What Hydraulic fluid has SAE 20W20 viscosity???

[jahmes143]

We have numerous Eaton Model 6 transmissions in our ranch's hay irrigation system. They are only used in summer months. Eaton recommends a "premium hydraulic fluid having a viscosity equivalent to SAE 20W20" (see Link 1). In a Technical Bulletin (see Link 2), they advise the following viscosity requirements for SUS....minimum: 60, optimal: 80-180, maximum: 10,000.

Question: what the heck oil do I buy?

Link 1: http://www.associatedgroups.com/EATON-CAT/pdfs/11-04-880.pdf
Link 2: http://associatedgroups.com/EATON-CAT/pdfs/03-401.pdf

 

[Hirev]

I would think you want a ISO 46 hydraulic oil.

 

[userfriendly]

THFs, tractor hydraulic fluids that meet J20C are typically half way between a 46 and 68.

 

[greaseguy15]

This depends on what temperature the transmissions operate at. If they operate at a maximum of 70C then you’d probably want to go with an AW 46 type hydraulic oil. That would keep you above the “optimal” viscosity of 15 cSt.

If the operating temp is lower or higher you may want to look at switching up or down a viscosity grade. Cold mornings a lot because you’re in the high desert, probably a 32 is better. Never cold because you’re in Louisiana, I’d go with a 68.

Lots of stores should have 5 gallon buckets or handy gallon containers of a quality AW hydraulic oil to choose from.

 

[jahmes143]

Thanks guys, this is helpful. We can locally source Mag1 AW ISO 46. It specs are 6.95 cSt @ 100 C and 46.03 cSt @ 40 C. (I probably botched how to type that!). A lot of this is Greek to me.

Our mornings at cold startup are around 60 F, and not sure what the operating temp would be.

Just a rancher trying his best to keep less stuff from breaking down!

https://mag1.com/products/109/pds/

 

[userfriendly]

Thanks guys, this is helpful. We can locally source Mag1 AW ISO 46. It specs are 6.95 cSt @ 100 C and 46.03 cSt @ 40 C. (I probably botched how to type that!). A lot of this is Greek to me.

Our mornings at cold startup are around 60 F, and not sure what the operating temp would be.

Just a rancher trying his best to keep less stuff from breaking down!

https://mag1.com/products/109/pds/

THFs that meet John Deere J20C or a synthetic J20C & D blows that out of the water.

 

[jahmes143]

@userfriendly thanks for the tip, we will research. We are very remote so access to quality oils can be tough. Amazon doesn't always deliver. Is there a specific "readily available" THF oil you'd recommend that meets the 20W20 viscosity requirement?

 

[userfriendly]

@userfriendly thanks for the tip, we will research. We are very remote so access to quality oils can be tough. Amazon doesn't always deliver. Is there a specific "readily available" THF oil you'd recommend that meets the 20W20 viscosity requirement?

I don’t think it matters much. The last pail I bought was Castrol, the one before that was Shell and the one before that was Chevron.
What are Ohio soya bean counters and Nebraska corn huskers using in their irrigation pivots?

 

[jahmes143]

@userfriendly. The irrigation system our ranch has is circa 1990s wheel lines (aka side roll). Very antiquated compared to modern pivots, but it serves us well. I reviewed the specs of the Brands you mentioned, and even John Deere Hy-Gard itself, and I'm still somewhat confused. None of them quite meet the cSt required by my original post. For example, Hy-Gard is 9.4 & 59 cSt (my spec is 10 minimum, 16-39 optimum). I don't know how much of a fuss to make about it. Should I be looking at other oil types?

 

[userfriendly]

SAE 20 ends at 9.2 @ 100C and SAE 30 begins.
Hi-Gard is 59@40C and 9.4@100C, pretty much in the middle between an iso 46 and 68.
Eaton service bulletin 3-401 states that the factory fill is equivalent to a 20w20 engine oil.
Suggested replacement fluids are ATFs and UTTOs meeting E-fdgn-tb002-e. A UTTO is a universal tractor transmission oil suitable for hydraulic systems.
The optimum viscosity of 16-39 is the ISO grade @ 40C. ISO 32 ranges from 32 to 46.
THFs that meet J20D should fit the bill without trying to reinvent the wheel.
Petro-Canada’s Duratran syn blend is 40@40C and 8.45@100C. JDs winter grade Hi-gard J20D would be very close to that.
Talk to a service writer at any farm machinery/ implement or irrigation supply dealership and they will probably know exactly what you need.

