John Deere Gator tarnsmission fluid question

[oliver88]

JD specs their Hygard for use in the tran of the JD Gator...GL4 is required according to the manual...My thought is they spec this fluid just to make it easy since most farmers and owners will already have tractor fluid available. What would be wrong with using another GL4 like Redline MT90 or Amsoil MTG? The trans has no hydraulics involved with it.

 

[doitmyself]

oliver88

The Hygard is a hydraulic/transmission lube while the GL4 is a gear lube specification. Two different things. My workplace 4x2 Gator recommends the Hygard. I imagine that the MT90 and MTG are MUCH thicker viscosity.

FYI, when I started my current career some 35 years ago, we had one of these and it earned "my all time favorite".....I miss her:

 

[oliver88]

Always wanted a 550! Great tractors. We have an 88 and a 70, my grandpa bought both of then new back in the day.

I am thinking that would be the ticket though...it "feels" like this trans would benefit from a thicker GL4 fluid.