801 rear end oil

Scott-IA

Member
planning on doing a few lube changes on my 'new to me' 851. Looked in the manual, and from what I can see, it pretty much gives you the qty of oil for everything.....except the rear end 80 wt. Anyone know about what it holds? Going to the store, and don't really want to guess how much is needed.
 
Tranny - 4 speed - 6 1/2 qts
Hydraulic Reservoir - 9 qts
Rearend - 11 1/2 qts
The tractor was designed to have 134 oil in the Hyd section and 90w in the trans and rear end.
Many on here have a whole list of excuses why you should use 134 in all 3 compartments.
But bottom line is Ford built the tractor to use 90w in the trans and rear end.
I often wonder if these same people use automatic transmission fluid in the rear end of their pickup using these same excuses as the reason.
 
Last edited:
Tranny - 4 speed - 6 1/2 qts
Hydraulic Reservoir - 9 qts
Rearend - 11 1/2 qts
The tractor was designed to have 134 oil in the Hyd section and 90w in the trans and rear end.
Many on here have a whole list of excuses why you should use 134 in all 3 compartments.
But bottom line is Ford built the tractor to use 90w in the trans and rear end.
I often wonder if these same people use automatic transmission fluid in the rear end of their pickup using these same excuses as the reason.
John,
I respectfully disagree. That may work in La, but up north where it gets cold, that 90W gets too stiff in the cold. The tranny loaded up with that stuff wants to jump forward in neutral. It doesn't lube well when it's as thick as molasses.
JMHO
Keith
 
John,
I respectfully disagree. That may work in La, but up north where it gets cold, that 90W gets too stiff in the cold. The tranny loaded up with that stuff wants to jump forward in neutral. It doesn't lube well when it's as thick as molasses.
JMHO
Keith
We can disagree but I find it odd that if this was such a problem in cold climates why does every car and truck rearend and most manual transmissions still use 90w.
Modern tractors are the only thing using hyd oil in the rearend and where most of you guys get the inclination that hyd oil will work in these 60 year old tractors.

So I will ask.
How did changing your pickup rearend from 90w to hyd oil work out since I know you must have changed it by now with your cold climate.
 
We can disagree but I find it odd that if this was such a problem in cold climates why does every car and truck rearend and most manual transmissions still use 90w.
Modern tractors are the only thing using hyd oil in the rearend and where most of you guys get the inclination that hyd oil will work in these 60 year old tractors.

So I will ask.
How did changing your pickup rearend from 90w to hyd oil work out since I know you must have changed it by now with your cold climate.
John,
I don't do pickups. My Honda HRV has a version of UTF style oil in it's CVT and Transfer case.
My 4600 (78) and 2000 (74) have UTF in them as does my 1964 4000.
I only use 85W140 for my gearbox on the mower.

I have used UTF since FORD recommended it as the fluid to use in these tractors in the 70's and 80's.
It made starting my 4000 much easier in the cold weather. I have used it to put out hay in weather as cold as -34F (I was out for 5 hours in that cold). That is my experience.

You can use what you want to.
Keith
 
John,
I don't do pickups. My Honda HRV has a version of UTF style oil in it's CVT and Transfer case.
My 4600 (78) and 2000 (74) have UTF in them as does my 1964 4000.
I only use 85W140 for my gearbox on the mower.

I have used UTF since FORD recommended it as the fluid to use in these tractors in the 70's and 80's.
It made starting my 4000 much easier in the cold weather. I have used it to put out hay in weather as cold as -34F (I was out for 5 hours in that cold). That is my experience.

You can use what you want to.
Keith
John,
By 1964 the Ford Tractor division had started to use oils that would later be UTF's. The 134 spec had not been developed yet.
My owner's manual lists M-2C41 as an alternative for the hydraulics. It does list 80W oil in the trans and rear end.
Keith
 

Attachments

  • Ford 4000 Owner's Manual Page 48 & 49.jpg
    Ford 4000 Owner's Manual Page 48 & 49.jpg
    1.3 MB · Views: 16
Tranny - 4 speed - 6 1/2 qts
Hydraulic Reservoir - 9 qts
Rearend - 11 1/2 qts
The tractor was designed to have 134 oil in the Hyd section and 90w in the trans and rear end.
Many on here have a whole list of excuses why you should use 134 in all 3 compartments.
But bottom line is Ford built the tractor to use 90w in the trans and rear end.
I often wonder if these same people use automatic transmission fluid in the rear end of their pickup using these same excuses as the reason.
The tractor was designed to have 134 oil in the Hyd section and 90w in the trans and rear end.

Not true. It was designed to have plain hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic section. The 134 spec wasn't even invented when that tractor was being manufactured.
 
We can disagree but I find it odd that if this was such a problem in cold climates why does every car and truck rearend and most manual transmissions still use 90w.
Modern tractors are the only thing using hyd oil in the rearend and where most of you guys get the inclination that hyd oil will work in these 60 year old tractors.

So I will ask.
How did changing your pickup rearend from 90w to hyd oil work out since I know you must have changed it by now with your cold climate.
Most manual transmissions made in the last 40 years use automatic transmission fluids or a light synthetic gear oil. Transfer cases just about all use automatic transmission fluid. Differentials have gone the same way over the years. Technology in lubricants have come a long way and the heavy gear oils of yesterday aren't necessary. I remember well the days of how hard the shifter was to move on my 70's pickup on cold mornings with heavy gear oil. Also how much easier it was when I used thin synthetic oil.
 
For anyone that cares a modern UTF lubricant has the foĺlowing properties:

VIscosity: 9.5 cSt @ 100° C = SAE 80
API service class : GL4 EP gear oil.

That would have conformed to Ford's recommendation for a SAE 80 mild EP gear oil going back as far as the 1939 9N.

TOH
 
I know with my 8N, that with 90 weight gear lube in it here in the frigid northeast, I can go inside and brew a pot of coffee waiting for the lift arms to raise the blade until it warms up some.
 
UTF was originally formulated for housings with clutch packs in them. Ford 801s with clutch packs are pretty unusual, so if you want to spend more for more headaches that is up to you. Just understand that unless you are working it somewhere near like it was designed to be worked you will need to monitor the oil closely for moisture. It is pretty common and it is called "milk shake" oil and it is not good for bearings.
 
UTF was originally formulated for housings with clutch packs in them. Ford 801s with clutch packs are pretty unusual, so if you want to spend more for more headaches that is up to you. Just understand that unless you are working it somewhere near like it was designed to be worked you will need to monitor the oil closely for moisture. It is pretty common and it is called "milk shake" oil and it is not good for bearings.
Two of the models in the 801 series had the S-O-S transmission, which had internal clutch packs. If the seals between the sumps leak, you risk plain hydro fluid getting into the trans, which the S-O-S clutch packs will not like.
 
Two of the models in the 801 series had the S-O-S transmission, which had internal clutch packs. If the seals between the sumps leak, you risk plain hydro fluid getting into the trans, which the S-O-S clutch packs will not like.
851s with an SOS are pretty rare.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top