Hydraulic oil science. Base oils & Additives.

[jimkasianides]

awesome video neil, i work for a chemical company in north east Ohio and we actually produce a certain oil for a certain tractor company, and theres a lot that goes into making hydraulic oil, people don't realize but its definitely cool to know what the oil is for and what it goes into. definitely gives me a self pride knowing i m helping provide that company with an oil that moves their machines.

[mxadema]

It is always nice to have a deep dive into a subject. I never did the hydraulic fluid but I did the coolant, and what a rabbit hole that was.

[whatnotzone]

I always look at it this way. Good quality oil is cheap compared to replacing components and pumps. Anything internally lubricated is insanely expensive to replace or rebuild whether it's a vehicle, tractor, or lawnmower.

[richardpoe]

Well done Neil! You really did your homework.

[karlbrundage]

The first (and only) new vehicle I ever owned got 100% synthetic oil on its first servicing. 200K miles later, it has better emissions (0s across the board) than new vehicles.

Yes, I pay more at every oil-change, which only happen every 9k miles on average, but my vehicle is running better now than when it was new.

Take care of your equipment and it will take care of

[TheGunner]

Excellent video on a rarely explained topic. Thank you!

[tedbastwock]

Very helpful, thanks for this. I had been wondering why I cant find specs on hydraulic fluid. This was very enlightening. You are the best, keep it up.

[hdbikerdave]

Very good information Neal. Thanks for sharing. Well done!

[superdupergrover]

I work at an auto parts store, and every couple of months I have a customer asking for "universal tractor oil". One time, having been asked that, I paused for a moment, thinking about how many ways it doesn't work like that, and reply "there's no such thing as 'universal' anything". Customer insisted he wanted "universal tractor" oil or fluid, whatever. Customer didn't leave happy.
We do sell some hydraulic oils, but if it's not AW32, AW46 or calling for Dexron III, all we can do is ask you for the spec and look at the back of the label.

[SlackerU]

Nice, I've noticed mine has some rust-staining. I also didn't really have an issue with replacing the hydraulic filter at 200 hours, the BX uses just under 5 gallons so there is more than an oil-filter-full of fluid to top off the machine.

I'm about to be at the 6-years-old mark so basically everything rubber on the machine needs replacing to avoid breakdowns in the next 800-1000 hours. Even my tires are chipping rubber now, just chemistry that comes with age.

[lonniechartrand]

Neil, since you are talking about hydraulic oils AND additives, maybe you can address an issue that is common within the social media "tractor" groups, and that is related to HYDRAULIC OIL DYE!
One universal comment heard all over the world is "I cannot see the hydraulic fluid level on either the dipstick OR the sight glass window. What can I do?"
I have questioned several Kubota dealers, AND have even written to Kubota Corporate's technical service department and asked about the use of hydraulic dyes and it's affect on the equipment WARRANTY! I get multiple answers, none of them being definitive!
In every instance the answer ends with the caveat that "the use of a hydraulic dye MIGHT void a warranty if the use of that product proves to be the cause of a failure thus voiding said warranty".
In other words, they will leave a "loophole" that would allow them to void a warranty.
My question is WHO PROVES THAT THE OIL WAS THE CAUSE OF A FAILURE?
These type of answers is what is keeping me from using a dye within my oils.
Why don't the different tractor manufacturers make their brand of oil VISIBLE???

[NHHalKnowsHow]

Great video, Neil. I have a B2920 and only use Kubota HST oil. I was told Royal Purple should work but why take the chance. I bought a tractor that will last me for years, why cheap out on the oil.

[xylothan]

What kind of junk is in the junk drum next to the bulk fill system?

[SlackerU]

I think the UDT2 is thinner when warm, than the regular UDT. IDK if I prefer that but I'm not against it b/c a single 5 gallon bucket will last 400 hours for a BX.

[xcgates]

Blew my mind when I got my tractor there wasn’t the same kind of standardization in hydraulic oil as with engine oil

[tankiadam]

My zero turn lawn mower uses 20w - 50 motor oil for the hydraulics, and it pacifically states motor oil

[ThatGuy]

I had a 2.5 gallon jug of Deere oil separate. The jug was unopened, but 4 years old. There was a thick white sludge on the bottom and very runny oil on the top. This oil is what Deere called for to fill the chain case in their skidsteers. Any idea why it separated ?

[ljprep]

I see $19.90 2gal jug of Traveller ISO46 hyd oil locally (TS) which meets standards for about 8 companies. It is half the price of Delvac or Ultra1Plus (Who thinks up these names, anyway?). Any caveats or kudos for it? I need it for my air/hyd pump for the Porta Powers.
Should I even worry about the brand or price for low-speed/indoor storage use? Thanks for any help.
P.S: Can regular hyd oil be used in vacuum pumps and air compressor pumps?

[RippleBoobs]

is true i can replace hydraulic oil whit engine oil ? someone said it will be better because hydraulic oil is not good quality oil

[cujo]

So do you have manufactured cross reference to guide people with purchasing hydraulic oil for their tractors.
For example, I have an LS XJ2025H from 2018 and was wondering what hydraulic oil I should use?