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Bobcat Skidsteer -- After Market Hyd oil ??

farmboy555

farmboy555

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Aug 24, 2006
Messages
191
Location
KY
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Owner Operator
Just purchased a S185 Bobcat with 1200 hrs. Going to change all the fluids in it. Not that close to a dealer and not going to use motor oil for hyd oil. Have a chevron dealer close by. So what your thinking on AW32 ot AW46. Weather temps not a big deal here in Ky. I would think that hydraulic oil has to be better tha 10w30 motor oil. thanks dennis
 
willie59

willie59

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Dec 21, 2008
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Knoxville TN
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I've been using AW32 for several years, haven't had an issue with it. Bobcat uses an oil cooler so oil temp is controlled. I think Bobcat also uses hyd oil in the chain case, be sure and change that oil as well.
 
K

Kgmz

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Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
308
Location
Portland, OR & Eatonville, WA
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General Contractor
We use AW46 in almost everything.

Optimal operating range, from coldest start up to highest fluid temperature measured at tank.
AW32 - 17 to 147 degrees F
AW46 - 28 to 163 degrees F

AW32 would be equivalent to a SAE 10 weight oil
AW46 would be equivalent to a SAE 15 weight oil
 
J

Johnsoils

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Joined
Jul 28, 2008
Messages
72
Location
Iowa
farmboy555,

Most of the skidsteers I have been around and operated have all been running the 10W-30 engine oil. The only issues I've had up here in NE Iowa is in the winter when we get down to -20 to -40 below, the conventional 10W-30 engine oils don't flow that well and the hydraulic pumps get starved for oil. The 30W engine oils would be compariable to a ISO 100 hydraulic oil as far as viscosity at operating temperature.

The great thing about this forum is you get feedback on what works in the real world. If you have decided not to run 10W-30 engine oil like the OEM recommends, you have feedback from a couple of forum members that are getting along fine with hydraulic oil. Most of your farm tractor transmissions now call for an oil equivilant to 5W-30 oil. Just food for thought keep an eye on your temperatures and system performance, if they are all normal and performing then life is good. Thanks to the forum members above for their experience and sharing what's working for them. Thanks, John
 
gpap123

gpap123

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Oct 13, 2008
Messages
103
Location
Hellas (Greece), Europe
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Civil Engineer - Contructor
Any opinions about hydraulic oil in a 763 in Greece, temps -5 - 15 (winter)
10 - 40 (summer) !
thanks!
 
J

Johnsoils

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Messages
72
Location
Iowa
gpap123 said:
Any opinions about hydraulic oil in a 763 in Greece, temps -5 - 15 (winter)
10 - 40 (summer) !
thanks!
Click to expand...

I assume your speaking about a Bobcat 763. I couldn't find Bobcats specs on hydraulic oil. I know Bobcat has their own fluids; In most of the skidloaders and hydrostats the AMSOIL 10W-30 small engine oil works great, as does the 5W-30 tractor transmission/hydraulic oil. If you have a manual on the machine could you send me Bobcats specs? I'll keep looking for a downloadable Bobcat manual on the 763 machine.

In the meantime, I would recommend a good quality fluid with good cold flow properties or a synthetic fluid.

Thanks, John
 
Last edited:
gpap123

gpap123

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Oct 13, 2008
Messages
103
Location
Hellas (Greece), Europe
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Civil Engineer - Contructor
Dear John,
Yes i am speaking about Bobcat 763.I have bought it few months ago, it was about 2600 hours, and hydraulic oil that has been used is ATF 10w in (red fluid). I asked a very good engineer yesterday and he suggested motor oil, like you said.
Unfortunately i do not have a manual and i also need one...If i find something i could contact to you.
thanks for advice!
 
J

Johnsoils

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Iowa
gpap123,

I've been doing so investigating and have found that 10W-30 engine oil should be just fine in the 763. I found this posting on a site from a 763 owner:

Was going to try and scan the page out of the service manual but unfortunately it had other ideas.
Under fluid type it says: Bobcat fluid (P/N 6563328); if fluid is not available, use 10w-30/10w-40 Class SE motor oil for temperatures above 0 F(-18 C)
5w-30 motor oil for temperatures below 0 F (-18 C).
That's good enough for me, and works just fine in my 763, but if your not comfortable using off-brand oils, use the Bobcat stuff. Me, I'd rather save a few bucks and put it towards something I enjoy.

As you can see this guy is a 763 owner and is using 10W-30 engine oil. I would recommend a synthetic 10W-30 API SE rated motor oil. I know over in Europe you folks have been running synthetics for years, so there are probably so good products available over there for you. I've never tried to ship AMSOIL to Greece, but bet I could get it done if you had not other options. Let me know if you can't find a quality 10W-30 API SE rated oil for your machine.

Thanks,

John
 
gpap123

gpap123

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103
Location
Hellas (Greece), Europe
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Civil Engineer - Contructor
Dear John,
thanks for your information. I am not sure about AMSOIL but i am sure that i can find synthetic and good quality 10w-30 API SE rated oil.
 
gpap123

gpap123

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Oct 13, 2008
Messages
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Location
Hellas (Greece), Europe
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Civil Engineer - Contructor
i have replaced the hydraulic oil with bobcat hydraulic oil and i think that is the best solution because it has a range from -35 to +65 Celcious ! And it is not so expensive, i have bought 25 liters for 105 euros when i pay the JCB hydraulics for 150 euros!
 
V

ValleyFirewood

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Joined
Aug 17, 2013
Messages
311
Location
Palmer, AK
I know this is an old thread but it pertains to the question I have.


I have a 2003 S250.

I bought the machine this summer and use it mainly for moving logs around with a grapple onto a firewood processor.

Bobcat specs their brand of hydraulic oil, but it's about $25/gal.

I went through the machine after I bought it and put new filters, changed fluids, etc.

I used AW32 hydraulic oil, which runs about $10/gal.

I think it took 4 or 5 pails between the hydraulic system and the chaincase.


Have put about 100hrs on the machine and it seems to be running just as it should, but I'd like confirmation I guess that the AW32 is ok :)




Img_0590.jpg
 
B

blitz138

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Joined
Jun 22, 2011
Messages
335
Location
Utah
Ya ValleyFirewood its fine, but in Arkansas I think Id run an AW46. A little more viscosity for the heat down there.
 
V

ValleyFirewood

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Joined
Aug 17, 2013
Messages
311
Location
Palmer, AK
Yeah I live in Alaska. If it hits 80* here that's darn HOT!
Haven't seen AW46 for sale even. All the parts houses, Walmart, Lowes, etc just have AW32 and UTF.
 
G

gwhammy

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Nov 20, 2013
Messages
606
Location
missouri
I've ran 15-40 for years in bobcats without much of a problem. We do get cold some in northern Missouri but when it's that cold I don't work. If I do start the machine it's in the shop and gets warmed up to push snow.

I did ruin two hydraulic pumps back in the 80's starting a machine when it was around 15 below. I don't remember what oil I was using then but guessing motor oil.
 
M

mbs

Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2014
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5
Location
United States
willie59 said:
I've been using AW32 for several years, haven't had an issue with it. Bobcat uses an oil cooler so oil temp is controlled. I think Bobcat also uses hyd oil in the chain case, be sure and change that oil as well.
Click to expand...

AW32 for hydro, Chain case is basically just any oil. From the factory they ship with hydro oil in the chain cases, But my dealers have always said just any oil you have laying around. Never had an issue due to different oils in the chain cases, Just needs to keep chains oiled.
 
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