10W-30 oil for hydraulics

I need to add new oil to my skid steer and it specifies 10W-30. I'm going to rent a filter cart to clean the oil before putting it in and clean it again after a couple hours of use but wondering if it matters much which 10W-30 conventional oil I use? The new oils are all a higher API spec. than what it originally called for. Napa has house brand oil (Proformer) on sale for $3/litre which is less than half of most name brand oils and some people say the Supertech oil from Walmart is decent oil. In a hydraulic application would it make any difference over name brand oils if they all meet API SN?

https://www.napacanada.com/en/p/PFQPF10W30CO5L

What type of 10W/30 does it specify, motor oil or hydraulic oil..? Big difference.

With the amount of money you just spent on parts and your determination to get everything clean and “right” why would you want to go nickel and diming with oil that’s probably one step up from what you could buy at Joe Blow’s Gas & Groceries..?

Make sure what you use doesn’t have a detergent additive in it.

It specifies to use 10W-30 API SE/CD engine oil only in the owners manual. That's why I don't know if buying name brand for double the price will make any difference because they are all a higher spec than the original oil. Maybe private brand SN oil better than name brand SE oil?

The problem with motor oil these days is that it’s pretty much impossible to get a multi grade without a detergent package (see vetech’s post above). IMHO you would be better putting a good brand (major oil co) straight 10W hydraulic oil in it.

Loader Parts Source where I got the drive motor from recommends universal tractor fluid and says it meets all the requirements for hydrostatic transmissions and is a little cheaper than motor oil. Apparently straight AW hydraulic fluid does not have the right additives for hydrostatic transmissions. It lists separate hydraulic systems on the label as well. I was worried that new motor oils would have additives that could harm the hydrostat components.

https://www.loaderpartssource.com/kbase/Videos/Type_of_Hydraulic_oil_used_in_skidsteer.html

It seems strange to me that while most hydraulic drive systems on skid steers and the like are quite happy to operate on hydraulic oil (let’s face it they are a hydraulic system after all is said and done) for some reason the parts supplied by this outfit don’t. As the Chinaman would say - sum ting wong.....

Did some looking and found this on another forum.

Re: tractor fluid VS #46 hydrolic fluid
There is a difference in the two types of fluid. One is a hydraulic oil only and the other is a UTF (universal tractor fluid). The hydraulic fluid/oil is designed for one thing only and that is as a hydraulic fluid. UTF type products have a greatly different additive package than plain hydraulic oils. They have friction modifiers as are needed in hydrostatic transmissions, EP (extreme pressure) additives for things like gears, usually have a much higher anti-foam additive package and so on. Using a UTF type oil as hydraulic oil is fine, using a hydraulic oil where a UTF type oil should be used isn't.

I wouldnt worry about using hytran or hygard oil. Very popular to do. They're running the same type of devices and more

God to know. I see some other skid steer owners use the tractor fluid as well without problems.

My dad uses standard Havoline 10w30 in his chevy 1500 z71. 700,000 miles on same engine. 5.3 liter. No engine work. Replaced trans 4 time, several alternators, most all bolt on components have been replaced. But the engine has never been opened. I use it in my case skid steers and I have not had to replace a pump yet...

All I can say is the JCB Skid-steer we had at the quarry used 15W-40 oil in everything, engine, hydraulics and chain boxes.

Of all the problems we had while with that machine while I worked there none of the problems were in places that oil touched! Well except broken roller chains but can't think a snapped chain link was caused by lack of proper lubricant.

Tractor hydraulic fluid isn't a lot different at all from automatic transmission fluid you use for your car. It came into being for hydraulic systems when operating pressures got in the 4,000 PSI ranges and heat became a very big problem. As far as any difference goes though, why would it matter. Just run what the manufacture specifies. The API ratings on oil are supposed to be backward compatible. That's why you can run today's oil in a 57 Chevy.

CNH calls for 10-30 motor oil in the hyds. Beeb that way for a long time. When I need it, I buy what is convenient. Never had an issue.

John C. said:

Tractor hydraulic fluid isn't a lot different at all from automatic transmission fluid you use for your car. It came into being for hydraulic systems when operating pressures got in the 4,000 PSI ranges and heat became a very big problem. As far as any difference goes though, why would it matter. Just run what the manufacture specifies. The API ratings on oil are supposed to be backward compatible. That's why you can run today's oil in a 57 Chevy.

