Utf

PipeGuy

Do any of you use universal tractor fluid for hydraulic oil? It used to be common practice but oils have gotten 'fancy' over the years and now it's hard to keep'em all straight.

denick

Pipeguy,

Universal tractor fluid seems to be a name designation for an oil formulated to meet a specification that is used by many manufacturers. It can be used in hydraulic systems, steering gear, transmissions, clutches final drives and more. Gulf, Lubriplate, Tractran and others use in in their product name. Even the synthetic brand Terresolve uses it in their name. Other brands can use 6 other names, All tractor fluid, Universal Tractor Hydraulic, etc. If its from a quality company it doesn't seem to matter.

We have used some of these brands in the past. Right now we are using the manufacturers recommended oil in each machine.

Nick

PipeGuy

Are you doing oil sampling/analysis at regular intervals?

denick

No,

We have never had a lubricant specific related failure. (sshhh)
We do not put alot of hours per year on our machines. We change oils and filters probably more than we need to. We buy used machines.

One or all above is the reason we don't.

Nick

rino1494

Actually, we have a old Case 450 dozer from the 60's that we just stripped down and repainted (I'll post pics pretty soon) and we use universal tractor fluid for the hydraulic system. There is about 25,000 hrs on it and one of the lift cylinder rods is bent and leaks oil pretty good. We've re-packed quite a few times, but no use replacing the rod.

For out newer equipment, we use tractor specific fluid and we have a couple of older pieces that tend to leak and we use cheaper fluids.

We never do oil samples, but is prolly a good idea. Not sure how much it cost. We changle all fluids and filters at 250hrs except hyd oil and coolant.

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PipeGuy

We don't either. I haven't quite come to terms with what I'd do with the knowledge if I had it. You can spend a lot of money hunting the symptoms of a questionable oil samples that may or may not be indicative of a real problem. I suppose the flip side is that you could isolate and catch a problem before it causes collateral damage.

denick

I 've always thought the magnetic drain plug was my oil sampler.

rino1494

Cat did do oil samples on our 35 ton artic truck b/c we were gonna trade it in on a new D5. They did find some bearing material in the motor oil. We had blown a HG, so the coolant wore out the bearings. We knew that already, but they just confirmed it.

__________________
Life is hard. It is harder when you are stupid

Uncle Sam wants YOU....to speak ENGLISH