Low temperature hydraulic fluid?

[mndave]

I live in MN and we get some very cold winters (obviously). Last winter was the first cold season I had my tractor and I had a heck of a time getting the hydraulic fluid warm enough to even move the tractor on multiple occasions. I ended up installing several electric oil pan heaters where I could, which helped a little bit, but it still took 30+ min of that + construction heaters + high idling to unfreeze the hydraulic fluid enough to move. The fluid in it was only a couple moths old at that point so I don't believe that was an issue, I believe it's Shell Rotella HD.

My question is, are there any recommendations for low temperature hydraulic fluids? Or are there any additives that work? Any other suggestions?

 

[oldnslo]

Deere makes low viscosity hy-gard intended for cold weather use. I believe Kubota super UDT is a synthetic fluid also intended for cold weather use.

What tractor and what fluid do you have in it now?

 

[mndave]

It's a 2021 Branson 3620h with Shell Rotella HD hydraulic fluid.

 

[RjCorazza]

I don't have to deal severe cold, but use Kubota SUDT/2 synthetic. I have used (2) 250w heaters to maintain a slightly warmer hst case temp, but even 24/7 it's not much heat for 11 gallons of fluid.

My operators manual had some very specific warm up requirements for the hst. On the order of 20+ minutes of warm up time at below -4 F. I don't think any machine is going to be happy being worked at those temps without a reasonable warm up period.

 

[oldnslo]

I had problems with the factory oil in my 2400H so switched to Deere hy-gard mixed with lo viscosity hy-gard. We rarely get below 0 for any extended period of time in this area so I mixed approx 2 1/2 gallons hy-gard with 1 gallon lo- viscosity. Was concerned about both low winter and higher summer temps. I do far more work at higher summer temps than in the winter so can live with a little warm up time in the winter. Since I have no kids around I engage the PTO while tractor is idling warming up. This turns the gears in the oil adding a little splash heat. Also block air flow through the oil cooler.

 

[mndave]

My operators manual had some very specific warm up requirements for the hst. On the order of 20+ minutes of warm up time at below -4 F.

Good to know, thanks. If long warm up times are just the way it is, I guess I'll adjust my expectations and plan ahead more. I'm new to tractors and hydraulics so learning new things all the time.

I did find some full synthetic fluid for a somewhat reasonable price so I may give that a try this winter too.

 

[RjCorazza]

Good to know, thanks. If long warm up times are just the way it is, I guess I'll adjust my expectations and plan ahead more. I'm new to tractors and hydraulics so learning new things all the time.

I did find some full synthetic fluid for a somewhat reasonable price so I may give that a try this winter too.

Be careful with your choice. The product linked is not for transmissions. I believe Lucas does have a universal hydraulic and transmission type fluid.

 

[mndave]

Be careful with your choice. The product linked is not for transmissions. I believe Lucas does have a universal hydraulic and transmission type fluid.

That Lucas part# actually is a hydraulic/transmission fluid: Synthetic Universal Hydraulic Fluid

 

[ericm979]

Good to know, thanks. If long warm up times are just the way it is, I guess I'll adjust my expectations and plan ahead more. I'm new to tractors and hydraulics so learning new things all the time.

I did find some full synthetic fluid for a somewhat reasonable price so I may give that a try this winter too.

That looks like hydraulic fluid not tractor fluid. You want tractor fluid. It has additives that make it work well with wet clutches and brakes.

Chevron makes a synthetic version of THF1000 which has better low temp viscosity. than the regular stuff All the manufacturers publish viscosity numbers (though it can sometimes be hard to find) which you can use to find a reasonable match to the fluids that Branson recommends. In your case you'd want less viscosity at low temps but the same at working temps. I think the synthetic THF1000 will do that but it's been a while since I looked at it, so check first.

 

[Raul-02]

are there any recommendations for low temperature hydraulic fluids?

First thing I'd do is discuss it with my dealer.
Superior Industries has what they call a Cryogenic Hydraulic fluid they claim is good from negative 110 F all the way up to +300 F It costs like $1600 for five gallons. My point is not that you should use it, but that if there are hydro fluids that go that low there has to be something that will work for you. I'd bet your dealer has just the stuff.

