What hydro oil are you all using

[uphere]

I like Petro Canada DuratranXL Synthetic for hydro but its not easy to find.

 

[Panik]

I'm probably going to get some hate for this, but...

We better keep looing. I walked around a bit, but didn't see any other brands. They carry Shell, Mobil, etc, but not in Hydraulic fluid. To the interwebs! Standing in the store I pull out my phone and press the Amazon icon. Search for hydraulic fluid...

My advice on the different lubricants is buy what you can afford and know why. I don't cheap out on the engine oil. I run Mobil 1 in all my vehicles, tractors, small engines, etc. Gear oil and hydraulic fluid is what I find on the shelf. I also am not a stickler for OEM filters. I could pay to have the manufactures name on the filter, or pay half as much and have Wix printed on it.

The important thing here is to do the maintenance regularly. Either trailer the tractor to the dealership and pay to have them do it, or do it yourself, but do it. Don't get wrapped around the axle about what brand is what. Spend what you can, and do the work.

I appreciate your approach to things..... and, lol, especially appreciate that I'm not the only person who can be found in a store looking like they're in a trance staring at the their phone for a half hour because their researching something "in the moment".

The nice part about your advice/guidance is it's very scalable to a person's scope of work and/or experience level...

Currently I buy Kubota UDT2 for hydraulic fluid. The reason "why" is because I know it's appropriately spec'ed, it is always READILY available and because (and this is important here) my scale of usage is such that it doesn't break the bank to provide me peace of mind... same thing with Shell Rotella T6 for engine oil.

Regarding filters: I'd conceptually have absolutely no problem switching over to WIX filters. However, it's proven to be an absolute frustrating time suck of a nightmare to repeatedly be able to source the right size and spec of filters across the locally available retailers (O'Riellys, Advance, TSC, etc)....I'd order online and try to save a bit of money where I can, but having tried that route previously with Kubota branded filters and received the wrong filters multiple times..... it's more efficient (even with the price premium) to use the local Kubota parts counter where I can visually verify I have the right equipment before I leave the store.

The fun part for me about your guidance is that it "fits" multiple different levels of experience and equipment usage. If/as my needs to change (more experience, more equipment/higher usage rate/rougher operating environment & larger volumes of fluids) your logic would still apply in sourcing different, quality spec'd fluids at hopefully an appropriate cost per volume to meet my needs.

 

[stormcom]

Chevron Full Synthetic Hydrostat oil (you can read the issues on my 1758 Massey here). Rotella T6 15w40 in the crankcase. Don't cheap out and use Dino oil. Oil is cheap, parts are not.

 

[Shady oak]

Kubota UDT2 in the Kubotas. I tried the cheap stuff from a local farm supply store. It made the Tran more whiney. I also use the JD brand for the Deere.

 

[2515R Dude]

Many say the best oil what your dealer uses.... My dealer uses Universal O'Reilly hydraulic oil.
Does it mean it is the best/manufacturer recommended?

BTW, i heard that Travelers Universal rated higher than Universal O'Reilly. Not sure if it is true, just for some reason it pops in my head when i think about two of them

 

[Rob REECE]

Sitting here needing hydro oil how about some suggestions from the guys that have purchased some from Tractor Supply, NAPA, Advanced Auto, etc. so many different brands it’s confusing to say the least

I have a John Deere and only use John Deere hydraulic oil. Call your dealer and use what they recommend.

 

[4x4moses]

I was really hoping that some of you guys might actually give me a brand and type so I could get with the program here. I’m not trying to skimp just don’t want to make the wrong choice

My Kioti dealer used to be a NAPA store, also. They use NAPA Premium (green label, NOT BLUE). I've used it for 6 years with no issues. That store/dealer has converted to a Carquest franchise, so I may continue to buy the NAPA Premium from another store, or switch to Mobil (haven't decided yet).

