Hydraulic fluid change- ISO VG #46

Kevin Cohrs · May 12, 2020

Would like to do a hydraulic fluid-filter change on my Volvo EC460B machine. Seen a label on the oil tank which says ISO VG #46. Does it have to be anything more specific than just those standard specs? Found where I can order it in bulk for a fairly reasonable price if its the correct fluid I need.
https://buysinopec.com/collections/...ar-hydraulic-oil-fluid?variant=31274813161570

tlema · May 12, 2020

Here is a cheaper one.....https://ebay.to/2LiMOnR

skata · May 12, 2020

tlema said:
Here is a cheaper one.....https://ebay.to/2LiMOnR

That's actually way higher.
55 gallon drum vs 275 gallon tote. They sell drums too for 299.

Kevin Cohrs · May 12, 2020

Looks like I need a high viscosity oil. Machine specs call for a viscosity index of 160 or higher. Believe the standard ISO 46 is rated close to 100. Not sure if it would really matter much...

Se.la · May 12, 2020

Kevin Cohrs · May 12, 2020

Yeah looks like High Viscosity is correct

skata · May 13, 2020

That's where it gets harder, to find fluids with a higher viscosity index. Which means it will perform better in colder weather.
I had hard time finding fluid for a genie lift. Ended up using dexron/mercon fluid, which is actully hydraulic fluid but red. And has a high viscosity index.

Kevin Cohrs · May 13, 2020

So if you were to use a more standard hydraulic oil with a viscosity index of around 100, it basically would not perform well in extreme cold or heat? A 160 number or above must stay more consistent.

Nige · May 13, 2020

Amazing what a few minutes searching on the internet can do - Try the Texaco/Chevron Rando HD LVZ range of oils.
Specifically marketed as meeting VCE 1286.08 and 1286.0. and has passed both Volvo 2,000 and 5,000 hour Excavator Field Tests.

Data sheet attached - https://cglapps.chevron.com/sdspds/PDSDetailPage.aspx?docDataId=322447&docFormat=PDF

Ct Farmer · May 13, 2020

Nige said:
Amazing what a few minutes searching on the internet can do - Try the Texaco/Chevron Rando HD LVZ range of oils.
Specifically marketed as meeting VCE 1286.08 and 1286.0. and has passed both Volvo 2,000 and 5,000 hour Excavator Field Tests.

Data sheet attached - https://cglapps.chevron.com/sdspds/PDSDetailPage.aspx?docDataId=322447&docFormat=PDF

Rando HD is very good oil. Pretty much all we run. Not inexpensive at $650 a barrel last time we got a few but then replacing pumps isn’t cheap either. With oil sampling and use of a filter cart it lasts way beyond the recommended change interval. In the long run we figure using top of the line oil saves money.

Nige · May 13, 2020

Using the best quality oil & filters on a machine is the best insurance policy you can ever buy.

Ben Witter · May 13, 2020

When figuring that lube and filter costs are only 2-4% of the operating costs of a machine they are not the place to cut costs.

Mobil DTE10 will fit the application as well.

Nige · May 13, 2020

I posted the details of the Texaco/Chevron product simply because it was the first one I came across.
At the time I was reasonably sure all the major lubricant companies would make something similar, I just couldn't be bothered to look any further.

The interesting thing to come out of this is apparently the oils that meet the Volvo "High VI" requirement are all ashless (zinc-free). So it appears that we can now add Volvo to the list of manufacturers that require ashless hydraulic oil in their excavator product line. Up to now Hitachi was pretty much the only name on that list.

skata · May 13, 2020

And what would happen if you used fluid with zinc?

Nige · May 13, 2020

I'm not saying a hydraulic oil with a zinc-based wear package can't be used. However it does not appear that a mineral oil with a zinc-based anti-wear package will meet Volvo's 160 Viscosity Index requirement, because they typically have a VI somewhere around 100. Therefore oils with a zinc-based anti-wear package do not meet the Volvo specification and by the letter of the law should not be used. On a machine with dealer support not using an oil that met Volvo's requirements would be a key factor, on an older machine possibly not so much.

What I am saying is that all the hydraulic oils meeting the Volvo requirement that have come out of the woodwork as a result of the OP's question are without exception zinc-free and synthetic, therefore IMHO it seems fair to assume that Volvo's specifications VCE 1286.08 and 1286.09 were written around ashlless synthetic oils.

Tenwheeler · May 13, 2020

Nige said:
I posted the details of the Texaco/Chevron product simply because it was the first one I came across.
At the time I was reasonably sure all the major lubricant companies would make something similar, I just couldn't be bothered to look any further.

The interesting thing to come out of this is apparently the oils that meet the Volvo "High VI" requirement are all ashless (zinc-free). So it appears that we can now add Volvo to the list of manufacturers that require ashless hydraulic oil in their excavator product line. Up to now Hitachi was pretty much the only name on that list.

Add the JD mini X to that.

Nige · May 13, 2020

I'd heard about some of the JD excavator product line requiring ashless hydraulic oil, and TBH it's not surprising with them being in bed with Hitachi. However it was all anecdotal information up until you posted.

mg2361 · May 14, 2020

Nige said:
I'd heard about some of the JD excavator product line requiring ashless hydraulic oil

"All" Deere excavators (since the metric designation) specify zinc free oil (Hitachi Super EX-46HN).

Hydraulic fluid change- ISO VG #46

Kevin Cohrs

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tlema

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skata

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Kevin Cohrs

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Se.la

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Kevin Cohrs

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skata

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Kevin Cohrs

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Nige

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Ct Farmer

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Nige

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