front axle oil on a 4WD tractor....repairs can get expensive! Some don't even use gear oil at all. For example, my backhoe uses hydraulic/transmission fluid in the front axle.

 

[ray66v]

Some don't even use gear oil at all. For example, my backhoe uses hydraulic/transmission fluid in the front axle.

Hydraulic transmission oil, is actually gear oil, with a different additive package.

That's why, they can often be interchanged in a differential.

 

[GManBart]

Hydraulic transmission oil, is actually gear oil, with a different additive package.

That's why, they can often be interchanged in a differential.

Okay, so you're saying they're different....which is what I said. That additive package is important (at least for some applications), and what differentiates the two types of oil.

At some point engine oil, gear oil, transmission oil, and hydraulic oil are all just oils with different additive packages if we want to drill down far enough, but I don't think it's really relevant to the OP's question.

The important point is that the OP should find a manual, or someone with one, to figure out what the manufacturer recommends for the application.

 

[ray66v]

Okay, so you're saying they're different....which is what I said. That additive package is important (at least for some applications), and what differentiates the two types of oil.

At some point engine oil, gear oil, transmission oil, and hydraulic oil are all just oils with different additive packages if we want to drill down far enough, but I don't think it's really relevant to the OP's question.

The important point is that the OP should find a manual, or someone with one, to figure out what the manufacturer recommends for the application.

I actually said they are not really different, in that application. Both are technically gear oil. And, often interchangeable, in axles.

Sorry. But, your original statement suggested to me, you did not understand that.

Of course, he should find out what is spec'd for his application. He seems to be attempting to do that.

 

[GManBart]

I actually said they are not really different, in that application. Both are technically gear oil. And, often interchangeable, in axles.

You're contradicting yourself. You said "they're the same with a different additive package." If they have different additive packages, they're different, and aren't interchangeable in every situation. In any general category of oil they all start with a similar base oil and the additive package is what makes the suitable for various applications.

 

[ray66v]

You're contradicting yourself. You said "they're the same with a different additive package." If they have different additive packages, they're different, and aren't interchangeable in every situation. In any general category of oil they all start with a similar base oil and the additive package is what makes the suitable for various applications.

What I said was clear, most people will see that.

You are changing what I said, and adding things I never said, to try and make me wrong.

Spin it any way you like.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I have a 390 HST 4-Wheel Drive. Does anyone know what gear oil goes in the front axle? Thanks in advance for any help.

I have a 360 DTC which is basically the same tractor except not hydrostatic and the manual for mine states 10.5 quarts of SAE 90 gear lube or equivalent for the front axle, 2.21 quarts of the same for the final drive housing, and 24.3 quarts of Conoco tractor hydraulic fluid for the transmission housing which operate everything else like wet brakes hydraulic pump, power steering etc. Lastly apparently they feel that their is a difference in the 2 types of fluids. Hope this helps. Charlie.

 

[ray66v]

Lastly apparently they feel that their is a difference in the 2 types of fluids.

This is what they all did, before they started using one fluid.

Gear oil, particularly EP gear oil, is designed for one purpose. To protect hypoid gears. It does offer an extra degree of protection under extreme pressures. Hypoid gears can create extreme pressures.

Sometimes, a manufacturer decides that extra protection is necessary in their differential, so they spec gear oil.

Often, they spec either the transmission oil, or gear oil.

Sometimes, they spec only the transmission oil.

Sometimes, they change the spec. Where they used to use gear oil, and decided to switch to transmission oil, like many manufacturers. (For convince?) So, an older manual may show one product, and a newer one will show another.

Yes, there are sometimes reasons that cause them to favor one over the other.

All the time, all this ambiguity, causes significant confusion about it.

I spent time researching this, and discussed it with engineers, who have significant credentials.

I put synthetic, EP gear oil in a differential, even if it's not spec'd, unless it is specifically forbidden.

It may not make any difference. But, it's only a few bucks more.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I'm good with whatever anyone is comfortable or satisfied using, I just quoted what my manual stated for and by Farmtrac, for the record I use Universal Tractor Fluid in my transmission.