134 or 200A hydraulic oil

TCBoomer · May 9, 2004

Hello All

Now that the "very strange problem" with the skidsteer is solved, thanks to TBN, I'm ready to share my experiences and ask a few questions about my tractor. It's a TC21D with the 7106 fel and the 914A mm finish mower.

I live in CT and use this tractor mostly for mowing 2.5 acres and plowing a 600' driveway. I've also used it for some very extensive landscape work during the 4 1/2 yrs that I've owned it. It truly is an awsome tractor and still exceeds my expectations like it did when it was new. Of course now I wish I bought the TC30D instead...<G>

Anyway, what I would like to know is how often you change the hydraulic oil and what grade you use. The manual recomends changing every 300 hrs, yet my parts guy is telling me to save my money and change it every 1000 hrs or so. I recently performed the 1200 hr service and did all the filters, but no hydraulic fluid. But at 300, 600, and 900 hrs...I did change ALL fluids. So what's the preference for you folks?

Also is there any real benefit with using 200A instead of 134 hydraulic oil? The reason I switched was during the first winter using this machine, the hydraulics were somewhat noisey. My dealer advised me to try the 200A oil and it did make a diference. So since then, that's all I've used. Any comments about this?

Thanks... and glad to be part of this forum
Bob

MikePA · May 9, 2004

Of all the recurring topics on TBN, whether or not to follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule ranks close to the top. The net of all the discussions are, after you eliminate all the 'black helicopter' arguments. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

1.The manufacturers develop a maintenance schedule for a reason.
2. It's your tractor, so you can do what you want. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

BTW, most people who switch to F200 or a hydraulic fluid do it for the same reason you did. I switched to Amsoil.

jinman · May 9, 2004

Bob, there are many after-market fluids that meet all tractor manufacturers' specs. Most of them are less costly than the NH branded fluids. I plan to change to one of the premium brands at my next change, but it won't be a synthetic or partial synthetic because I live in the sunbelt and I don't really need the lower viscosity synthetic properties.

When it comes to synthetics in motor oils, those have always had a longer service period than normal petro-fluids. I'd expect your 200A to be able to last out to 450 hours. I don't know if I'd double it, but if your dealer's "parts guy" has seen some lab tests showing the 200A holding up longer, you will probably be okay with just changing filters at the normal interval and both oil and filter at twice the normal interval.

For normal 134, I'd still recommend changes at 300 to 400 hours. If cost is a factor, then I'd go to a premium aftermarket brand. Honestly, the biggest cost of fluids is that "stuff" we use for fuel. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Oils and lube fluids can't compare to what we spend on diesel. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

TCBoomer · May 12, 2004

I would have posted sooner, but my ISP has been down for the last few days.

Thanks for your input. I turn wrenches for a living(automotive) and know the value of proper maintenance. Just wanted to hear what others here are doing.

>>>2. It's your tractor, so you can do what you want.<<<

...and believe me, I DO /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

TCBoomer · May 13, 2004

jinman
When you say aftermarket synthetics are less costly than NH's, any idea as to roughly by how much? While price is somewhat a factor, my desire to use OEM is more a personal choice. Always have and always will use OEM, if possible. However, oil is oil, and I am interested in using a substitute if I stick by the 300hr fluid change.

Good point about the lab tests...I'll have to ask my parts guy about it. It just seems odd that every time I purchased the 5 gal pail of synthetic, he would tell me I'm wasting my $$$.

I think I'll look into the "other" brands of oil, since I would rather stick to the 300hr recommended service.

Any comment about the pwr steering filter?? I changed it twice...@ 600hrs and @1200hrs as recommended. Again he tells me no need to change it that often. I'll continue doing so, since filters are cheap insurance.

Thanks...

BTW...I hear you on fuel $$$
Just paid 1.71 a gal for 50 gallons /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

jinman · May 13, 2004

I'm not sure of the savings on synthetic, but generally I have found aftermarket oils to be about 15% - 20% cheaper than the NH oils. MikePA changed to Amsoil last year and he could probably give you more accurate details of the cost of 200A compared to the Amsoil. I was specifically looking at 134 being around $34 for a 5-gal pail whereas a 5-gal pail of Citgo Mystik JT-5 is about $28 at my local Tractor Supply store.

I'm right at 600 hours on my tractor and that power steering filter and oil is going to be changed at my next service. Was it pretty easy to do?

Generally, I think manufacturers make recommendations for "worst-case" situations. If your hydraulic oil is clear and clean, then you will probably not have any problems extending the service period. For me, when the service period arrives, it's like a little "flag" going up that says "service soon" and I try to do it at my earliest convenience. I was actually more like 350 hours on my first hydraulic oil change. Of course, I only had about 200 hours on my new fluid when I busted a filter and lost 7 gallons of oil. I replaced that with new oil, so my service period is all messed up. I'll have to pay close attention to my hours so I don't forget to change the fluid when I get up around 750 - 800 hr. ...tractor math? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

AndyMA · May 13, 2004

Jim

I find it interesting that New Holland doesn't recommend the first hydraulic fluic change in the TN series until 1200 hours../forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Filters at 50 and then every 300, but no fluid until 1200.

Andy

jinman · May 13, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Filters at 50 and then every 300, but no fluid until 1200.
)</font>

Probably relates to the quantity of fluid and also that your application doesn't include a hydrostatic transmission. Of course, all TCs don't have hydro trannys, so a case could be made. I'm not sure what the non-hydro models have for recommendation, but if theirs is the same as mine, it might be NH "painting all TCs with a broad brush." /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

mahlers · May 13, 2004

Hey Andy - I'm going to check my manual tonight and see what it says about the hydraulic fluid. I seem to remember reading that a full fluid change was supposed to be done every 300 hours or every year - whichever comes first. I could be wrong in my recollection, though - so I'll read it and see.

I've found some really weird mis-prints in the manual - so it wouldn't completely surprise me if you've found another one...

AndyMA · May 13, 2004

I have 2 manuals, one for the TN S& D models and one for the plain ones. They both say the same thing and in several places. On the check lists, on the service interval charts and in the text. No hydraulic oil change until 1200 hours. My dealer concurs. He is another one who thinks that many of the manufacturer recommended service intervals are a hold on to years ago when lubricants eren't as good and casting tended to have metal shavings in them. He has had oils tested and found little if any change.

Andy