Yep.... oil question!!

[Richard]

I've got a hydraulically powered (off the PTO) flexwing mower.

4x speed increaser hangs on the pto and the pump is attached to the speed increaser. Otherwise, mower is 100% hydraulic.

Talked to dealer and he said I could (should?) use SAE 85-140w gear oil. Had "a voice" in the back of my head say to keep looking in the manual. Finally found in the manual, it says to put AW-100 in. Couple brands (don't know if these are current names or not)

Exxon NUTO H-100, Gulf Harmony 100AW, Shell Tellus 100 "or an approved equivalent 30 weight oil"

The voice in the back of my head says the SAE 85 is not the same as the AW-100.... I bought a 2-gallon container and it's almost like cold molasses..... a lot more viscious than what I thought I used 5 years ago when I first got this.

Do I go with the book (AW-100) or the dealer (SAE 85-140 gear oil) ?? Life is SO much easier if I can simply go to Rural King, Co-Op or other, to buy off the shelf.

I recall having FITS trying to find AW-100 several years ago. Finally, had to go to a local oil company and they special ordered it for me.

Thoughts?

 

[big bubba]

have you contacted the manufacturer on current oil recommendations vs owners manual? dealer may be clueless... that's where i'd start, what manu recommends for new machines & under warranty.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I would go with the manual and find equivalent oil... I have a feeling the dealer miss understood you... is that possible ?

AW stand for anti wear and its designed for hydraulic system, SAE 85-140w is gear oil for gears, bearings, and extreme pressure, that's too thick for a hydraulic pump.

 

[Richard]

Mower is probably 30 years old.... company (Terrain King) was bought by Alamo as I'm suspecting Alamo wanted the Hydraulic mower (they make a near clone of it)

They then pushed all Terrain King versions out to some kind of "dealer" network.... still confuses me a bit! I call Alamo, they push me to someone else. It is/was this someone else that said use the SAE version.

 

[Richard]

is that possible ?

Who, ME, be misunderstood?

Pffffffffffffft!!! Just ask my wife.....no, wait,don't ask my wife!



That is however, a good point. As it happened, the "local dealer" (probably 3-4 hours away) said he grew up in the same (and VERY VERY small) town I live in so we were sort of instant buddies as he wanted to take care of his 'Greenback' pal!

 

[big bubba]

if it's the original 30+ yr manual, it's probably outdated in terms of today's products. i have an Alamo product (formally Rhino) & got good lube info from their service tech re:gearbox oil. fortunately your dealer is also a friend, but may be uninformed on proper hyd fluid.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Ya, the mower is hydraulic with a hydraulic pump, the manual called for hydraulic fluid, put hydraulic fluid in it. I would put ant ISO 100 hydraulic fluid in it.