 

[martinq]

@userfriendly. The irrigation system our ranch has is circa 1990s wheel lines (aka side roll). Very antiquated compared to modern pivots, but it serves us well. I reviewed the specs of the Brands you mentioned, and even John Deere Hy-Gard itself, and I'm still somewhat confused. None of them quite meet the cSt required by my original post. For example, Hy-Gard is 9.4 & 59 cSt (my spec is 10 minimum, 16-39 optimum). I don't know how much of a fuss to make about it. Should I be looking at other oil types?

The Eaton manual you posted the link to (thank you) states:
"The recommended maximum oil operating temperature is 82°C ..."

So, that being the case, Deere Hy-Gard (J20C) would not drop in viscosity to 9.4 cSt at 82°C and would likely be within the viscosity grade you are looking for. Besides just looking at fluid viscosity is monitoring temperature and keeping the fluid & hydraulic systems clean. Viscosity only means something if you know the operating temperature of the fluid, not just ambient. Also, make sure there are some magnets in the hydraulic reservoir / circuit to pull out metal between fluid changes / service.

I've used Hy-Gard in many applications but most of them spec Hy-Gard LV (Low Viscosity, J20D) where-as the older equipment usually spec something closer to Hy-Gard (J20C). I don't think you see the low temperatures in FL that we do up here so I would feel comfortable using Hy-Gard (J20C) or similar. Deere sells excellent quality fluids if they're available to you but most MFGs sell something that meets the Deere spec.

 

[martinq]

Maybe this chart will help make sense? You can see the SAE Crankcase 20 covers the range of ISO 46-68 as well as overlaps the 75W-80W SAE Gear. There are plenty of oils to choose from in this range but you need to know your operating temperature to be sure.

 

[jahmes143]

@martinq @userfriendly . Thanks for the graphic, that is really helpful, and thank you for explaining this. We only irrigate in summer, when temps are 50F+. I will do my best to monitor operating temps this summer. I have some Traveller Premium Tractor fluid (from Tractor Supply) that says it meets J20C spec. I may give that a try.

 

[martinq]

@martinq @userfriendly . Thanks for the graphic, that is really helpful, and thank you for explaining this. We only irrigate in summer, when temps are 50F+. I will do my best to monitor operating temps this summer. I have some Traveller Premium Tractor fluid (from Tractor Supply) that says it meets J20C spec. I may give that a try.

Sounds good. Please let us know how it goes.

 

[userfriendly]

@martinq @userfriendly . Thanks for the graphic, that is really helpful, and thank you for explaining this. We only irrigate in summer, when temps are 50F+. I will do my best to monitor operating temps this summer. I have some Traveller Premium Tractor fluid (from Tractor Supply) that says it meets J20C spec. I may give that a try.

Perfect, around the block a few times right back to our first guess.
I use J20C in transfer cases, power steering pumps and in my JD lawn tractor.
Some guys use it in automatic transmissions on the drag strip behind their 6,500 stall converters.

 

[jahmes143]

@userfriendly This thread is the first I've heard of J20C. We don't have any Deeres. A lot of Kubotas which require Super UDT ("SUDT"). Do you know the similarities/differences between these two fluid specs. We have SUDT by the 55gal drum.

 

[userfriendly]

@userfriendly This thread is the first I've heard of J20C. We don't have any Deeres. A lot of Kubotas which require Super UDT ("SUDT"). Do you know the similarities/differences between these two fluid specs. We have SUDT by the 55gal drum.

Pick a THF/UTTO from any of the majors and look at the manufactures’ approvals. I picked J20C&D because it’s the one most people are familiar with, and if it passes that, 99% of the time it passes the others.
Avoid brands that you’ve never heard of.

 

[martinq]

@userfriendly This thread is the first I've heard of J20C. We don't have any Deeres. A lot of Kubotas which require Super UDT ("SUDT"). Do you know the similarities/differences between these two fluid specs. We have SUDT by the 55gal drum.

The difference is viscosity. You can use the one that better fits your application based on load, ambient temperature, fluid temperature, etc.