303 hyd. oil alternative

[SGF]

I just found out my state stopped the sale of 303 hyd. fluid a few years ago. I need an alternative that I can get locally for my 1968 JD 2020 and my 1960 Ford 641.

I found Mobil Delvac Tractor Hydraulic Fluid locally. It meets New Holland ESN-M2C-134-D and John Deere J20C. I think the will be a good option my tractors. Do any of you see a reason to not go with the Delvec?

 

[Scott 730]

Mobil Delvac (424) is light years ahead of that yellow bucket 303 swill. I wish JD could put an end to anyone using the term 303 on their products.

 

[Jim.ME]

(quoted from post at 13:31:14 11/12/22)
Mobil Delvac (424) is light years ahead of that yellow bucket 303 swill. I wish JD could put an end to anyone using the term 303 on their products.

Mobilfluid 424 (previous name) and Mobil Delvac Tractor Fluid are the same product. It will be fine for your needs.

 

[tomstractorsandtoys]

As long as it says J20C it will work fine in your tractor. I redid a 3020 transmission last winter for a customer that used junk 303 oil. All the lining fell off the syncro discs. Tom

 

[sotxbill]

john deere j20 fluid replaced the JD303. 303 was replaced due to the 1978 international treaty ban on whale harvesting... the whale oil was used for a viscosity additive.. And then there was the guy who was selling used transformer oil as an 303 oil... Legal action shut them down based on fraud and epa violations of a toxic substance?? So any j20 or newer oil will work fine and exceed the original spec which will be most any utf you can find today.

 

[buickanddeere]

(quoted from post at 13:25:45 11/12/22) I just found out my state stopped the sale of 303 hyd. fluid a few years ago. I need an alternative that I can get locally for my 1968 JD 2020 and my 1960 Ford 641.

I found Mobil Delvac Tractor Hydraulic Fluid locally. It meets New Holland ESN-M2C-134-D and John Deere J20C. I think the will be a good option my tractors. Do any of you see a reason to not go with the Delvec?

Hy-Gard

 

[SGF]

Thanks all. It sounds like the Delvac will be best for me as it sounds like it will work in the JD and the Ford. I considered the JD fluid but it's over twice the price and not close by. When I bought the 641 in 2007 it was my first tractor. I started using the 303 universal tractor fluid and have since then. Side story, yesterday I was running the brush mower on the JD and somehow the end pieces come off the three point load control shaft and it slid over to one side disconnecting the lift arm on one side...and most of the hyd. oil drained. The left over 5 gal. pails of 303 I bought for $32.00 four years ago were not enough to refill after repairing the problem, which I haven't started on yet. I couldn't find the 303 anywhere and I learned about the law suits and other issues. Big surprise to me since I haven't tried to buy any in a long while. I also noticed the hyd. oil prices pretty much doubled since then, no surprise there I guess.