 

[Willman]

So I have been using TSC Universal Hydraulic oil in my Mahindra for 20 years
Been using in my Allis for decades, even when it was called Farm & Family store

I have read the specs on TSC oil and to me seems to meet most of the tractor manufacturers recommendations


There are posters on here telling us that this oil is junk and will cause issues with our machines
Has anyone here had their machines damaged from this oil and can prove positively TSC oil caused the damage?

Would like to see more info if this is the case

 

[RjCorazza]

So I have been using TSC Universal Hydraulic oil in my Mahindra for 20 years
Been using in my Allis for decades, even when it was called Farm & Family store

I have read the specs on TSC oil and to me seems to meet most of the tractor manufacturers recommendations


There are posters on here telling us that this oil is junk and will cause issues with our machines
Has anyone here had their machines damaged from this oil and can prove positively TSC oil caused the damage?

Would like to see more info if this is the case

I personally use Kubota sUDT/2 in my Kubotas, but also have no beef with TSC premium UTF.
That said, TSC did create quite the scuffuffle with the 303 tractor fluid debacle some years ago. I realize this was not the current premium UTF (which was also available at the time), but the 303 was marketed as "compatible with all modern machinery". The 303 fluid did in fact cause a significant amount of damage to modern tractors that it was used in.
I know this is apples and oranges, being a different product... but it still sticks in a lot of craws with TSC in general.

 

[Paul McILwain]

I will probably get some critic response here but my 2013 LS 5030c has never had a trans/hyd oil or filter change and has about 1500 hours on it. The oil still looks clean and everything operates fine except the pto (hyd, electric) will not stay engaged until warmed up in the winter. I put the range selector in neutral, the gear selector in 4th and the shuttle either forward or reverse for about 10 minutes then it stays engaged for snow blowing, no issues in warmer weather. I have considered changing to full synthetic trans hydraulic but have not yet as not sure it would solve the minor annoyance. Love the tractor

 

[Willman]

I personally use Kubota sUDT/2 in my Kubotas, but also have no beef with TSC premium UTF.
That said, TSC did create quite the scuffuffle with the 303 tractor fluid debacle some years ago. I realize this was not the current premium UTF (which was also available at the time), but the 303 was marketed as "compatible with all modern machinery". The 303 fluid did in fact cause a significant amount of damage to modern tractors that it was used in.
I know this is apples and oranges, being a different product... but it still sticks in a lot of craws with TSC in general.

I never used the “303” from TSC

 

[Flogger]

I run a decent quality 10w30 in any hydraulics without wet brakes. I have used it in wet brake systems with a friction modifier added. Been doing this for 30 years with excellent results. Many sundstrand transmissions with 5000 hrs plus and 0 issues.

 

[howardjohn]

For my jd skid steer or steering clutches in my dozer also jd I use hyguard by jd. In my loaders that have separate hydraulics from the trans I use tsc premium hyd fluid. In my older tractor with a manual trans and clutch I use tsc hyd fluid. Never had any problems with it.

 

[TN8Man]

TSC Traveller Premium UTF in my Kioti for years and now my TYM.

 

[5030]

Only thing I buy from TSC which we not so affectionately call 'Tough ****te Charlie's' is Rotella T6 when on sale and lynch pins and bird seed and suet. That is about the sum total of what I buy there and never any 'Traveller' fluids, ever. My tractors were expensive to purchase and I only use premium fluids and OEM filters on them, no exceptions, besides being a bona-fide ag operation, everything I put in them, even the fuel, is a write off at tax time and goes against the profit I make selling my hay along with any principal or interest I pay on my implements. Why I turn implements once they are fully depreciated. Only exception are the tractors which are pre 4, mechanically injected and basically turn key. No emissions, electronic tractors on this farm.

 

[revver6]

mobilfluid 424

 

[TN8Man]

Only thing I buy from TSC which we not so affectionately call 'Tough ****te Charlie's' is Rotella T6 when on sale and lynch pins and bird seed and suet. That is about the sum total of what I buy there and never any 'Traveller' fluids, ever. My tractors were expensive to purchase and I only use premium fluids and OEM filters on them, no exceptions, besides being a bona-fide ag operation, everything I put in them, even the fuel, is a write off at tax time and goes against the profit I make selling my hay along with any principal or interest I pay on my implements. Why I turn implements once they are fully depreciated. Only exception are the tractors which are pre 4, mechanically injected and basically turn key. No emissions, electronic tractors on this farm.

