[AT] Transmission oil, 90-wt?

[Mike Sloane]

This is probably "antique tractor heresy", but my opinion is that, as 
long as it is vaguely slippery, whatever you put in your tractor's 
transmission will be fine. 1. The quality of today's lubricants is so 
far advanced from what they sold in the 1940s and '50s that those old 
specifications aren't really that important (as long as the approximate 
viscosity is similar). 2. Very few of us operate our antiques anywhere 
near as hard or long as they were designed for, so that the stress on 
the components is minimal.

I have acquired tractors with transmissions half full of water, and they 
worked just fine with no damage to the bearings or gears (aside from a 
little rust here and there). So my suggestion is to buy the closest 
product that fits your needs and budget and don't worry about it.

And by the way, I feel the same about engine oil - I have a dozen 
tractors, a diesel truck, lawn mowers, pressure washer, etc. Everything 
runs just fine on NAPA "Fleet" 15W-40. And all my hydraulic systems (and 
tractors that use hydraulic in their transmissions) get NAPA hydraulic 
fluid that is listed as the equivalent of IH, JD, Ford, AC, Case, etc. 
fluid.

Again, this is my personal opinion, not supported by any industry data, 
and you may feel free to differ (but it probably won't change my mind) :-)

Mike

Dean Vinson wrote:
> I stopped at Tractor Supply this evening, looking for 90-weight gear oil for
> use in a Farmall M.  They had some 2-gallon containers of various 80W-90
> oils, and 5-gallon buckets of 90W oil that according to the label is
> specially formulated for use in 1939-1952 Ford tractors.  It even says "Ford
> transmission oil" or something like that on the label.   What's the deal
> with that?  Why so specific to one brand of tractor?
> 
> I'd figured there'd be 5-gallon buckets of general purpose 90-weight oil, at
> a relatively moderate cost per gallon.  I assume the stuff marked as Ford
> transmission oil would be perfectly fine, but should I be looking for 80W-90
> instead?
> 
> (I haven't mentioned this yet on the tractor list, but after seeing all
> those Farmalls at the Portland show, I bought an M and am keeping it in my
> garage.  Pretty decent shape, needs lots of tinkering.  Photo at
> http://www.vinsonfarm.net/photos/1950_M.jpg).
> 
> Dean Vinson
> Dayton, Ohio
> www.vinsonfarm.net
> _______________________________________________

-- 
Mike Sloane
Allamuchy NJ
<mikesloane at verizon.net>
Website: <www.geocities.com/mikesloane>
Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>

The trade of governing has always been monopolized by the most
ignorant and the most rascally individuals of mankind.
-Thomas Paine, philosopher and writer (1737-1809)


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