Alternatives to hydraulic jack oil???

[WesternReach]

Hi
Any alternatives to hydraulic jack oil for use on automotive floor jacks? ( 10w40 motor oil, transmission fluid, 80w90 gear oil, etc) or must it be hydraulic jack oil only?
Thanks in advance

 

[frankbee3]

Hi
Any alternatives to hydraulic jack oil for use on automotive floor jacks? ( 10w40 motor oil, transmission fluid, 80w90 gear oil, etc) or must it be hydraulic jack oil only?
Thanks in advance

I have been wondering about this myself. I have a leaky Jack that need topping off on occasion. I was thinking of getting hydraulic fluid at tractor supply
If I could some compatible with my BX series Kubota, I would buy a 5 gallon bucket of the fluid and use it to top off the Jack too.

 

[ripcord]

Jack oil is hydraulic fluid. Maybe some brands of jack oil have a bit of extra seal conditioners, but I bet most do not not. ISO32 hydraulic fluid should work just about universally. Well, maybe not at the South Pole, but pretty much everywhere else.

 

[WesternReach]

I have a lot of 10w40 and 10w30 as well as 80w90 gear oil. Was just hoping I could use it to get by. My floor jacks leak a little too.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

Maybe try this if you don’t want to use jack oil… You can get a quart of jack oil at Autozone.

Stop leak

Just my $0.02.

 

[ripcord]

You could use 10w-30 in a pinch, but it would probably be pretty sluggish in cold weather. Automatic transmission fluid of any flavor would be another option. It's usually a thinner than 10w-xx motor oils.

 

[MolaKule]

Hi
Any alternatives to hydraulic jack oil for use on automotive floor jacks? ( 10w40 motor oil, transmission fluid, 80w90 gear oil, etc) or must it be hydraulic jack oil only?
Thanks in advance

Any LV ATF such as Dexron VI will work in cold weather.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I don't think they're picky at all

 

[Propflux01]

ATF works fine.

 

[WesternReach]

Thanks all for the replies.. Would atf harm the seals?

 

[ripcord]

Highly unlikely as transmissions are full of various types seals.

 

[Jetronic]

I don't think they're picky at all

they might not come down under their own weight with a thicker oil in it, I believe most use ISO32.

 

[hrv]

Hi
Any alternatives to hydraulic jack oil for use on automotive floor jacks? ( 10w40 motor oil, transmission fluid, 80w90 gear oil, etc) or must it be hydraulic jack oil only?
Thanks in advance

WHY????? Its not like you change it all the time.....

 

[Lubener]

Thanks all for the replies.. Would atf harm the seals?

Transmissions are full of seals. For a few bucks, you can get a quart of jack oil and be done with it.

 

[D60]

2-post lifts use Dex/Merc. So I think it would work in a floor jack if needed.

I just use the generic tractor hydraulic fluid in my '05 Kubota HST. There's some debate as to whether it technically meets spec (threads here on BITOG) but I just hate being held hostage to my Kubota dealer and was willing to risk it. No regrets yet -- it's been maybe 4 years

 

[BrainThicknessVariation]

Hi
Any alternatives to hydraulic jack oil for use on automotive floor jacks? ( 10w40 motor oil, transmission fluid, 80w90 gear oil, etc) or must it be hydraulic jack oil only?
Thanks in advance

As others have said, some ATF. I have a Quick Jack that specifically calls for it.

 

[WesternReach]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

 

[Auae1985]

DOT 3 brake fluid also works.

 

[MolaKule]

DOT 3 brake fluid also works.

Do NOT use brake fluid.

 

[WesternReach]

Ok then I won’t, but so far ATF is ok?