300 hr hydraulic fluid change

[CentralNC]

I glanced down at the hr meter on my TC35A (12x12) and noticed that it now has 312 hrs. I sure have put this little tractor to good use in those 312 hrs!!

The manual says that I should replace the hydraulic fluid and filter around 300 hrs. The Service dept at the dealership says they have been recommending a fluid change between 300 - 400 hrs because the cost of fluid has risen so dramatically.

I am interested in knowing what your dealerships are saying about the hydraulic fluid change interval. Also, what amount of fluid should I expect to replace? The manual states 9.3 gal, but I would be surprised to get the full amount of fluid out.

The Multi G 134 fluid is sold in 5 gal, 2.5 gal and 1 qt bottles. The 2.5 gal containers would be easier to handle vs 5 gal. I am not certain what amount of fluid to buy. I am thinking

1 - 5 gal
1 - 2.5 gal (refill the 2.5 gal using the 5 gal)

The other option would be to use a hydraulic fluid from Tractor Supply. It is much less expensive, but is only sold in 5 gal containers.

Any suggestions on how much fluid I should expect to drain/refill? Thoughts on brand of fluid and package size?

 

[jinman]

While your tractor does not have a critical HST transmission, it does have a hydraulic pump and gears that rely on the transmission fluid for lube. If you do not buy the oil at New Holland, I would suggest that you do not buy the cheapest oil at TSC. I'd go with their multi-grade transmission fluid instead to the cheaper hydraulic fluid. Comparing NH Multi-G 134 and the TSC side-by-side, I think the NH fluid seems a tiny bit thinner (less viscosity). I have used the TSC fluid, but you can always be sure with the NH Multi-G 134.

I think you will be okay with the one 5 gallon container and one 2.5 gallon container. If you are still a little low, you can buy Multi-G 134 in gallons and quarts to top off. My changes almost always run around 8 gallons on my HST model tractor.

 

[CentralNC]

Jim -

Thanks for the advice. It is always better to hear someone work through the same issue that you have worked through in your own mind. I agree with you about using NH fluids. It took 4 yrs to get 312 hrs on the TC35A, so that works out to about $20 / yr for hydraulic. I just bought 10 gal of off-road diesel for $3.60/gal, so that puts the fluid cost in perspective.

I didn't think it would take the 9.3 gallons listed in the manual. I will try 1 - 5 gal and 1 - 2.5 gal and see where it gets me.

A friend has a Kubota 3240 with HST transmission. He had some problems when he did not use the correct hydraulic fluid, but I believe the gear driven tractors are not as picky. I still want want to put good fluid in the NH and take good care of it.

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Wolfy]

If the bucket only says hydraulic fluid, then its only suitable for pistons, such as woodsplitters, dump trucks hoists, and such. You need hydraulic/transmission fluid, designed for tractors. Usually sells for $40-$50 per bucket, compared to $30 or so for the straight fluid.

 

[Doc_Bob]

The manual says that I should replace the hydraulic fluid and filter around 300 hrs. The Service dept at the dealership says they have been recommending a fluid change between 300 - 400 hrs because the cost of fluid has risen so dramatically.


1 - 5 gal
1 - 2.5 gal (refill the 2.5 gal using the 5 gal)

The cost of a tranny or pump repair will make the small amount of money you save on a cheap fluid seem like a silly choice.

Doc

 

[Hematite]

The cost of a tranny or pump repair will make the small amount of money you save on a cheap fluid seem like a silly choice.

Doc

How true. If only everyone understood this.:thumbsup:

 

[grsthegreat]

you have to go by the specs stated for your tractor. All hydraulic oils have different iso ratings, and using the wrong one can (possibly??) damage your unit.

My pto powered pump requires iso22 hydraulic oil, but this same oil could wreck havoc on your tractor.

 

[Jerry/MT]

I glanced down at the hr meter on my TC35A (12x12) and noticed that it now has 312 hrs. I sure have put this little tractor to good use in those 312 hrs!!

The manual says that I should replace the hydraulic fluid and filter around 300 hrs. The Service dept at the dealership says they have been recommending a fluid change between 300 - 400 hrs because the cost of fluid has risen so dramatically.

I am interested in knowing what your dealerships are saying about the hydraulic fluid change interval. Also, what amount of fluid should I expect to replace? The manual states 9.3 gal, but I would be surprised to get the full amount of fluid out.

The Multi G 134 fluid is sold in 5 gal, 2.5 gal and 1 qt bottles. The 2.5 gal containers would be easier to handle vs 5 gal. I am not certain what amount of fluid to buy. I am thinking

1 - 5 gal
1 - 2.5 gal (refill the 2.5 gal using the 5 gal)

The other option would be to use a hydraulic fluid from Tractor Supply. It is much less expensive, but is only sold in 5 gal containers.

Any suggestions on how much fluid I should expect to drain/refill? Thoughts on brand of fluid and package size?

Your tractor is not designed to use hydraulic fluid in the rear axle and lift system. It designed to use a transhydraulic fluid that meets the Ford M2C134G Spec(There is a NH spec number that is the equivalent of M2c134G) . The brand you use really doesn't make any difference as long as it meets that spec.

I bought a cheap barrel pump at HF and use that to transfer the fluid from a 5 gallon pail to the fill port on my tractors.

 

[Jerry/MT]

I glanced down at the hr meter on my TC35A (12x12) and noticed that it now has 312 hrs. I sure have put this little tractor to good use in those 312 hrs!!

The manual says that I should replace the hydraulic fluid and filter around 300 hrs. The Service dept at the dealership says they have been recommending a fluid change between 300 - 400 hrs because the cost of fluid has risen so dramatically.

I am interested in knowing what your dealerships are saying about the hydraulic fluid change interval. Also, what amount of fluid should I expect to replace? The manual states 9.3 gal, but I would be surprised to get the full amount of fluid out.

The Multi G 134 fluid is sold in 5 gal, 2.5 gal and 1 qt bottles. The 2.5 gal containers would be easier to handle vs 5 gal. I am not certain what amount of fluid to buy. I am thinking

1 - 5 gal
1 - 2.5 gal (refill the 2.5 gal using the 5 gal)

The other option would be to use a hydraulic fluid from Tractor Supply. It is much less expensive, but is only sold in 5 gal containers.

Any suggestions on how much fluid I should expect to drain/refill? Thoughts on brand of fluid and package size?

Your tractor is not designed to use hydraulic fluid in the rear axle and lift system. It designed to use a transhydraulic fluid that meets the Ford M2C134G Spec(There is a NH spec number that is the equivalent of M2c134G) . The brand you use really doesn't make any difference as long as it meets that spec.
If you let it drain long enough, you'll get a little more than 9 gallons outprovided the 3 pt lift is full down. Buy 10 gallons and you'll have some left over for topping off.
I bought a cheap barrel pump at HF and use that to transfer the fluid from a 5 gallon pail to the fill port on my tractors.

 

[nightrider2108]

i recently changed the hyd oil in my ford 4610su it has seperate sumps for transmission and rear axle it calls for 134d specs i found oil at tractor supply that stated recommended for 134d replacement for 50 bucks for 5 gal also found oil at napa that stated meets or exceeds 134d specs i dont know if theres any difference but i went with th napa brand nh wanted 76 bucks for 5 gal it took over 12 gals just for the rear the transmission would have been another 3 give or take just make sure it reads meets or exceeds 134 specs