[Farmall] IH Hy-Tran Fluid

[Jim Becker]

Lubricants have changed since 80 years ago when they were spec'ing 140
weight gear oil, or even in the nearly 50 years since IH started putting
Hy-Tran in the transmissions.  The critical point for gear cases (and mostly
for hypoid gears, which your Cadet doesn't have anyway) is the EP property.
Before there were decent EP additives, they got the property by using thick
oil.  Simple straight cut or bevel gears generally do fine in thinner oil.
Engines have gears inside them.  Those gears do just fine with engine oil,
and usually running at higher temperatures than a transmission does.

Multi-viscosity engine oils are not good in hydraulic/transmission
applications because the detergents make them prone to foaming.  This is a
problem for the hydraulic side of things.  Another issue is the ability of
the oil to absorb moisture without degrading.  Engines have more heat to
evaporate moisture back out so moisture is less of a problem in transmission
cases.  Good hydraulic oils are designed to absorb a lot more moisture than
engine oil.

Viscosity of gear oils is not on the same scale as motor oil.  So
comparisons aren't as obvoius as they look.  I think 90 gear oil is in the
area of 40 or 50 weight motor oil.  I doubt the ratings are even made at the
same temperature.  By the way, I think Hy-Tran runs about the same as 20
weight motor oil, which you can't even find any more (at least I can't).

One more point on oil additives.  Engineering an additive package is a
balancing act.  An additive that helps one factor may hurt another.  The
viscosity index vs. foaming I mentioned above is an example.  That is why it
is almost always a bad idea to dump any of the "oil supplement" crap into
your oil.  The rare exceptions are ones recommended by the original
suppliers.

Jim Becker        jim.becker at verizon.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Arthur Umland" <artsd at aol.com>
To: "Farmall/IHC mailing list" <farmall at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2004 8:36 AM
Subject: Re: [Farmall] IH Hy-Tran Fluid


>     You are probably right Steve, and it is just a personal issue on my
> part. But as I mentioned to Carl, all my past experience leads me to
> think one would want a heavier weight lubricant then 10 W hydraulic
> fluid in a gear case! I think I will drop in on my local IH dealer this
> morning.
>
>       Regards,
>                            Art
>
>
> On Aug 27, 2004, at 8:23 AM, soffiler at myeastern.com wrote:
>
> > Art:
> >
> > I'm a bit confused.  Your lawn tractor specifies Hy-Tran;
> > you say you're familiar with Hy-Tran... what's the problem
> > again?  Don't use "80-90W" (which is probably 80W-90), just
> > use the Hy-Tran like it says.
> >
> > Steve O.
> >
> > From: Arthur Umland <artsd at aol.com>
> >
> >> Reading the owners manual for the International Spirt of
> >> '76 Lawn  Tractor I find that it specifies IH Hy-Tran
> >> Fluid for use in the  Transaxle. I am familiar with
> >> Hy-Tran Hydraulic fluid for my Super C  and H, but what
> >> weight of oil would correspond to Hy-Tran Fluid? I had
> >> purchased and 80-90W oil to use in the transaxle, but I am
> >> not sure if  that is compatible with the specified Hy-Tran
> >> Fluid. If someone can enlighten me about the specifics of
> >> IH Hy-Tran Fluid I  would appreciate it.
> >>
> >>       Regards,
> >>                            Art
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