Oil & Fuel Substitute for JDM J20A, or Hyguard, or Quatrol...

[Newtonx1]

I'm sure this has been discussed many times but I can't find anything relatively recent. I just purchased an 85 JD 950 with a Westendorf loader and JD 8 back-hoe. I am going through the fluids and yesterday was told by the JD dealer that their fluid (Hyguard) was $80 for a 5 gallon bucket. WTF!!!? $16 per gallon is a bit ridiculous! I don't have $160 to spend on fluid that may end up being replaced again in the spring. Are there any decent substitutes out there, in the $35-45 per 5 gallon range?

When looking at the user manual that came with the machine I fall into the right side...



Thanks for the assist!

 

[oldnslo]

Most tractor supply stores have a universal hydraulic fluid. I would suggest reading the labels to see if any of them state they meet the specs of JD J20A or Hyguard.

 

[MORRISONSTEEL]

Many aftermarket hyd oil shows they meet the bare bones j20 specs from the late 60's/early 70's....however there is no real regulation to prove that they meet the claims. To avoid the ones that are most likely not able to meet the specs the package will say something along the lines of "recommended where j20c is specified" instead of actually making the claim that they meet the specs. They are basically saying they did not meet the 40 some year old spec w/out actually saying it.

 

[beenthere]

Wouldn't be taking any such chances on my watch.. Oil is cheap compared to the possible repair bills. IMO

 

[TractorGuy]

Label on Traveler (Tractor Supply) Brand Premium Hyd Fluid. Normally sells for $37. They run it on sale some times for $29. I have got lucky once or twice and found it on sale while I had a 10% off coupon. That's when I buy 5 or 6 buckets to keep on hand.

 

[Wagtail]

Wouldn't be taking any such chances on my watch.. Oil is cheap compared to the possible repair bills. IMO

x2.

Also, why would the OP be looking to replace/change all of the hydraulic again, come (your) Spring? :confused3:

 

[Newtonx1]

x2.

Also, why would the OP be looking to replace/change all of the hydraulic again, come (your) Spring? :confused3:

It's not that I'm looking to, I don't know a lot about this tractor. Picked it up for a song and it's been sitting outside for 4 or so years. I've read in many forums that guys run into the same issue (phlegm like fluids on the screen and more water in the system) as things begin to warm up. My intent is to put new in and check again in the spring.

 

[beenthere]

"Picked it up for a song" then for sure I'd go with best fluid you can. If there is an eventual problem, at least you can say for sure it was not the fluid that you found cheap.. again, just my opinion and how I'd proceed.

But you could drain the fluid, check out the condition of the screen and then make the decision.. if it looks bad, then put in cheap to run til Spring and flush the system.
Then exchange with new oil and figure you have the system cleaned up much better.

Wish you well and a long-term great investment in the 950.

 

[Tx Jim]

IMHO the cheapest grade hyd oil that meets 303 spec's will be more than adequate for a JD 950. IIRC 950 had dry type clutches & brakes.

 

[Newtonx1]

"Picked it up for a song" then for sure I'd go with best fluid you can. If there is an eventual problem, at least you can say for sure it was not the fluid that you found cheap.. again, just my opinion and how I'd proceed.

But you could drain the fluid, check out the condition of the screen and then make the decision.. if it looks bad, then put in cheap to run til Spring and flush the system.
Then exchange with new oil and figure you have the system cleaned up much better.

Wish you well and a long-term great investment in the 950.

Thanks. It was milky white and the screen was damaged, tore and covered in "snot". A friend recommended just that, run it with el cheapo, drain it and fill it with the good stuff.

Appreciate the assist!