Synthetic Lubricants in Power Tracs

MossRoad · Mar 20, 2003

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 ) 

Hey now, no reality checks, please /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Anonymous Poster · Mar 20, 2003

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

Well, that settles that, I'll ask my son if he has any interest in this tractor stuff...If he answers "yes", I'll switch to synth.
If he answers "no" I'll do nothing.
Life is getting simple again. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

PTRich · Mar 20, 2003

The tractor could use a bigger reservoir. Not for better hydralic performance but for plain old weight! I have been hauling wood thru the biggest mud whole you ever saw. Having chains on all four and not being to heavy is probably a good thing right now but there are times when more weight would be nice.

MossRoad · Mar 21, 2003

Chains! Mud Holes! We need action photos! ha ha ha ha ha /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I got stuck in a little mud last weekend. Mud wasn't deep, but the turfs just plugged up solid. I ended up dumping the bucket about a foot from the end of travel, shoving it down in the dirt real hard, then dumping it the rest of the way to inch myself forward while driving the wheels, then repeating. Went forward about 10" at a time. Worked good. Would work backwards, too, if needed. Maybe even better, since there is more power on the lift stroke, than the dump stroke.

Charlie_Iliff · Apr 2, 2003

I harassed Terry until he went to the boss and reviewed Amsoil Tractor Hydraulic Fluid with him. They went over the specs together, and concluded that the Power Trac hydraulic systems would love the stuff. They said that they wouldn't recommend it on a cost effectiveness basis, but that it should give very good service.
Terry then laughed and said he personally wouldn't recommend it because nothing would ever wear out and they wouldn't be able to sell any parts.
Bottom line - PTs have given good service and longevity with ordinary 10 w 30 oil. Synthetic motor oil either Mobil 1 or Amsoil would be better, as would synthetic hydraulic fluid from Amsoil, but Power Trac doesn't know that the extra cost would be justified.
I recalculated and it appears if I go with Amsoil Tractor Hydraulic fluid, at current annual usage the hydraulic system on my PT 1845 will wear out on my 181st birthday.

bubenberg · Apr 2, 2003

i won't be able to make it to your parade on your 181st birthday, no swiss cheese has ever lasted that long /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MossRoad · Apr 2, 2003

no swiss cheese has ever lasted that long 

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