Trans/Hydraulic Oil vs. Gear Oil?

[pratera]

Earlier this year I was unable to get away from work to maintain my families property so my grandmother hired someone to maintain our land for a few months. This guy sold her some story about how our Zetor 5211 needed repairs and she let him take it home to work on it he never brought it back. Six months later, after calling the county sheriff and pretty much stalking the guy I have my tractor back, in poor condition. Anyway thats not my question.

When I got my tractor back I discovered a half empty bottle of Universall Trans/Hydraulic Oil onboard. Now my tractor calls for 80w 90 in the gearbox which also serves the brakes and hydraulics. I think this guy filled my tractor up with this stuff. I've never even heard of it before. The hydraulic fluid I've seen before was red in color but this stuff looked just like gear oil was thick like gear oil and unfortunately smelled like gear oil. Which got me wondering what this trans/hydraulic oil is. Is it the same as 80w 90? It has no grade markings on it or viscosity info. Anyone have any experience with this stuff? Is it safe for my tractor or do I need to change it out ASAP?

 

[brandoro]

I'd change it just to be sure of what is in there before using it any more. New oil is way cheaper than new parts.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Change all your fluids asap so you know whats in there.

As for UTF its very common used on about 90% of all modern tractors.

Chris

 

[SensibleNick]

I had a similar question about oils not so long ago, so I'm going to chime in for Pratera with a simple thing I had to look up (and all you other guys probably know well)

"UTF" = Universal Tractor Fluid. Essentially a thick hydraulic oil with a high impact additive to make it friendly to transmissions and gear meshing.

 

[_RaT_]

Earlier this year I was unable to get away from work to maintain my families property so my grandmother hired someone to maintain our land for a few months. This guy sold her some story about how our Zetor 5211 needed repairs and she let him take it home to work on it he never brought it back. Six months later, after calling the county sheriff and pretty much stalking the guy I have my tractor back, in poor condition. Anyway thats not my question.

When I got my tractor back I discovered a half empty bottle of Universall Trans/Hydraulic Oil onboard. Now my tractor calls for 80w 90 in the gearbox which also serves the brakes and hydraulics. I think this guy filled my tractor up with this stuff. I've never even heard of it before. The hydraulic fluid I've seen before was red in color but this stuff looked just like gear oil was thick like gear oil and unfortunately smelled like gear oil. Which got me wondering what this trans/hydraulic oil is. Is it the same as 80w 90? It has no grade markings on it or viscosity info. Anyone have any experience with this stuff? Is it safe for my tractor or do I need to change it out ASAP?

Hmm, 80W90 serving as the hydraulic oil, I've not seen that before. Must have slow hydraulics when its really cold.

 

[Soundguy]

Hmm, 80W90 serving as the hydraulic oil, I've not seen that before. Must have slow hydraulics when its really cold.

QUITE common on older systems.

old ford N's and fergy's had scotch yoke piston pumps that used 90w oil in the hyds...

soundguy

 

[_RaT_]

QUITE common on older systems.

old ford N's and fergy's had scotch yoke piston pumps that used 90w oil in the hyds...

soundguy

Well that explains it, they had "scotch" to help out on those cold days. :laughing:

 

[sw03]

This topic has come up many times here for years...

My take since years ago has been hyd is not for gear apps.

 

[_RaT_]

This topic has come up many times here for years...

My take since years ago has been hyd is not for gear apps.

Really, its quite standard today. Every Kubota I have ever purchased uses hydraulic fluid in the front axle and of course, the transmission/hydraulic pump for external hydraulics. Even my old IH 454D used hydraulic fluid exclusively. Don't all manual transmissions use a light weight oil instead of "gear oil". I think your mistaken.

 

[Soundguy]

remember.. utf is not a straight hyd oil.. it's actually formulated to work in trannies, hyds, power steering, and final drives.. wet clutches.. wet brakes.. etc.

if you want to get off the beaton path.. at work we have tons of cat equipment that use 30w or 40w engine oil in the trannies... ( torque converter )

soundguy