fortec
Member
I'm curious to know where you are getting JD 303 fluid from as it's an obsolete specification. It was dropped during the 70s as it was based on sperm oil and therefore cannot now legally be used as a lubricant.
ATF in place of UTF, for tractor?
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careyo63
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The Lubriguard Pic. I posted TSC. Tractor Supply Company.
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California
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Here's NAPA's listing for Warren 303 tractor fluid. I think Warren is the provider for TSC and Autozone as well.
NAPA AUTO PARTS -Warren 303
Its claimed suitable for the same applications as JD303. Seems to me that's close enough for our elderly tractors that specify 'JD303'.
NAPA AUTO PARTS -Warren 303
Its claimed suitable for the same applications as JD303. Seems to me that's close enough for our elderly tractors that specify 'JD303'.
fortec
Member
It might well be an 'ok' product but you do have to be careful because since as the spec is no longer maintained there is no control of it's quality other than that of the producer. In some cases it has been found that quality has been lacking in some of these types of product, in some instances due to gross additive undertreatment. If you want a safer option it would be to go to a fluid with a current spec such as J20C/D.
Here's an article showing what I mean,
http://www.pqiamerica.com/THF Reprint.pdf
Here's an article showing what I mean,
http://www.pqiamerica.com/THF Reprint.pdf
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woolyAcres
Platinum Member
The one I'm using, like California mentioned, is for JD303 applications. I'm willing to move away from it to something that would be better in the cold. Maybe I should be more concerned about it meeting a spec from the 70's (although my tractor was manufactured in the early 80 and that's still what the recommend), but it feels like sticking with the manufactures' recommendation would be best. I'll look at J20C/D.
fortec
Member
The one to look for if low temperature is a concern is J20D. The KV requirement is 7.0 cSt at 100C and the BV is 20,000 cP max at -40C. My advice though is to stick with one of the major companies such as Mobil, Shell, etc.
Soundguy
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yup.. there are cold weather UTF's
As far as lubes in an old tractor.. It's likely anything is better than nothing, or better than dirty.
I know I have draines what i am sure was 50w engine oil out of ford N rear ends before.
While I wouldn't put atf in a new machine. If I was out and about and my hyds needed oil and all I had was atf.. I'd use it..
As far as lubes in an old tractor.. It's likely anything is better than nothing, or better than dirty.
I know I have draines what i am sure was 50w engine oil out of ford N rear ends before.
While I wouldn't put atf in a new machine. If I was out and about and my hyds needed oil and all I had was atf.. I'd use it..
clemsonfor
Super Member
I discarded the Bucket Yrs. ago but found this old pic. I used on TBN of all places around 2008.From TSC. 32F was hard to believe.
I bought some JD303/UTF at TSC on black friday. Not sure what brand it was it may well be Lubrigaurd. Its in a yeallow bucket, i looked up the specs on thier online site cause i had heard some of the cheap TSC stuff only went down to 30F or so. SPecs were not on bucket but the specs online list like 32F-104F or something like that. That leaves most of the country not being able to use it if you worry about specs, say 3 months of the year.
clemsonfor
Super Member
Its called 303 spec. I would imagine it superceeds that spec but is still called 303 fluid or meets that spec as there is thousands of owners out there with manuals and such that list that as fluid to use. If it just said HyGaurd or whatever the current JD standard fluid is the guy may question or not know who is just a casual owner and wants 303 fluid.
clemsonfor
Super Member
But many of these 303 type buckets list like 35 other specs on them , look at that bucket in the pic on page one. Its just not 303 spec
