hydraulic fluid

[crazy terramite]

does anyone just run 15w-40 in the hydraulic system in all seasons? changing it for winter would be a pain!! not a good set up. it takes alot of oil! i would be keeping my tractor in a garage in the winter with garage temps at around 55 degrees. if i push snow the temps outside could be as low as around 20 degrees. like i said -- i would be starting it at 55 degrees and go outside into the cold mid west winter temps.

 

[seville009]

I don’t use motor oil in my hydraulic system; is that what you’re referring to when you say 15w40?

Otherwise, I use the same hydraulic fluid year ‘round - works at -30F and 100F. Just have to let it warm up in the colder temps

 

[Roadworthy]

I use 15W-40 in my diesel engine. I've not heard of a hydraulic fluid in that weight. You may want to check your manual for recommendations.

 

[crazy terramite]

its not the engine im talking about. the t9 takes 15w-40 oil for the hydraulic system- not hydraulic fluid. if you use hydraulic fluid you are asking for major problems as i understand it!! i have a gallon of 15w-40 sitting in my garage.

 

[CalG]

A hole gallon?

That's Not much.

 

[seville009]

its not the engine im talking about. the t9 takes 15w-40 oil for the hydraulic system- not hydraulic fluid. if you use hydraulic fluid you are asking for major problems as i understand it!! i have a gallon of 15w-40 sitting in my garage.

Ok - you’ve got my curiosity piqued - I’m just a homeowner, but in all my equipment, there’s a big difference between the engine oil and hydraulic oil. The engine oil is much thinner than the hydraulic oil, so I wouldn’t think engine oil in the hydraulic system would work. I’m not questioning you, it’s just that I’ve never heard of that. Basically, why sell hydraulic fluid for tractors if engine oil can do it?

Just don’t want you putting engine oil in your hydraulic system if it’s going to cause problems for you.

 

[crazy terramite]

im just telling roadworthy that 15w-40 is a weight that can be bought. i bought it for topping off hydro system with all cyilinders compressed of course. im talking about a T9 as far as the hydraulic fluid it takes. the T9 takes 15w-40 for hydralic system!!! the sticker on the fill door says ---- CAUTION!! regular hydraulic fluid in this system will cause premature transmission failure. above 32F use 15w-40 API SG CD or equilvalent. below 32f use 10w API SG CD oil. THE HYDSRAULIC SYSTEM TAKES ENGINE OIL NOT HYDRAULIC FLUID! my question is i dont want to change to 10w oil for winter?????????????????????

 

[crazy terramite]

the 2015 terramite T9 takes 15w-40 engine oil for its hydraulics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[crazy terramite]

ITS IN MY OWNER BOOK!!

 

[Roadworthy]

Okay, the Terramite takes engine oil in the hydraulic system. 15W-40 is the recommended weight above freezing. That means the oil itself is a base of 15 viscosity. That's as thin as it gets. As it heats the additives bring it to the equivalent of 40. I don't know how cold your winters get but if you run the engine and hydraulic pump a bit to warm the oil before using the machine you should be okay. Try starting the unit and letting it run while you have a cup of coffee inside the house. If you try running the unit while the oil is cold it will probably be sluggish or erratic. If it performs too poorly you can always drain and refill with ten weight later.

 

[DK35vince]

I don稚 use motor oil in my hydraulic system; is that what youæ±*e referring to when you say 15w-40

Depends, some units do.
We have 5 skid steers at work, all call for motor oil in the hydraulic system.
I've owned 2 zero turn mowers, both called for motor oil in the hydraulic system.

 

[jgedmond]

Depends, some units do.
We have 5 skid steers at work, all call for motor oil in the hydraulic system.
I've owned 2 zero turn mowers, both called for motor oil in the hydraulic system.

My Toro MX5050 ZTM also uses motor oil (20W50) in the hydraulic system that drives the rear wheels.

 

[seville009]

That’s interesting re: motor oil in the hydraulics. Learn something new every day!

 

[DoubleO]

My 1985 T5 calls for hydraulic oil but my 2001 T9 calls for 15w40.

 

[crazy terramite]

now that it is clear that my 2015 T9 takes 15w-40 in the hydraulic system. thanks roadworthy -- that is what i was thinking--- my T9 will be in a simi heated garage and i would start it and pull it out and let it warm up before plowing snow. winters in the mid west can get cold!!

 

[CarlL]

Just to chime in a little late.

I have owned a T9 for the better part of 10 years. It sits outside in Missouri 365 days a year. When I got it, I replaced the oil in both the engine and the hydraulic system. The oil I use in the hydraulics is an inexpensive Walmart 15W40. With some wear on the seals causing a little leakage, I just top it up from time to time with the same stuff. Never changed it again. I use it to push snow off the drive and have never had an issue with the hydraulics not working, even below zero. Of course, getting that little Kubota started when it is below freezing requires my 300amp charger and really getting the glow plugs warmed up, but once it is going, a 5 minute warmup and everything is perfect.

Unless you are using the T9 over the winter in constant below freezing temperatures, I would not go through the trouble and expense of changing the oil in the hydraulic system. When Terramite was really in business, this is what I was told by their tech.

 

[crazy terramite]

thank you carl. thats the answer i was looking for!

 

[crazy terramite]

i would think once you let it warm up everything would be fine in cold weather.

 

[wvmfgsolutions]

if you put anything other than motor oil in your terramite , any of them , you will kill it . They do not run on hydraulic fluid !!!!!! the entire machine runs on motor oil 15W30 or 15W40 . Hydraulic fluid breaks down at high temps and motor oil does not and the machine runs at a little higher temp than others so do NOT put hydraulic fluid in them it will kill them there are service manuals for T5 , T7 and T9 at About | Terramite Replacement Parts | United States very handy they sell parts right there too and they are not affiliated with terramite or terraquip

 

[Terrasteve]

I use a magnetic engine block heater on the hydro oil tank. And yes terramites use 15-40 motor oil for the hydro fluid. I live in Iowa we also have very cold winters. I just stick the block heater to the oil tank the night before I plan to use the machine in very cold weather and it always starts very well. If you are keeping it in a garage heated to 55 degrees you are good to go just let it warm up a little before any hard use. Hope this helps.