Anybody run Amsoil ATH AMSOIL 5W-30 Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission Oil

[oilboy123]

I put this in Tuff Torque K66AG trans on my riding mower. Anybody use it? I have run my mower one time with it. I'm hoping to set a time frame to change it out. Maybe every other year, depending on how it looks. I replaced the Tuff Torq OE fluid with the Amsoil at 63 hours. I have fairly hilly areas on my lawn, and tow a trailer around with it. I also have a triple bagger, that when full is pretty heavy.

So it works fairly hard at times.

 

[oilboy123]

Well all righty then........... I'll be trying to baseline a change interval on the ATH.

I think I'll change it after 2 seasons. 100hrs ish of use, depending on how hard it is to change it this second time. This last fluid change out I pulled the body/seat/steering console to change the fluid. It was a day at the beach......... The next time I will be dropping it from the bottom, now that I was able to see everything from the top. Somebody online had a tutorial on pulling the body apart. So I decided to follow that with no experience having done it. But I think the bottom gear drop from underneath will be a lot less work.

Tuff Torq Rec:
For commercial or heavy usage applications and for Tuff Torq Transaxles supplied with drain bolts and/or serviceable filters, the Techs in the Tuff Torq Service Department recommend that the Oil be changed after Initial break-in period of the 1st 50 hours of operation. The Techs also recommend the Oil be changed every 250 hours of Normal Use, thereafter. You may want to lower this oil change threshold if you are using your tractor or Zero Turn in extreme conditions that will put an extraordinary strain on the installed oil. Prolonged use during high temperatures, steep grades, or towing implements are all examples of the extreme conditions that may require a lower oil change threshold.

 

[Dutchy491]

Amsoil ATH is a Very good oil. I’m running it in my Kioti CK30HST since the first change and now have 650 hours on the oil. I did change both filters at 450 hours and topped off the oil. Plan to run to 1000 and then full change unless I do a UOA first. I’m in Ontario Canada and the hydraulics work almost like it’s mid summer in -25C temps when I blow snow. Transmission runs quiet wether Hot/Cold temperatures. Also just installed it in my new JD X390 at 65 hours.

 

[oilboy123]

Great to hear Dutchy491. What trans in the JD X390? The Kioti looks like some serious tractor.

Yes I'm hoping for a more stable fluid in temp extremes. I'll probably do another change out on mine at about 100hrs again, since I have the ATH. Maybe even do an analysis. Then I will probably go longer runs after that. The case on the K66 has to be opened up to change the filter in mine. Joy.......

I find it interesting that Tuff Torq shows the Tuff Torq fluid is used in a lot of the trans they make. But the they also say you can use regular motor oil 10w-30 on 1 unit, and then 5w-50 motor oil on another. Even when they both are speced to run the same wt Tuff Torq fluid?
Amsoil told me they rec the ATH. I'm on my 2nd mow with it.

 

[Dutchy491]

The JD X390 has the Tuff Torque K58 and is fully serviceable with a replaceable filter. It also uses the same hydraulic system to provide power steering and to lift/lower the deck. I used the same ATH for a 1997 Troybilt 16hp Lawn tractor. That transmission wasn’t meant to be serviced ever, but I changed the oil twice in it. It was a blown crank seal that was its eventual demise.

 

[oilboy123]

Do you have a spin on filter on the K58? I was told I can't hook in an external filter on my K66. So having a fluid that keeps the wear/particles down will keep me from cracking the case open very often for filter change out. I wish I had power steering..........

So you have been running the ATH for some time. I feel way better with the Amsoil vs the Tuff Torq fluid. I feel the K66 will have better longvity. I'll be 64 this year, so I want this mower to last until I can't get on it anymore......

I appreciate the feedback

 

[Dutchy491]

Currently only have about 30 hours on the ATH in the X390, but it seems to work good. I was surprised how hot the axle case feels after mowing for just over an hour and wonder why a heavier oil isn’t required. Glad I’ve installed a quality synthetic to help it last…

 

[oilboy123]

I was a little apprehensive to use the Amsoil ATH 5w-30 because the Tuff Torq chart below says to use a 50wt. But notice how the K58, and the K66 show the same Tuff Torq fluid? Weird how they show different weight aftermarket oil.......

K58 TUFF TECH Oil 187Q0899000 10w30 Oil* 2.40-2.60

K66A,B,C,D,K, M,R,S,V,Y,AA, AC,AD,AG,AL, AP,AQ,DX,SD * TUFF TECH Oil 187Q0899000 5w50 Synthetic Oil* 2.5

Funny you should mention case temps. I need to do a temp shoot on mine after hard use.

 

[FowVay]

I have a K61 Tuff Torq in my John Deere LX178 and it has 30+ years of hard, dirty use on it and still functions perfectly. It has had irregular fluid changes over the years and with the little reservoir that John Deere installs on their products, it has a slightly higher oil quantity than what Tuff Torq lists.

The Tuff Torq fluid recommended, P/N 187Q0899000, has a viscosity at 40ºC of 60 cst. This indicates it to be very close to a ISO 68 fluid. John Deere recommends the use of their Hy-Gard fluid that meets specification J20C which is a slightly lower viscosity (but still falls within the ISO 46-68 grades. Because the fluid recommendations from both highly reputable companies varies by what we consider a large amount on the viscosity scale, I feel that the actual grade isn't all that critical as long as it falls within the ISO 46-68 range. I do notice a ZDDP additive component on the aftermarket hydraulic fluids and the John Deere J20C specification but Tuff Torq doesn't list it on their offering.

So, my K61 has lived on the first fill fluid (unknown viscosity grade), SAE 5W-50 and SAE 10W-30 motor oil and hasn't died yet. My oil change today will be with John Deere Hy-Gard TY6354 simply because it's the same price as the universal fluids sold at WalMart and Tractor Supply, and it's what is recommended by JD. The Tuff Torq fluid might be a slightly more viscous fluid but at double the price I simply don't see the value. The JD J20C Hy-Gard fluid is a 10W-30 fluid (barely with a 100ºC cst of 9.6) but I trust the recommendation.

 

[oilboy123]

Yes the Tuff Torq chart showing a 50wt had me a little conserned about using a 5w-30 Amsoil trans fluid. But like you say the trans must be forgiving of viscosity. Otherwise they would not show the Tuff Torq being used in transmissions that they also say you can sub a 30, or 50 trans fluid. I trust Amsoil, it has held up in every application I've used it in.

The Amsoil ATH
100C 10.1
40C 55.4
Viscosity index 171

Thanks FowVay