Replacing Chinese Fluids

Dave_Lilly · Aug 19, 2005

I have a new KAMA 354 with a FEL. I have read that the Chinese fluids are junk and should be replaced. Where is the best place to buy hydraulic and gear lubes?
I also would like to modify the exhaust to use a flapper type cover, but I can't seem to find either the fluids or the flapper anywhere on the Internet.
Thanks

billbill1 · Aug 20, 2005

Dave, I bought the flapper valve at NAPA and all of the fluids at TSC. Get the non-foaming fluids. I think fluids can be purchased at Wally World as well.

jaroban · Aug 20, 2005

I finished changing all the fluids today(Jinma tractor ). I got them at TSC Traveller brand hydraulic Oil,motor Oil, and gear oil. All are good quality non foaming and good for yellow metal. I recommend flushing with diesel . Robby

minidozer · Aug 21, 2005

What was the GL rating of your gear oil? I just did a kerosene flush and used GL-5 gear oil. The container said nothing about yellow metal but now I find that extra pressure additive can cause a problem with yellow metal. (http://home.earthlink.net/~cmcguffey/amsoil/lubebsk7.htm )What GL rating should I have used? Plan to put on another 100 hours on tractor and then do another flush. Would this be a problem?

ToolManRick · Aug 22, 2005

Should be a GL-1 rated mineral oil. I bought mine at NAPA. My manual actually states 30W non-detergent engine oil in both the transmission and front axle, but I found that it made for difficult shifting and the 90W GL-1 really smoothed things out and the tranny is much quieter.

The additives, from what I've researched, are only a real problem with "yellow" metals when there is moisture present in the system. The chlorine reacts with the water and causes the non-ferrous metals to oxidize. Before I did the researching I ran GL-5 90W for about 50 hrs and didn't notice any discoloration, but why chance it. You might want to consider an early changeout.

There's been a lot of discussion on the Chinese transmissions and creeper boxes. I would remove the creeper box top, if your is so eqipped, and make certain it's getting lubricant in there. The only way it is fed is seepage through the gaps in the ball bearings. Flushing the unit should eliminate any sludge that would prevent the flow from getting into the box.

greg_g · Aug 22, 2005

( )What GL rating should I have used? )

The GL-1 rating you select depends upon personal preference and availability. See this CHART, and you'll get an idea of what I mean.

Regarding "safe for yellow metals", the GL5 you used - probably wasn't. Rule of thumb; if it's not marked as "safe" on the container, don't buy it for the current Chinese tractor design.

That said, there probably are plenty of other tractors and implements that no longer use "yellow metals" in critical lube areas. For them, this rule of thumb doesn't apply. The hard part is determining which tractors actually fall into that group.

//greg//

Soundguy · Aug 22, 2005

I'd like to post a few options.. as this is an issue that we old ford owners also face... lots of yellow metal ( in belly hydro pump ) in the common oil sump.

Lots of guys are using the NAPA 65-205 90w GL-1 oil.. and lots more are using the TSC 'traveler' "Ford 1939-1952" tranny fluid.. which as best we can tell is a 90w GL-3 oil... some mild ep properties. A few are also using a penzoil/castrol gearplus sae80w90GL-4 product that is marketed as 'safe' for yellow metals.. it was targeted at Old car collectors. I have downloaded the spec page / PDF file from penzoil.
GearPlus Gl-4

First paragraph states that it has EP qualities and is safe on bronze components.. etc.

Hope this helps.

Soundguy

minidozer · Aug 22, 2005

Here is some more info I have found:
http://www.noria.com/message_boards/message_details_by_list.asp?foldername=Is+GL-5+gear+lube+harmful+to+transmission%3F&messagenumber=1

Apparently not all EP additives are harmful to yellow metal. I used Sta-Lube 85w-140 SL 2433 Called their tech services for an answer but I suspect that it is since it contains an Alkyl Sulfide and Phosphoric Acid Ester.

minidozer · Aug 22, 2005

Sta-Lube (CRC) says their GL-5 gear oil has not been tested on yellow metal and they cannot recommend its use in my application.
I have read that gear oil that has an MT-1 rating has been tested on yellow metal. Did a search for MT-1 gear oil and found the following which says GL-5/MT-1 gear oil can be used in GL-1 applications.
http://tidewaterfleetsupply.com/tips3.shtml

Does anyone think a GL-5/MT-1 gear oil is not ok for use with yellow metal?

JINMA224XR · Aug 23, 2005

Does anyone think a GL-5/MT-1 gear oil is not ok for use with yellow metal? 

Hey MiniDozer,

I used the Tractor Oils/Super Tech @ WalMarts. I used the 85w140 in my transmission and front drive. It says that it is ok to use with bronze and copper. The container also says that it is anti foaming.

Not all WalMarts carry the Tractor Oils though.

Get your tractors running &
Have a nice day,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif