HyGard vs. low vis HyGard in 3520 ehydro

[bubbacuse77]

Guys I know it has been discussed before but with no resolve.

I am doing the first Hydraulic/ transmission fluid change on my 3520 ehydro. The Machine comes from the factory with Low Vis HyGard but the owners manual gives you the option of using either dependent on temp. I live in Wisconsin with both temp extremes. The tractor stays in a heated garage until it is used in the winter so I was leaning toward the regular HyGard but when I pulled the dip stick on the transmission fluid it has the words, "use low vis HyGard only", stamped on it. I'm wondering if that is because I have a ehydro and it needs low vis? One other thing, I have added an aux spool valve that causes more restriction on my open center system and I was contemplating if the regular HyGard would be better to resist breakdown at higher internal temps or maybe the low vis would be better to keep the heat down with less friction heating?

Thoughts?

 

[RickB]

Follow your Op manual's direction considering your ambient temps and transmission type. If you have added an aux hydraulic valve that is rated for less GPM than your tractor's maxmum pump flow, replace that valve with one that does.

 

[bubbacuse77]

thats the problem, the Operators manual gives you the choice. The Aux valve is sized correctly but anything added causes extra resistance.

 

[Gary Fowler]

thats the problem, the Operators manual gives you the choice. The Aux valve is sized correctly but anything added causes extra resistance.

I dont think adding a properly sized valve is going to increase resistance enough that it could be measured. If adding in 100 feet of hose etc you would increase the resistance, but a few inches of valving of the same diameter is not going to generate a measurable amount of additional heat.
If you plan to use your tractor in the winter, even though it is in a heated garage, unless you keep it at 75F, you might be better to use the low viscosity fluid for your hydrostatic drive unit which would save a bit of warm up time.

 

[fgross335_2210]

I switched my 2210 over to Amsoil Synthetic Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission Oil - product "ATH" as the first winter I owned it I noticed very sluggish hydraulic operation until everything warmed up. That was 9 years and 500 hours ago and my tractor transmission and hydraulics are operating fine. Works great in all conditions especially in the winter. (I changed again at 300 hours per maintenance schedule.) The ATH meets both John Deere J20C & J20D specs so it's truly an all-season hydraulic oil.

Here is the link if you want to learn more: AMSOIL - Synthetic Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission Oil (ATH)

 

[CJONE]

It is not the discharge side of the pump that is the problem, it is the suction. A heavy oil will not pull into the pump as easy as a thinner one will. You only have 0-30HG on the inlet side and if you exceed anywhere from 5-15HG depending on the pump it will starts cavitating. That is what results in slow or erratic operation and if bad enough it will destroy the pump in time. CJ

 

[CJONE]

I switched my 2210 over to Amsoil Synthetic Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission Oil - product "ATH" as the first winter I owned it I noticed very sluggish hydraulic operation until everything warmed up. That was 9 years and 500 hours ago and my tractor transmission and hydraulics are operating fine. Works great in all conditions especially in the winter. (I changed again at 300 hours per maintenance schedule.) The ATH meets both John Deere J20C & J20D specs so it's truly an all-season hydraulic oil.

Here is the link if you want to learn more: AMSOIL - Synthetic Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission Oil (ATH)

Synthetics work better in extreme temps because the are more stable in cold/hot conditions. They stay more fluid or thin in the cold and remain more thick or keep their viscosity in extreme heat. CJ

 

[mfreund]

Here in eastern Iowa, my dealer recommended only use low-vis for our temps.

 

[mjncad]

I use regular Hy-Gard and we get both temperature extremes; but my tractor is used in the warm to hot months mostly.

 

[etcallhome]

Asked the shop foreman about, using Adv Auto Premium Hyd fluid for commerical eqpt for my 1026r .. No problem would not void the warranty. Also asked him about using Rotella also would not void the warranty. He had worked for Advance before coming to JD.
The farmers in the area would come in to Advance and ask him about there products and if any could be used in there JD with wet disk brakes. He checked for them and found the Premium Hdy fluid was what they would need to use in there JD tractors.
Since there price is aobut 1/2 of the JD price I'm going to try it and see what happens.