JLG Manlift hydraulic oil

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Sep 23, 2024
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Good evening all, today I had a hydraulic line blow on my jlg400s manlift which drained a substantial amount of oil out of the reservoir. On the tank itself it calls for mobil 424 I figured I might as well drain everything and get new since it has 1000s of hours on it but I can’t find 424 locally. Tsc has vpj20a plus and store brand tractor fluid. From research on here Mobil delvac is the same as 424 but don’t see any mention of the vp. Any chance it would play well with my machine or just order and wait for 424?
 
The J20A spec. (vpj20a plus) is an older specification that was superceded by John Deere J20C. Both Mobil 424 and Delvac THF labels state that they meet/exceed the J20C spec.. I didn't study the characteristics of the old J20A vs. the current fluids (viscosity, additives, etc.) If I were choosing a fluid, I would avoid the older specification vpj20a. Just my opinion.
 
The J20A spec. (vpj20a plus) is an older specification that was superceded by John Deere J20C. Both Mobil 424 and Delvac THF labels state that they meet/exceed the J20C spec.. I didn't study the characteristics of the old J20A vs. the current fluids (viscosity, additives, etc.) If I were choosing a fluid, I would avoid the older specification vpj20a. Just my opinion.
Thanks for the quick reply. Good to know because I know nothing about hydraulic oil. Any chance you know of anything that would replace 424 that I could possibly find on the shelve? I did read on here maybe Deere hy guard as a replacement? I would rather drive and get anything that wait for an order if you know what I mean.
 
J20C is John Deere Hygard "regular" viscosity. J20D is Hygard low viscosity.

Interpolating all of these "equivalents": Mobil 424 and Delvac THF both meet/exceed J20C (Hygard). It "seems" that any fluid out there that meets the J20C specification should be a good replacement for either Mobil 424/Delvac.

For instance, the Tractor Supply Universal Tractor Fluid states that it meets J20C: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...MIttaz2dXbiAMV8U7_AR0HMCCBEAQYASABEgJ2vPD_BwE


Having said the above, I get nervous doing multiple cross referencing of products: Mobil424/Delvac = J20C = Tractor Supply UTF. Sometimes mistakes happen when you multiple cross reference. I.E., oil filters. Some people (me) ponder if the off brand products are lower quality - worth saving $100 on $30,000+ equipment?
 
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my local Napa was able to find a 55gal drum of Mobil delvac tractor fluid but no 424. Am I correct thinking the delvac is a replacement? I agree that I don’t want to chance using the wrong fluid just to save a buck. Sorry the j20a/c/d designation are like Chinese too me.
 
FWIW you can purchase Mobilfluid 424 on Amazon if you wish.

Here are a few previous threads on this topic, one of them may be useful:

 
Local guy has one parked by the roadside with a "rent me" sign one it. So I rented it from him for 3 days, it had a leak by one of the wheels, it leaked as much hydraulic fluid as it burned in diesel fuel, I put 303 in it and it operated fine, I used 5 gallons in 3 days.
 
Local guy has one parked by the roadside with a "rent me" sign one it. So I rented it from him for 3 days, it had a leak by one of the wheels, it leaked as much hydraulic fluid as it burned in diesel fuel, I put 303 in it and it operated fine, I used 5 gallons in 3 days.
I ended up just ordering the drum of delvac should be here tomorrow. I specifically won’t rent my lift just because people don’t care because it’s not theirs. Sounds like the one you rented was treated poorly before.
 
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