Traveller meets J20C standards and recommended by the manufacturer of my tractor.

 

[5030]

Traveller meets J20C standards and recommended by the manufacturer of my tractor.

Not germane to me at all actually and don't change my view of TSC lubricants at all. They don't refine anything, never have. They buy them pre packaged from a middleman or refiner and then the middleman or refiner applies their label and ships it off to TSC and they distribute it. I know where my Chevron comes from, same with Shell lubricants, they both come from the source, the refiners themselves. No middlemen, no repacking. You have no idea who refined that stuff or where it came from and TSC don't provide that data either.

I'll take a hard pass on anything labelled 'Traveler' and will continue to do so. For all intents and purposes, that fluid may be coming from China for all you or I know.

Cheaper usually equates to lesser quality even if it supposedly meets the manufacturers standards. Finally, TSC has no inspection facility but just goes on the word of whatever supplier that is supplying the fluid.

I do buy my Rotella T6 there when on sale if my 55 gallon drum is low. I never buy grease there because I don't use cartridge grease, I have a bulk air operated grease setup and buy my grease in 15 gallon open head grease drums. I find cartridge grease to be messy anyway and again, who packaged it and where did it originate at? I know where my grease comes from as I buy direct from the refiner because I buy in bulk packaging and it always has the label with the analysis on it. I use Shell T6 5-40 in everything with an engine on it btw. Even the lawnmowers and the hot water pressure washer. Same way with filters, only OEM filters on everything, no Fram junk here.

Tractors especially are a mojor investment, why cheap out on the very 'life blood' that insures they will keep on running with no issues? Makes zero sense to me but then I'm not you and you are the Captain of your own ship so you want to sink it, have at it.

 

[TN8Man]

Not germane to me at all actually and don't change my view of TSC lubricants at all. They don't refine anything, never have. They buy them pre packaged from a middleman or refiner and then the middleman or refiner applies their label and ships it off to TSC and they distribute it. I know where my Chevron comes from, same with Shell lubricants, they both come from the source, the refiners themselves. No middlemen, no repacking. You have no idea who refined that stuff or where it came from and TSC don't provide that data either.

I'll take a hard pass on anything labelled 'Traveler' and will continue to do so. For all intents and purposes, that fluid may be coming from China for all you or I know.

Cheaper usually equates to lesser quality even if it supposedly meets the manufacturers standards. Finally, TSC has no inspection facility but just goes on the word of whatever supplier that is supplying the fluid.

I do buy my Rotella T6 there when on sale if my 55 gallon drum is low. I never buy grease there because I don't use cartridge grease, I have a bulk air operated grease setup and buy my grease in 15 gallon open head grease drums. I find cartridge grease to be messy anyway and again, who packaged it and where did it originate at? I know where my grease comes from as I buy direct from the refiner because I buy in bulk packaging and it always has the label with the analysis on it. I use Shell T6 5-40 in everything with an engine on it btw. Even the lawnmowers and the hot water pressure washer. Same way with filters, only OEM filters on everything, no Fram junk here.

Tractors especially are a mojor investment, why cheap out on the very 'life blood' that insures they will keep on running with no issues? Makes zero sense to me but then I'm not you and you are the Captain of your own ship so you want to sink it, have at it.

I know where TSC Traveller UTF comes from and it does not come from China. It comes from the same company where Shell Rotella, Mobile One and other major brands come from. Where do you think Shell Rotella comes from?

 

[5030]

I know where TSC Traveller UTF comes from and it does not come from China. It comes from the same company where Shell Rotella, Mobile One and other major brands come from. Where do you think Shell Rotella comes from?

Out of the ground of course.