Bobcat Skidsteer -- After Market Hyd oil ??

[farmboy555]

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]

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.

[Kgmz]

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

[farmboy555]

Thaks for the reply & info

[Johnsoils]

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]

Any opinions about hydraulic oil in a 763 in Greece, temps -5 - 15 (winter)
10 - 40 (summer) !
thanks!

[Johnsoils]

Any opinions about hydraulic oil in a 763 in Greece, temps -5 - 15 (winter)
10 - 40 (summer) !
thanks!

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

[gpap123]

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!

[Johnsoils]

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

[HeyUvaVT]

we use AW32 in our RC100 and AW46 in our TAK TB175 ..both seem to work well

[gpap123]

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]

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!

[Johnsoils]

gpap123,

Glad you found a product to fit your application and service.

John