Hydrologic Fluid change

[Sunspot]

I bought a used tractor with 1500 hours on it. I have no idea on what maintenance was kept on it. I already changed the motor oil, filter and hit all the grease fittings.
I would like to change out the hydraulic oil and filter next. The last time I bought fluid was at the local NAPA shop and it was $8.00 for 1 gallon. I will need 12 gallons for the change.
I do want to use a good long lasting fluid but should it cost $96.00? Any suggestions?

 

[MSM]

What kind of tractor? Most now use a universal tractor fluid(UTF) NOT hydraulic oil.

 

[Sunspot]

It's a '86 Ford 3910.

 

[Joe(TX)]

The univeral tractor fluid is actually universal hydraulic fluid. It is just also used in gearboxes. It is still primarily hydraulic fluid.

 

[Anonymous-0]

First I would try to determine if the fluid had ever been changed and at what intervals it needs to be chaged. I would visually inspect and smell the fludi to see if there were indications of problems. Then I would decide if the 96 dollars is small potatoes or too much to spend and then risk the welfare of my tractor. Personally I would check to now and again and change it around engine rebuild time.

 

[old]

Buying in 1 Gal. jugs is the expenseive way to buy the stuff. Buy it in 5 gal. buckets and the cost will be about a 1/3 less if not more.
Hobby farm

 

[showcrop]

If it has a manual trans use plain hydraulic but if it has any sort of powershift use hytran.

 

[msb]

Ain't nothin worth buyin cheap these days.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The oil could be analyzed to see if it's still good to use. It could even be run through a filter but instead of buying the oil from a dealer you could just buy oil that meets the same specs. $96 may seem high but it will last a long time so the per hour price is very cheap. I know in my MF 135 the MF oil works the best. It's not too much more than non MF oil. Dave

 

[Sunspot]

(quoted from post at 05:45:42 09/14/07)
First I would try to determine if the fluid had ever been changed and at what intervals it needs to be chaged.

The operators manual calls for a change every 600 hours. I’m not trying to get out on the cheap side but I was wondering what the usual price was paid for a good quality oil and where it was bought.
As it is a used tractor I would like to know that the servicing is up to date. I keep a log on what was done and when it was done. If I sell it in the future, I’ll pass on the records to the new owner.