motor oil for hydraulic fluid Dresser TD8

[Groo]

have a Dresser TD8. was told it was an 88, but noticed the repair manual that came with it is for an 81. the old guy that sold it to us went through several of them. dont know if he got confused, or more likely, never bothered to buy the new manual since these things don't change that much from year to year. haven't checked the vin yet to try to determine the actual year.

The manual says to use engine oil in the hydraulic system. if it is the newer year, would it also call for engine oil?
the previous owner used regular hydraulic fluid. seams like a waste of money to use modern engine oil with all of its specialized additives in a hydraulic system, but maybe it wouldn't leak out as quick as the thinner hydraulic fluid, and offset the price difference.
what do you think?

 

[capt jack]

My 1964 Caterpillar D6B uses 30wt. non detergent motor oil in the hyd. system.
Jack

 

[PILOON]

I knew an engineer that worked for shell oil.

He always used non detergent oil for hydraulics as he claimed thet hydraulic oil was about the lowest quality fluid made and that pumps and related components would last much longer with engine oil.

Claimed the 'lubricity' just was not there with hyd oil.

Fact or myth, I don't know.

 

[rustyrigs]

I build Ford New Hollands, some run hydraulic most run 10w-30 off the line, Hydraulic oil is a low grade oil with additives, (say for foaming reduction). New holland has changed there oil viscoscities this year, some of the equipment will run 15-40 and some will use 10-30 & some will use 134 hyd. Who knows I had to call Friday to ask what kind of brake oil to use on a TD80! You can pick up OM's online pretty cheap but if the previous owner has been using a certian grade might as well stick with it just keep it clean and it will last!!!

 

[JasG]

I had a 1987 TD-8E and it had hydraulic transmission fluid in it and I used the same oil the 6 years I owned it. I know people who have run 10w engine oil in different machines without and issue.

I think the manual for mine called for hydraulic oil. I did have both the service manual and the operator books. They went with the machine when I sold it.

 

[J_J]

All the Power-Tracs use 10w-40, and have been using it for about 30 years. Some of the big earth moving equipment use motor oil also. One of the reasons quoted was that motor oil can be found just about anywhere, whereas, hyd fluid is only at certain places. Case recommends using 10W-30 with a quart of Case additives in the hyd tank. Apparently motor oil has some additives that are good for combustion type engines, but OK for use as a hyd fluid, The name brand hyd fluid has additives specifically for hyd systems.