Click to expand...

Backwards compatible for engines or hydraulics? I thought with new emissions and such motor oil may have different additives that may not be the best for hydraulic/hydrostat systems. For awhile they didn't recommend certain oil classifications for skid steers. Doesn't seem to be a consensus anywhere on what to use.

Here's something interesting I found on pg. 12 of a Cat machine fluid recommendations manual . Industrial hydraulic oils are not recommended for use as service fill in Caterpillar machine hydraulic systems.

http://oa.upm.es/14340/2/Documentac...r/Caterpillar Fluid Recommendations Guide.pdf

Demo company i used to work at had a fleet of bobcat brand skidsteers , we put 15w40 in everything on those not sure what type of skid steer yours is the cat skidsteers were i work now get 10w hyd/to4 oil , our few john deere dozers that specify engine oil for the hydrastat drive side get the same10w we dont seem to have any problems except for there old and leak alot lol

Welder Dave, you know you are making the biggest deal out of nothing. Seems to be a thing with you.

I've had my fill of trying to help you.

Just a warning about "303 universal tractor oil or 303 THF" (THF = tractor hydraulic fluid) It's not the oil is bad... The problem is there is NO specification for it. The testing machine is an engine that's no longer available. I could P**s in a bucket and call it 303 THF. You don't know what you're getting.

see here >> https://pqia.org/2017/11/20/missouri-orders-303-tractor-hydraulic-fluids-out-of-the-state/

John C. said:

Welder Dave, you know you are making the biggest deal out of nothing. Seems to be a thing with you.

I've had my fill of trying to help you.

Click to expand...

What exactly does "supposed to be" mean? Something to back up that SN oil would replace SE oil used in hydrostatic transmission would go a lot further than supposed to be. Perhaps you can explain why Bobcat who also specified 10W-30 oil for years stopped recommending it after 2006? Maybe something to do with the new additives? Also most AG tractors aren't running 4000 PSI hydraulics and tractor fluid has been around for over 50 years. I didn't get on your case when you didn't know a Komatsu D66S track loader was hydrostatic and you're an equipment appraiser.

as of 2006 bobcat no longer recommends engine oil in the hyd/hydrostatic system.

engine oil formulas have drastically changed over the years, as have some hyd oil formulas


BobcatofDuluth
www.bobcatofduluth.com
Joined: 21 Jan 2010
Total Posts: 24

Re: Mixing 10w30 and Hydraulic fluid
Posted: 01/21/2010 07:10 AM
Hey folks! =) I came across this thread and thought I'd share the official word from Bobcat on this question. We get asked about this quite frequently at the dealership I work for (due to the fact that Bobcat used to ok this in their manuals). I just wanted everyone to be aware that this is no longer suggested or recommended. If you check a revised or current operation or service manual, the part about using 10W30 has been omitted. Here's the official release from Bobcat Company: "Bobcat Hydraulic/Hydrostatic Fluid is specially blended for use with Bobcat hydraulic and hydrostatic systems. Bobcat Fluid has been developed to meet the growing demands placed on hydraulic components, while engine oil is designed to meet requirements for use as an engine lubricant. Because of this, engine oil is no longer an acceptable alternative fluid for Bobcat hydraulic and hydrostatic systems. Viscosity. Engine oil viscosity is typically much higher than the acceptable limit of hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic fluid is designed for high pressure applications and with viscosity to operate effectively throughout a wide temperature range. Additives. Bobcat Fluid contains more zinc and phosphorus anti-wear additives than other brands of hydraulic fluid. Zinc and phosphorus adhere to metal surfaces of hydraulic components and act as a coating to separate moving parts. Additives in engine oils do not have the same anti-wear properties. Demulsibility. Under operating conditions hydraulic fluid is designed to separate water, engine oils typically absorb water. Foaming. Most engine oil is not formulated to prevent foaming. Foam is a contaminate that lowers performance, decreases filtration and can cause premature hydraulic component failure."

That sounds like bobcat's way of saying "we figured out we can make more money if we make you buy our oil."