 

[mndave]

That looks like hydraulic fluid not tractor fluid. You want tractor fluid. It has additives that make it work well with wet clutches and brakes.

Chevron makes a synthetic version of THF1000 which has better low temp viscosity. than the regular stuff

The Lucas website says it's for transmissions also, but the more I look at it the less convinced I am. I'll have to verify with them exactly what's in it before I purchase any.

That Chevron All Weather THF looks great but it seems like it's a bit difficult to come by.

While searching for that I also found some other interesting looking synthetic options:

Schaeffer's 315 Simplex Supreme

AMSOIL Synthetic Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission Oil

 

[5030]

Chevron makes a synthetic version of THF1000 which has better low temp viscosity. than the regular stuff All the manufacturers publish viscosity numbers (though it can sometimes be hard to find) which you can use to find a reasonable match to the fluids that Branson recommends. In your case you'd want less viscosity at low temps but the same at working temps. I think the synthetic THF1000 will do that but it's been a while since I looked at it, so check first.

What I use in both my Kubota's and it gets real cold here and both are kept in a barn with no electricity to plug them in. I use Chevron All Weather THC Synthetic fluid. It ain't cheap but it works ****.

When it's snow plow time, I go fire one of them up, kick up the idle a bit have a cup of coffee and go to work.

 

[mndave]

The Lucas website says it's for transmissions also, but the more I look at it the less convinced I am. I'll have to verify with them exactly what's in it before I purchase any.

For future reference, I contacted Lucas and they confirmed that this fluid meets the following specs (although they couldn't give me a complete list): John Deere J20C/J20D, Kubota UDT1, Cat TO-2.

 

[Robin Veerman]

Can’t go wrong with Amsoil Tractor Transmission/Hydraulic oil. Pour point is -58F and yet it’s an all weather lube, so handles summer temperatures too. No need to do a seasonal change. Order it and it arrives in a few days. I’m in Ontario Canada and when I start my tractor in an unheated barn and no block heater I let it idle 5 minutes and then start blowing snow gently until the temperature gage reads warm. Then I open it up to max pto rpms. Hydraulics work like it’s summer temperatures even in the cold of winter. Wouldn’t use anything else. UOA at double the hours showed good for continued use… https://www.amsoil.com/p/synthetic-tractor-hydraulic-transmission-oil-sae-5w-30-ath/?zo=331384

 

[ericm979]

For future reference, I contacted Lucas and they confirmed that this fluid meets the following specs (although they couldn't give me a complete list): John Deere J20C/J20D, Kubota UDT1, Cat TO-2.

That's probably good then. OTOH when I asked my Branson dealer they said not to use UDT.

 

[Vigo327]

It's a little sad that this seems to be a complicated issue when i'd bet money that 95% of everyone with a car with an automatic transmission in that climate just hops in and goes spinning their pump way past tractor engine rpm, lubricating wet clutches, lubricating differential ring and pinions, flowing through much smaller passages in shafts, clutch drums, valve bodies, solenoids, you name it.

And ATF of various flavors is in stock in every town in north america.

But apparently this is hard.

 

[Robin Veerman]

Do you know what -30C feels like? It’s pretty common during the winter here in Ontario where I live, occasionally we see -35/37 even -40C. Not fun for man or beast or equipment… So yes, I appreciate a good low temperature HST fluid, but even more so a fluid that is also “all season”. The Amsoil synthetic Tractor Transmission/Hydraulic fluid fits the bill for me. Not cheap, but when I can leave it in year round and works as good as it does…and like I said earlier, at double the change interval UOA showed it still good. I just changed the filters after getting the results and added a quart or so to top it off. Now the price becomes reasonable to me.

 

[LouNY]

I like the Amsoil product, also the Chevron synthetic, right now I'm useing Cen-Pe-Co multi purpose tractor fluid which is a para synthetic.
It flows much better in cold weather then the Texaco fluid even thought about.
My tractor with the power shuttle would not crank over and start with the heavy fluid in the transmission, she would turn maybe 2 revolutions and stall the starter out.

 

[5030]

Me, I stick with the Chevron All weather THC year around.

 

[Raul-02]

I asked my Branson dealer they said not to use UDT.

Probably way far overkill to invoke the Underwater Demolition Team.