Fluids idea

[SGF]

This may be a crazy idea. Maybe it was already addressed but I can't find it so here goes.

I have been reading these forums for a couple of years. When I bought my Ford 641 with loader in May, I quickly realized that the forty-seven year old fluid recommendations in the manual weren't going to work out.

I did a good bit of reading here and it seems like the fluids folks are using is very varied, regardless of type of machine or manufacturer. Because fluids are so important to longevity, I wonder if there is any research on what’s best, or a single source for a list of what people have successfully used. . If there isn't, it certainly seems like it might be worth having, since the question of what to use in what appears to come up so often. For example, when I checked on what to use in my Wagner loader I found something like six different fluid types being used.

 

[Janicholson]

Shortening the story:
Manufacturers now set specifications that exceed the old data by quantum leaps.
There are only a double handfull of specialty manufacturers/refiners making quantities of Hydro/trans fluid etc.
They supply everyone except specialty lines like Amsoil or a few refiners with less known names.
Oil that meets or exceeds new requirments, and is the correct viscosity, is going to work well.
Replacing all or most of it at one time is best (flushes out old, and lessens compatibility issues.
Old tractors with low pressure systems may need heavier wt oil to perform. If shared equipment is used, issues of mixing viscosity will occur. Use quality brands and avoid the off brand un specified quality, no spec fluids. JimN

 

[Don-Wi]

Ditto on what Janicholson said. We MF's Perma-Tran III in everything, because we have 2 Massey's 2 Olivers. The Oliver's aren't picky about what they run, but the Massey's are, so we run their fluid.

We don't have cylinders that we only use on certain tractors either like I've heard of some guys using. We just use any cylinder on any tractor without concern of mixing different fluids.

Donovan from Wisconsin

 

[SGF]

Both your points are valid but I think there is more to it than that. Here is one example. My Ford 641's manual calls for 20 wt motor oil in the engine. If you look around the Web, you'll find recommendations for 20 and 30 wt detergent and non detergent oil, 10W30, and 10W40 multi viscosity oils. Apparently they all work, as folks recommend them.

I suppose my goal is to obtain some consensus of opinion. Like with most things, the fluid recommendation used by most people is likely the best choice. In another example, I wanted to run the same hydraulic oil in my tractor and Wagner loader. That way, other than engine oil I only have one fluid to worry about. The looming question is what to run, or what works best. Don-Wi’s point about the Oliver being less picky is a perfect supporter of my point, when he mentions one brand being pickier than the other. That is knowledge that comes with (likely) a wealth of experience. I novice trying to learn what to use may get conflicting information which could lead to costly mistakes.I know we will never get everyone to agree on what fluid is best, but I think it could be narrowed down more.