Hydraulic fluid

[mechtheist]

Soon I'll be changing my fluids, 3520H, and planned to go with what I used last time, O'Reilly Premium Tractor Fluid. At the time, when I was looking for what to use, I distinctly remember it needed it to be 'antifoaming' and that significantly narrowed the choices available, but when I checked the manual, all it says is "Quality tractor fluid." Is antifoaming important? Any idea where I could have gotten this idea that antifoaming was a requirement? "Quality tractor fluid" ain't exactly the most specific of specifications, anything I should really look for or avoid?

 

[Roadworthy]

I'd just look for a universal tractor fluid. Your transmission generally shares the same reservoir as the hydraulic system so you want to make sure it's properly lubricated.

 

[mechtheist]

'Hydraulic fluid' is sometimes used for 'hydraulic oil' and also for 'tractor fluid'. I've come across at least one hydraulic oil that says it's not for transmissions, so I guess ya gotta read the fine print.

 

[ericm979]

I'd use "premium tractor fluid". Which is an imprecise definition at best. My manual says to use Texaco TDF or 1893.I think the shop manual says Chevron THF500 or 1000. I can't find what 1893 is. There are equivalence pages on the internet for Texaco TDF and Chevron THF.

If you have good parts stores locally you may be able to get the Chevron at a good price. I can't find it locally. I have used Mobil 424 and Duragard semi synthetic. The vicsosity numbers on those are pretty close to the Chevron THF1000. It's hard to tell about the additive package but anything that is "premium" ought to have the additives for wet clutches and brakes that the cheap stuff does not have. The Duragard was inexpensive on Amazon with free shipping. It's also dyed orange which helps with the level in the window.

 

[Cougsfan]

Transmission oil is a highly opinionated subject, you will find countless threads on the forums about it. My dealer told me it isn't as big of deal as some people make it out to be. You don't want to use straight old fashion hydraulic oil though. As long as it says it is premium tractor fluid, HST fluid, etc you are likely OK. The clue is to look for the spec JDM J20C, which nearly all these fluids will list on their label. You will find those fluids ranging from $55 per 5 gallons to $120 per 5 gallons, all will work equally well, however some people will try to convince you your tractor will explode into a giant fireball if you don't use their favorite brand of expensive fluid.

 

[Asteral]

any "premium tractor hydraulic fluid" is what we tell our customers, the only brand i tell them to not use is 303 labeled oils they are just to thin for a branson tractor, that being said there is no specific brand that is required, nor do i know of any special need for an antifoaming agent.
usually we tell people to go to tractor supply or Atwood's, Napa, etc... and grab what they have there under premium tractor hydraulic fluid unless your branson is a century model you may want to go with a slightly lighter weight oil depending on your climate and yearly temps.
hope this helps.

 

[mechtheist]

I'd use "premium tractor fluid". Which is an imprecise definition at best. My manual says to use Texaco TDF or 1893.I think the shop manual says Chevron THF500 or 1000. I can't find what 1893 is. There are equivalence pages on the internet for Texaco TDF and Chevron THF.

If you have good parts stores locally you may be able to get the Chevron at a good price. I can't find it locally. I have used Mobil 424 and Duragard semi synthetic. The vicsosity numbers on those are pretty close to the Chevron THF1000. It's hard to tell about the additive package but anything that is "premium" ought to have the additives for wet clutches and brakes that the cheap stuff does not have. The Duragard was inexpensive on Amazon with free shipping. It's also dyed orange which helps with the level in the window.

This?

Looks good. It's $89 on amazon. Tractor Supply has Mobil Delvac for $60 and their Travelers premium for $48, and O'Reilly's is $58 but they don't want to sell it to me for some reason. Friday, they had 1 5gal in stock and said they would call and have more on Tuesday, they didn't, and trying to buy online, I could get one pickup in store but not 2, said it's unavailable. Weird, that's a very normal, typical thing they do. Try to buy on line have it shipped, it says 'eligible for free shipping', go to checkout and it says 'not available for free shipping'. I hate it when stores do that, they need better shopping software. Especially considering when I tried to keep going to see what shipping would cost, it crashed and sent me to an 'oops' page, so, oops, I'm going elsewhere.

 

[ericm979]

Mobil Delvac is the new name for 424. I used that last time. If it was me I'd get that from TSC if that's convenient. It's not dyed though so go slow adding it so the level does not go over the top of the glass.

Looking at the manual earlier today I spotted that there is a drain plug for the axle housing in addition to the obvious one. Oops, I didn't do that. Which may be why it only took ~9 gallons to refill.

 

[mechtheist]

I am not a big fan of the looking glass method of checking the level, dye would help a lot. I had read that so I knew to look for a 2nd one. I way over-filled on my first change, I must have missed the level creep up the window, or maybe zip would be a better word. I almost almost never see the level in the window, it's supposed to be with everything on the ground I think it says, but if you have something on the back, it's not going to go all the way down for most implements, and what does it mean for the bucket? If it's full out, the boom won't be and the front of the tractor will be off the ground, NOT level. Or is it supposed to be fully curled in? I think the boom can still go lower by at least a bit. What's wrong with another dip stick?

 

[LouNY]

A good dye is available from your friendly John Deere dealer,
also any JD, Case IH , NH dealer will have a multi purpose tractor fluid.
HyTran, HyGard if you wish to stay with a tractor brand fluid.