- Joined
- Mar 23, 2025
- Messages
- 4
UOAs from hydraulics on 2021 Deere 333G high flow (~9 gal capacity). Factory fill Hydrau XR AW46 (I believe a full synthetic). In the first few months I owned it, 3-4 fittings came loose and a few hoses had to be replaced (gotta love Covid-era quality control), ended up having to add around 5 gallons in the first 100 hours (the first 2 were UTF/THF). In my area the summers push the temp limits on the XR and the local dealer said the Hydrau AW68 (I believe a synthetic blend) is recommended. I noticed the system was starting to whine, controls were occasionally responding strangely after a few hours in 90°+ temps.
Because of all of this, I dedcided to make the switch to Hydrau (I believe it’s a synthetic blend AW68) at 606 hours. Filters were clean, UOA at the change is below. Machine seemed to like the Hydrau better, no issues at high temps and no major complaints from the machine between 20°-40° this winter. UOA after 153 hours below.
Total iron and copper per 100 hours on the Hydrau XR were 4.13; same metric with the Hydrau were 14.4. It’s possible that some of the wear metals were a result of a new high flow attachment (brand new 84” brush mower purchased late last year), but that was probably used less than 5 hours.
Considering switching to another AW68 or a 10w-30 universal hydraulic fluid with a better add pack (so long as the system was flushed, I can’t see why using a premium tractor hydraulic fluid with better cold weather performance would cause an issue). Couldn’t find any other Deere skid steer UOAs or any helpful lubricant information so figured I’d post mine and see if anyone had any thoughts.
Because of all of this, I dedcided to make the switch to Hydrau (I believe it’s a synthetic blend AW68) at 606 hours. Filters were clean, UOA at the change is below. Machine seemed to like the Hydrau better, no issues at high temps and no major complaints from the machine between 20°-40° this winter. UOA after 153 hours below.
Total iron and copper per 100 hours on the Hydrau XR were 4.13; same metric with the Hydrau were 14.4. It’s possible that some of the wear metals were a result of a new high flow attachment (brand new 84” brush mower purchased late last year), but that was probably used less than 5 hours.
Considering switching to another AW68 or a 10w-30 universal hydraulic fluid with a better add pack (so long as the system was flushed, I can’t see why using a premium tractor hydraulic fluid with better cold weather performance would cause an issue). Couldn’t find any other Deere skid steer UOAs or any helpful lubricant information so figured I’d post mine and see if anyone had any thoughts.
