Need advice on substitute for Chevron 1000 THF

Joined
Jun 22, 2020
Messages
1
Location
VA
My Mahindra 7520 specs Chevron 1000 THF for the transmission/hydraulic fluid. It's very hard for me to get in my area and I would like to use something more readily available, preferably something I can order online. (The NAPA website says they carry Chevron THF but when you try to check out, they don't.)

This fluid lubricates the transmission, wet brakes, wet clutch, and acts as the hydraulic oil. I called Mahindra and asked what else I could use, but it's a call center with people reading manuals, and they said what is specified are the only options.

I found this website that lists equivalent fluids:
https://petroleumservicecompany.com/chevron-1000-tractor-hydraulic-fluid/

According to them, there are many options that are "equivalent." From Sunoco TH fluid which is only $41 for 5 gallons to Phillips 66, Kendall, Mobil, BlueSky (at $153 per 5 gallons). The main thing is I don't want to put in some other oil and regret it, because it starts screwing up O-rings, or making my brakes or clutch slip, etc. Checking the specs of Sunoco TH vs the Chevron THF they are quite similar in their described usage, viscosity, and pour point. The flash point is close, but lower, Sunoco at 200C while Chevron is 235C. Here are links to these specs:

https://cglapps.chevron.com/msdspds/PDSDetailPage.aspx?docDataId=77320&docFormat=PDF
https://petroleumservicecompany.com/content/pdfs/Sunoco-TH-Fluid-J20C-PDS.pdf

So what's the reality here? Mahindra tractors are sold all over the world, and surely they aren't all using Chevron 1000 THF. My gut tells me that I can substitute this Sunoco TH without any problems, but I don't want to do it and then regret it.

Thanks!
Jon
 
Look for the J20C & J20D John Deere spec.

Chevron Synthetic all weather THF is one example.

Your John Deere dealership can look after you with their own branded products.
 
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I'd go with some John Deere Hy-gard or Mobil Mobilfluid 424. I have personal experience with mixing 1000 THF and John Deere Hy-gard (J20C) with absolutely no issues. I use THF 1000 in our Massey tractors and John Deere Hy-gard in our JD tractors. I try to stay with one or the other, but have no reservations about mixing them if need be. I just bought a 5 gallon bucket of Chevron 1000 THF, it was $59.50 + tax locally at a local Chevron distributor. I think the last 5 gallon bucket of Hy-gard I bought at a JD dealer was about $70.


I am using 1000 THF in an ATV that calls for Mobilfluid 424. The 1000 THF has been in there for over 4 years with no issues.

https://crossimplement.com/file/156/John Deere Oil Guide 2019.pdf

https://www.shopgreendealer.com/Joh...draulic-Oil-5-Gallon-Bucket-AR69444.html


https://www.mobil.com/en-us/commercial-vehicle-lube/pds/gl-xx-mobilfluid-424

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...dU69a2QF9oguYA9auBQw-usTps0aAoHDEALw_wcB
 
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Originally Posted by userfriendly
Look for the J20C & J20D John Deere spec.

Chevron Synthetic all weather THF is one example.


J20C = Yes

J20D = NO!!!!! That's low-viscosity

I think any AW46 equivalent should be adequate.
 
Mahindra 7520. Cool tractor.

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Hi LeeVing,

I tried the NAPA page for Chevron THF 1000 and it worked for me. Maybe give your local store a phone call and they might be able to order it. Sometimes computers have glitches. Also check and see if there are any distributors in your area.

I'm somewhat picky about tractor fluids. TractorByNet forum has quite a few discussions about Mahindras and Chevron THF 1000. Some members claim that their Mahindra manuals show alternatives to Chevron THF 1000. This seems to be run of the mill conventional fluid, so I think your hunch about the equivalent fluids you researched is correct. Any fluid that meets the John Deere J20C or Kubota UTD spec. should be fine. If you were needing a synthetic all weather low viscosity fluid for a hydrostatic tranny I would tend to be more careful.

Good luck with your decision. I've had, and heard of problems when using the wrong fluid, so it is good to be detail oriented about these decisions.

https://www.google.com/search?q=chevron+1000+thf+equivalent+site:www.tractorbynet.com
 
Napa has their own premium universal tractor hydraulic fluid that is J20C rated.
 
Delvac Tractor Hydraulic Fluid = Mobil 424
Shell Rotella HD = Shell Sprirax
John Deere Regular Hygard not LV
Kubots UDT or SUDT

All good stuff and will work in your application lots of others as well but these are the one I have experience with.
 
We have multiple makes here but several Deeres. All I will let near them is Hygard. Never had an oil related failure on anything. Good friend runs only JD and has rebuilt the transmission in his 6200 twice. The second time independent testing discovered that an additive in the cheaper fluid he was using was degrading the adhesive on the friction plates and causing the friction material to shed off. He finally switched to Hygard and has been problem free.
 
Any of the large manufacturers THF should be fine, or a tractor brand rebranded oil(kubota JD, etc..) Don't get the cheap stuff at the TSC store. I had Chevron 1000THF in my tractor, then shell spirax, but I've now switched to Petro canada duratran as it matched the best THF's in high temp high shear testing while having better performance in the cold starts. The Chevron 1000THF is a great summer oil but it thickens up too much for winter starts up here.
 
I had the same issue with my M85p (just about the exact same tractor as yours). I found the Shell Rotella HD fluid made my hydraulic system MUCH more quiet and much faster/snappier with the loader. The Rotella HD even states on the bucket it meets the Mahindra spec.
 
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