Synthetic Lubricants in Power Tracs

duane · Mar 20, 2003

Bob,

From what I have read, the size of the reservoir is related to the amount of return flow back to the reservoir. The charge pump, PTO and tilt/lift pumps return flow back to the reservoir which is quite a bit of oil. If I figured it right, a 10 gallon reservoir size is about right (PT400 series). It promotes good deaeration of the oil, cooling, and expansion/contraction. I would like to see a vent cap that has a filter though.

Duane

Bob999 · Mar 20, 2003

Duane,
I have no doubt that there are advantages to a larger hydraulic oil reservoir. However, there are also disadvantages--cost of hydraulic fluid and space to store the fluid are twos.

I mentioned the JD skid steer in my previous post. It is 45 HP, has a 16 gal/min power take off and hydraulic main drive. The reservoir is 9 gallons and it uses motor oil for the hydraulic fluid.

The question I posed in my original post probably should have been "would a PT operate satisfactorly, and have satisfactory durability, with a smaller hydraulic reservoir?"

MossRoad · Mar 20, 2003

A larger reservoir is probably more forgiving if you spring a leak. With less fluid, there will be less time to shut down before damage occurs. Also, as mentioned earlier, there will probably be less dirt per volume of fluid, which should contribute to longer component life.

Charlie_Iliff · Mar 20, 2003

you and I both reported PT recommending 10w30 Mobil 1 in the hydraulic system. 

I think that recommendation is traceable to conversations a couple of people had with Chris Asbury when he was in sales.I talked to Terry this morning, and he said that he was referring to motor oil, but he would check on hydraulic fluid and get back to me. I spent some time looking at Mobil 1's website, and couldn't find a hydraulic oil listed, but I'll keep looking for specs on the one bmkar mentioned. Amsoil's sure looks good on their website:

Tractor Hydraulic Fluid

Charlie_Iliff · Mar 20, 2003

I'm trying to figure a cheap way to "polish" the oil "offline",i.e.,just recycle the oil through a 2u(micron abs.) from the reservoir while the unit sits in the garage napping.

Let's not be pinching pennies, now when it comes to clean hydraulic fluid. What you really need is three systems, about 120,20 and 40 gallons respectively would do, in your shed, constantly polishing reserves of fuel, synthetic engine oil and synthetic hydraulic fluid. Then each night, your machine gets a complete transfusion of each --
Still some bugs to work out in the design, like the air lock into the dust-free, sterile tractor park area, but nothings too good for ... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Charlie_Iliff · Mar 20, 2003

Mobil synthetic

LINK

kcook · Mar 20, 2003

Just FYI you can become a Amsoil perferred customer and save some money. I have done that to save me money on oil changes in my pickup!

KC

Anonymous Poster · Mar 20, 2003

( Still some bugs to work out in the design, like the air lock into the dust-free, sterile tractor park area, but nothings too good for ... )

I knew someone would understand this level of passion I feel... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gifThe beauty of these discussions is that I never have the time to implement these "dreams" but I do find the time to "share" them. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

On the practical side of this discussion, if I can take Charlies que...The PT designers I feel have gone to great effort to KISS (keep it simple st...) this tool and have a very good(simple and basic) design and one that the "self reliant" among us can appreciate...When I had the Robin apart for the coil change, I priced and deliberated for 1 min. the option of upgrading to the 30 amp charging components...Gee!, $220 for the priviledge of adding a couple additional lamps...I don't think so...This machine and I can't do more than 3 or 4 lamps worth of work.
And so it goes with the lube and hydraulics...My rules for operation will be simple, if it's too hot(or cold) for me, it isn't doing my tractor any good either. Commercial guys don't have this luxury,I know, so then, change to synthetics or do more frequent petro changes. At this point in my life, if I follow the "book", this tractor will outlast me. (ooh, that was sobering /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif )

Anonymous Poster · Mar 20, 2003

I used your link Charlie to price that SHC(526)...
$119.10/5 gal pail at a local dist....so...$240 for the best? that our 400 series machines can use...
#526 is at the "heavy" end of 20weight and #524 at the "light" end of 20 weight according to the gal that answered. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Charlie_Iliff · Mar 20, 2003

a very good(simple and basic) design 

With an astonishingly wide range of capability.

 this tractor will outlast me. (ooh, that was sobering ) 

And that's just with petro oil. If you switch to synthetics, you'll have to start counting its longevity in generations.