[AT] Transmission/Differential Fluid

[Dudley Rupert]

Thanks guys for the input -
I will stay with gear lube (the Operators Manual calls for SAE-80 wt).
I wouldn't even have thought of using anything else except that when I
drained and saw thin red fluid it reminded me of the old thread on this
subject.  However, I am probably not remembering much of it correctly.  I
agree that the safe thing to do is stay with the manufactures
recommendation.
Thanks Dean for the local source - I've got some gaskets on back order at
Farmers Equipment in Burlington so will check out the Costco when I go up.

Thanks again -
Dudley
Snohomish, Washington

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com]On Behalf Of Grant Brians
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 9:12 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] Transmission/Differential Fluid


The old transmission fluid still works great for any applications that are
not Hy-Tran fluid ones. I bought a 55 gallon drum of 85W-140 a few years ago
and it was under $4 a gallon. Now it is probably over, but it is definitely
an item that moves slowly (yes, pun intended!) In any case I would
definitely NOT use ATF in any application that was specified as gear oil
originally. The reason is simple. The 85W-140 lasts essentially indefinitely
without breakdown. The 20W ATF is designed for relatively frequent changes.
Think about a car or truck that has an Automatic Transmission. It will have
the fluid changed at 50,000 miles typically. That is equivalent to probably
600-700 hours on a tractor.
    While many antiques are no longer really worked, when I take our Olivers
out, they are subjected to severe service and I would not want to take a
chance. Second, we all eventually have some condensation in the cases of
these tractors. The water WILL NOT mix with the heavy gear oil at all, while
it might get foamed up in the light weigh oil. In short, why use the lighter
oil where the parts were designed for heavy oil.... On the other hand if you
have a "modern" hydraulic/transmission system, then you will be using hytran
and changing it frequently no matter what!
        Grant Brians
        Hollister California
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dean VP" <deanvp at att.net>
To: "'Antique tractor email discussion group'"
<at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 6:23 PM
Subject: RE: [AT] Transmission/Differential Fluid


> Dudley:
>
> I don't remember the thread about using transmission fluid in place of
80-90
> weight Gear lube.  But since I have to use so much of the 80-90W stuff for
> the large cavities in the old JD's I have searched around a bit to find
some
> reasonable priced stuff. The JD and Napa 80-90W oil is just too expensive
> for the quantities I needed.
>
> A few years ago I found 80-90W Gear Oil at the Costco in Yakima, WA in 5
> gallon containers. I immediately bought several containers. I don't think
> they sell it as 5 gallons however, I think it's by weight. Some odd
measure.
> I hadn't seen it at our local Costco's in Everett or Kirkland but I have
> since discovered it at the Mount Vernon, WA Costco which is one heck of a
> lot closer than Yakima. As I recall the container sells for $23 to $27. I
> just don't remember the exact price now. That is less than half the price
of
> JD's version. I suspect I/H dealers have a similar high price.
>
> I know this doesn't answer all of your questions but it is the most
> reasonably priced bulk 80-90W oil I have found locally. I have it in all
my
> tractors w/o any problems so far.  $5 a gallon is sure better than $12 a
> gallon. I suppose if one bought it in a 50 gallon barrel one could do even
> better but I wasn't willing or ready to deal with those issues.
>
> Dean A. Van Peursem
> Snohomish, WA 98290
>
> CRS = Having a Photographic Memory but a shortage of unused film.
>
> www.deerelegacy.com
>
> http://members.cox.net/classicweb/email.htm
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
> [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Dudley Rupert
> Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 5:19 PM
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group
> Subject: [AT] Transmission/Differential Fluid
>
> I seem to recall - it has probably been a couple of years ago now - a
thread
> on transmission fluid versus gear lube in the transmission/differential of
> older tractors.  While I know the manuals generally call for 80-90 wt gear
> lube I seem to recall that some/several on the list indicated that they
were
> using automatic transmission fluid instead.  A couple of weeks ago I
drained
> the back end of a Farmall M - it definitely had thin, red looking fluid in
> it.  I am now ready to refill and am thinking of using transmission fluid
> instead of gear lube.  While I have drained six or seven tractors before I
> have never yet refilled with transmission fluid.  So, I am curious - the
> last time any of you refilled the back end of an old tractor (I have a
T035
> so know Ferguson's need a special/unique oil), did you use transmission
> fluid (and if so what kind) or did you use gear lube?  I don't recall but
> does anyone remember any drawbacks being noted from using transmission
> fluid?
>
> Thanks -
> Dudley
> Snohomish, Washington
>
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