Oil & Fuel CH20HST hydro fluid options?

[chelydra]

Have read previous threads on this; now hoping for an update based on what's readily available. Two questions:

1. There are not a lot of tractor dealers left around here. Local AutoZone and several other car shops don't stock anything like UTF, likewise local Costco. A Napa is within driving distance; they stock Valvoline Unitrac for $94/5 gal. (I was hoping to spend a lot less.) There's also a Walmart. Another thread here mentioned their stuff as OK, but is there any easy way to know what it really is?

Most convenient might be a nearby Robinson's Ace Hardware. They can order Lubrigard (5 Gallon Trctr-hyd-trans Oil by Warren Oil Co Inc - 2652 - More Motor oils at doitbest.com) for $30/5 gal. Is that a good quality for the HST?

2. Clock says it's not time for a fluids change, so this is just for top-ups. Don't recall what's in there now - might be Mobil 424 or Hydraul 560. Is it safe to mix brands? It's not the money so much as the mess; also, it's been down to 5 F around here lately.

Thanks as always for the wisdom and experience of this group.

 

[tommaple]

If you are in a more suburban than rural area look for petroleum distributors in the yellow pages. Or go on-line to Mobil Oil to locate a distributor.

I was able to get five gallon pails of Mobil 424 for $55.40 a pail at an oil distributor in downtown Cleveland, not exactly a rural area!

 

[bp fick]

Warren packages for ALOT of folks, including WalMart, at last report.

There is another thread on here, right now, about an owner who had a dealer, who lost his Kioti franchise, put in Who-Knows-What in his Kioti and he isn't very happy with the results. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...052-dk-40-hydrostatic-transmission-hydro.html

Honestly? $95 a 5 gallon sounds bad for the Valvoline, but isn't really. Valvoline (Ashland Oil) is Kubota's contractor for fluid here in the US, so that is saying something. Do shop around.

Others report great results from CNH's and Deere's good stuff and it is priced similarly. I would highly encourage to love on your tractor and put in a quality UTF. It is going to be in there for a very long time and you'll want your machine performing in tip top shape. You don't do this everyday or even every year. FWIW

 

[JoelD]

I use whatvever I can find at the best price when it comes to hydro fluid the robinsons should be fine as long as it meets the standards


I get my fluid at autozone and it is right around the 35 per Bucket

 

[chelydra]

Thanks for these comments. I'll be shopping today, in advance of the first snow here predicted for Sunday.

What about compatibility? Is it safe to add any suitable fluid to any other? I'll probably only be adding a quart or two before the next full change.

-Chelydra

 

[mj007]

I use whatvever I can find at the best price when it comes to hydro fluid the robinsons should be fine as long as it meets the standards


I get my fluid at autozone and it is right around the 35 per Bucket

Ditto -

 

[joe48]

I use whatvever I can find at the best price when it comes to hydro fluid the robinsons should be fine as long as it meets the standards


I get my fluid at autozone and it is right around the 35 per Bucket

**Same for me last 2 hyd fluid changes in my CK20 was the PREMIUM HYDRAULIC from Tractors Supply. I think the last pail was $40-45. It meets or exceeds all major manufactureres specs including Cat, JD, CNH, Kubota, Agco, etc.
I have always since new with factory oil had the hydraulics be slow the first 5 -10 minutes in cold weather, this is normal.
No problems.