Ventrac branded oil and fluid

[prs]

We all now Ventrac does not operate a refinery, so their proprietary motor oil and hydraulic oil are rebranded from some supplier; maybe Texaco or XOM or Valvoline/Marathon? My dealer was pretty open about that and said any top quality motor oil that meets the grade and spec would be fine, but he was more vague about hydraulic/transmission fluid. In this day and age, many, if not most, "synthetic" oils and fluids are actually derived from highly refined petroleum and not "really" synthetic; but I get it. Do any you know the actual application specification "call letters" of the Ventrac "synthetic" hy-tran fluid? Their site has a specification section, but they omit (unless I am lover looking it) the actual labeling of the official standard it meets.

My Ventrac is too new to have a need for such, but just wondering in advance.

prs

 

[BKBrown]

I believe you can look that up from the Ventrac Web site using your serial number. At one point Ventrac was recommending only Amsoil Hydro fluid.

 

[murph1]

What surprised me was the 2000 hour service. Thats a lot of hours.

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

I believe that Ventrac motor oil is rebranded AMSOIL.

Ventrac Hydro-Torq SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Hydraulic Fluid is similar to AMSOIL SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission Oil., API Classification GL-4. However, if you compare the specifications, you will see that there are some differences. E.g.,

-- Kinematic Viscosity @ 100 Degrees C (ASTM D445): 9.8 (AMSOIL); 10.03 (Ventrac Hydro-Torq);

-- Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 Degrees C (ASTM D445): 53.7 (AMSOIL); 58.21 (Ventrac Hydro-Torq); and

-- Viscosity Index (ASTM D2270): 170 (AMSOIL); 160 (Ventrac Hydro-Torq).

See also the breakdown of specifications, "Typical Technical Properties," at the bottom of this page. Ventrac Hydro-Torque appears to be generally comparable to ISO 68.

I suggest that you use Ventrac Hydro-Torq to avoid any warranty issues. Pp. 87- 88 of the Model 4500's Operator's Manual states:

This warranty extends only to Ventrac turf equipment operated under normal conditions and properly serviced and maintained. The warranty expressly does not cover: [...] (g) repair or replacement necessitated by the use of parts, accessories or supplies, including gasoline, oil or lubricants, incompatible with the turf equipment or other than as recommended in the operator's manual or other operational instructions provided by V.P.I.[....].

Although the Ventrac Hydro-Torq is not inexpensive, it is far less than the cost of a replacement hydraulic pump, hydraulic motors on attachments, a complete flushing of the hydraulic system, etc., etc. If you use Ventrac Hydro-Torq, there will be no issue of warranty coverage, provided that you have complied with the other terms and conditions of the Warranty.

Best,

JJM

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

What surprised me was the 2000 hour service. Thats a lot of hours.

Agreed, but Ventrac must have good reason for making that recommendation.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My Steiner suggests some stupid "Steiner Torque Fluid" that comes in little bottles. I use JD low viscosity oil in just about everything including the Steiner. I buy it by the pail and it's a hundred bucks or so a pail, but I believe it to be high quality oil. I just can't have all these different oils around.

 

[prs]

The 2,000 hours is remarkable. I notice the downloaded 4500 manual states 500 and 1,500 hours; assume 1,000 there after? Maybe the paper manual rolled-up in the canister is different? I may have to unroll it ;-)

prs

 

[Raw Dodge]

I agree with the advice given here about the hydro fluid. Amsoil 5w30 hydro xl is the fluid to use in a ventrac or steiner. This fluid has been proven in over 20 yrs use in steiners ,it is the best fluid you can use.This Is one area where you don't want to skimp, Opening the system and having to make repairs,and resurface the back plate and pistons is not something you want to do or have done...it's bad enough that occasionally you need to replace hoses and open things up. I also can't say enough good about Bestline Powertrain additive..It will quiet the system noticeably and reduces friction and wear. I like to add a quart minimum ,2 quarts is better but it's expensive..

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

The 2,000 hours is remarkable. I notice the downloaded 4500 manual states 500 and 1,500 hours; assume 1,000 there after? Maybe the paper manual rolled-up in the canister is different? I may have to unroll it ;-)

prs

My downloaded version of the Operator's Manual (0910081_KN4500_Operators_R05.pdf, Revised 06/12/14 09.10081 Rev. 05), at Page 66 of 88, states that:

-- one should Check [the] Hydraulic Oil Level daily;

-- one should Check [the] Rear Transaxle Oil Level every 250 hours, and yearly;

-- one should Change [the] Hydraulic Filters every 250 hours, and yearly; and that

-- one should Change [the] Hydraulic Oil and Rear Transaxle Oil every 2,000 hours, or every five years.





My printed manual, supplied with my Model 4500Y, says the same as the above-specified PDF version. I have added arrows to the image of Page 66 for the sake of clarity.

Best,

JJM

 

[prs]

JJM, the downloaded version I have is more recent. 09.10081-REV7 02/18/2015

The odd thing is. for our Kubota motors, the second page of the service requirement is not marked at all. I see no reason as to why that part of the schedule would differ from engine to engine, but..........? For the 4500 models were the second page is completed, the hy-tran fluid interval is shortened. I down loaded from Ventrac site. I will check the paper copy in my canister when I get to it.

I will adhere to the advice above RE Amsoil or OEM hydraulic fluid.

prs