AW 32 or 303 Hydraulic Fluid

greg_g · Mar 20, 2005

( I was under the impression that UTF was more of a 20w )

Me too Chris. I think 15W30 qualifies as "20-ish". I got the 15W30 SAE equivalent right off the spec sheet of a product some oil company was selling as JD303.

Whether or not John's JM224 hydraulic pump is compatible with 303 is not the issue. Those small Jinmas have a hydraulic suction filter that is vulnerable to collapse trying to pass thick oil on a cold winter morning. Once the engine starts turning, so does the pump. If what's in the hydraulic reservior is too thick, something's gotta give - and it's often that cheap suction filter.

The Chinese apparently fill everything but the radiator and the battery with (what looks like used) 30W, ostensibly as a preservative during storage and salt water transit (or maybe cuz it's just cheap). Responsible sellers/dealers have learned to drain all the Asian fluids out and use quality local replacements. Mine didn't, and both my JM254s suffered collapsed suction filters as a result.

Cold or hot, thick or thin, the pump is going to try and pull hydraulic fluid through that 100x100x0.0045 brass mesh. That's why I'd go with AW32 in New York, rather than a 303 spec'd oil.

//greg//

johnk · Mar 20, 2005

Another 5 gallons of gear oil to have on hand. I was going to put 85W in tranny and could use the same in the differentials..Thats what the other 5 gallon pail is for. This should be fine wouldn't you think??

greg_g · Mar 20, 2005

( Another 5 gallons of gear oil to have on hand. I was going to put 85W in tranny and could use the same in the differentials..Thats what the other 5 gallon pail is for. This should be fine wouldn't you think?? )
Gear oil, yes. Tranny and rear diff share the same lubricant on your 224. But straight 85W John? I'd be inclined to stick with non-foaming multi-vis like 80W90 myself

//greg//

johnk · Mar 20, 2005

How many and where are the drain plugs for tranny, rear diff? If I remember I think there were 4 for the tranny and differential. Is there a site with illustrations of the 4 if thats how many there were?? Also is it a good idea to shut the tractor off with the loader fully raised so when draining the Hydraulic fluid I can lower and curl the bucket with the tractor off to get a better purge of fluid out Thanks.......

greg_g · Mar 20, 2005

1. Under diff housing, (left rear I think)
2. Under tranny housing (memory's a little fuzzy here)
3. On left side of transfer case
4. Under creeper housing (partially hidden by front drive shaft)

//greg//

Soundguy · Mar 20, 2005

( Me too Chris. I think 15W30 qualifies as "20-ish". I got the 15W30 SAE equivalent right off the spec sheet of a product some oil company was selling as JD303.

Whether or not John's JM224 hydraulic pump is compatible with 303 is not the issue. Those small Jinmas have a hydraulic suction filter that is vulnerable to collapse trying to pass thick oil on a cold winter morning. Once the engine starts turning, so does the pump. If what's in the )

I hear what you are saying.. but there has to be a better way around that problem. 303/utf is good stuff. Addative package should be better than just plain hydro fluid. The filter issue is funny. Pulling thru a mutli stage paper filter is gonna be work too. And I've seen many JD tractors that use a plastic screen prefilter on the suction side of the pump. It's a tube shaped thing about the size of a toilet paper roll tube. Mesh is super fine.. looks like the bronze mesh in a fuel strainer.. perhaps it is the way it is manufactured.. perhaps it needs more surface area. I've only ever seen a jd prefilter colapse if it was plugged up.

Since so many other good modifications have come about for the jinma.. like upgraded key switch.. etc. Perhaps a new idea for a prefilter will come about?

Soundguy

Boltonpower · Mar 21, 2005

Folks

AW32 and 303 are good options where temperature
ranges are fairly narrow. However, here in New England
we find that sometimes they can be a bit problematic. When
VERY cold the system can take a while to come on line when
warming up. Also, when working really hard the fluids can
heat to the point of the lift valve binding and the steering
pulsing since the tractors do not have standard oil coolers.
We've found that MOBIL 424 works very very well in a wide
temperature and load range. It's a bit expensive, about $50
for a 5 gallon pail but its the best all temperature
hydraulic fliud we've found. We use it exclusively on all our
new or serviced Chinese tractors. It is rated for gear type
transmissions too but we haven't tested it for that application
and still use 80W90 hypoid for the axle and transaxle. It does
require some warmup when very cold but it works well for
controlling gear whine when hot and in general controlling
gear and slider wear.

Kind Regards
Graham

johnk · Mar 21, 2005

Thanks for the info. Never heard of the Mobil 424. I'll see if they sell it around here and check I'll out the price...

John

greg_g · Mar 21, 2005

( We've found that MOBIL 424 works very very well ,,, It is rated for gear type transmissions too but we haven't tested it )
Before you spend a lot of time testing Graham, you might want to take a second look at the 424 specs. On their WEB PAGE it clearly says "May be used in applications requiring API GL-4 or SAE 80W grade lubricants in all gear applications except hypoid gear designs".

Can't speak for all Chinese tractors, but I can state that the Jinma 200 series and my KM454 have hypoid gearsets in both front and rear differentials.

//greg//

Boltonpower · Mar 21, 2005

greg,,

Haven't looked into it for the gear oil since we're happy
with the 80W90. You've saved me the base reasearch
never mind the testing /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Thanks..

Graham