GL-4 gear oil question

[Wayne in Louisiana]

I have a Mihindra 3505DI which is an older design gear tractor with hydraulics separate from the transmission. The users manual says to use GL-4 EP 90wt for the transmission and to avoid "non copper safe" fluids.

The closest thing I have found to this spec is a "multi-spec" GL-4, GL-5. I am not sure if this would be appropriate for use in a GL-4 recommended transmission.

Can anyone recommend a copper safe 90 wt EP Dino fluid for this application?

Thanks in advance to this great site.

 

[xlr82v2]

I'd recommend going to your local fuel/lubricants supplier... he will have what you need, more selection than what's available at the box stores.

That's what I'm going to have to do when the time comes for my fluid change... the box stores don't carry GL-4 gear oil...

 

[DieselPower]

The "multi-spec" oil that is rated GL-4 and GL-5 will be fine. In the past some gear oils used additives that had a corrosive effect on yellow metals (brass, bronze, copper). Modern additive technology has led to the use of additives that are safe for yellow metals. The majority of gear oils on the market today are multi-spec and are safe for equipment calling for either GL-4 or GL-5. I say majority because there are still some GL-4 only and GL-5 only spec oils out there.

 

[Soundguy]

Castrol and penzoil both sell a gl-4 'gearplus' lube that is yellowmetal safe.

penzoil even has the MSDS / pdf available for download online.

Soundguy

 

[wdevries]

A GL-5 gear lube is not ok to use were a GL-4 gear lube is specified. GL-5 gear lube has a sulphur additive (note the smell) which will attack yellow metals when the temperature reaches 210 degrees F.
Amsoil has a GL-4 gear lube, product code MTG

 

[DieselPower]

A large portion of gear lubricants these day's are multi-spec and are suitable for anything calling for a GL-4 /GL-5 oil. Additive technology has come a long way and the newer additive packages used for the multi-spec oil are not harmful to yellow metals.

 

[joerocker]

The one I use says GL-3, 4, and 5. I think it's the O'Reilly branded stuff.

 

[wdevries]

Read interesting study on gear lubes.

http://www.amsoil.com/lit/g2457.pdf

 

[LOOPHOLE]

Conoco-Phillips has a product / All Purpose Philgear 220 that is 90wt and copper compatible.

 

[RichNJKubota]

In the transmissions of the older cars I work on they specify GL-4. If I use GL-5 or any Multi-spec oils then the synchros don't work properly.
You can get GL-4. Just call around.