hydraulic oil question

[br389]

I am changing the hydraulic oil in my 648 and I was wondering if theres a good subsitue for the john deere hy gard oil.. Thanks

[Gary_C]

John Deere does not make hydraulic oil, they have it made for them to their specs. The same oil blenders that make their oil also sell hydraulic oil with the same specs and will sell it to you at a lower cost. They just will not tell you it is the same as the John Deere brand oil, only that it meets their specs.

So shop around, there is lots of high quality oil out there at better prices than at John Deere. Just make sure it meets their specs.

And don't worry about color, that's just an identifier.

[coxy]

we use extreme from tsc  in the dozer guy down the road logging puts it in his 548 deere

[Southside]

I run the same thing (TSC) in my JD 490D and have not had an issue with it. 

[thenorthman]

Hygard, is an updated type 303, most of the tractor trans/hydraulic fluids are all compatible.  Just make sure its trans/hydraulic, not just hydraulic.

Deere, Case, Harley Davidson so far all say that you have to use their oil (which is usually 20% more then other brands) ignore them use the unbranded stuff and don't look back.

[treeslayer2003]

i use napa.............i don't like the deere oils..........motor oil looks dirty in the jug.
thier coolant will need additive, don't believe it when they say it won't.....get the test kit and use it.

[SliverPicker]

The best deal going that I have found is CarQuest.  They have a big sale on oil at least once a year.  This year I bought 100 gallons of hydraulic oil for right around $800.  This was in 5 gallon pails.  I couldn't get anywhere near that price buying it by the drum elsewhere.  80/90 was about the same price as well.  Car Quest's hyd. oil is manufactured by Texaco. 

They have a really good filter sale once or twice per year too.  Often the sale prices are less that half of normal  When the sale is on its time to stock up.

[snowstorm]

i buy mine from an oil distributor. usually its $10 to 20 less per pail than the parts stores

[LorenB]

I am changing the hydraulic oil in my 648 and I was wondering if theres a good subsitue for the john deere hy gard oil.. Thanks

br389,

Several years ago the magazine Turbo Diesel Register, which covers Dodge diesel trucks did some articles on engine oil.  They were basically written by a petroleum engineer.  He discussed the oil specifications (CJ-4, CI-4, etc.) and the various brands.  This guy knew what he was talking about.  I don't remember much from those articles except for one point:  Oil is a commodity.  If the oil meets the specifications for your engine, then it doesn't matter whether the bottle says Mobil, or Wal-Mart.  Buy on price. 

While those articles were about engine oils, I'm sure that you can say the same for hydraulic oils.  I'd go with what Gary_C said: "Just make sure it meets their specs." 

Good luck,
-- Loren

[Southside]

One thing I was recently told was that the new JD equipment has a different internal component composition (more brass, less brass, something along those lines) to the hydraulic pump and the non-hyguard oils don't have enough of some additive, thus why they are cheaper.  Well, my 490D was built back in '87 and retro fitted with the processor setup in '96 so its nothing I am ever going to worry about. 

[mad murdock]

if you are talking hydraulic oil, AW46 is a sandard spec that a lot of equipment use.  If it is transmission/hydraulic, could be 'nother critter all together.  Always check specs, but manufacturer or "brand" usually is just an excuse to charge more.  We get ours from the local Farm Coop, at a good price.  AW46 for standard hydraulic, and AW68 for higher temp hydraulic applications.  AW68 has better antifoam and high heat characteristics over the 46.

[BargeMonkey]

we use extreme from tsc  in the dozer guy down the road logging puts it in his 548 deere

Our TSC doesn't Have the "extreme" oil anymore, and the replacement they have is for older tractors and not transmission oil. Just watch out. Ive been buying the higher grade stuff in the black jugs from tractor and havent had a problem.

[stihltoomany]

I don't use John Deere oil in my JD equipment. I have used Coop (Farmland) now Cenex for ever with excellent results. Don't know that its alot cheaper but very high quality products. I know forestry equipment holds a lot of oil, but I have very good results with their synthetic blend JD type hydraulic fluid in cold weather. Would highly recomend all their oil, grease and fluids. smiley_clapping

[Nemologger]

Not hydraulic oil, sorry. What do you guys think about Sinclair 15-40 oil? My fuel man has it in a 55 gal drum for 540.00.

[LorenB]

Not hydraulic oil, sorry. What do you guys think about Sinclair 15-40 oil? My fuel man has it in a 55 gal drum for 540.00.

Nemologger,

This is exactly what that TDR article was about some time back.  If the oil meets the specifications for your engine/equipment (e.g. CF-4) then it's okay and you should buy based on price. 

That said, I do believe that synthetic oils are better, but Cummins won't let me extend the change interval for my pickup even if I use synthetic.  It's about twice as expensive as petroleum oil, so I use that instead of synthetic.  I get Rotella at Sam's Club.  I'm sure you'll be fine with the Sinclair as long as it meets the specifications. 

-- Loren

-- Loren