[AT] Tranny Lube

[Mike Sloane]

At the risk of being accused of heresy, I suggest that almost anything 
slippery would work. 1. You are not likely to be using the tractors for 
more than a couple of hours at a time and not very often. 2. Any 
lubricant you buy today is orders of magnitude superior to what what 
available when the tractors were manufactured (or what poor farmers 
poured into their transmissions back then). 3. The thicker the fluid, 
the less it will leak out through tired old seals, but also the harder 
it will be to run in very cold (below freezing) weather. 4. When you say 
"is overdue for a change", the only reason that I would change the fluid 
in an older machine would be if it was contaminated with water or other 
fluids. Otherwise, the old stuff will work just fine. For older tractors 
(that don't use the transmission fluid for the hydraulic system), I 
recommend generic 90 weight "tractor transmission fluid" available from 
most auto parts stores.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. :-)

Mike

The Allen Family wrote:
> I have a question about transmission lube for my JD A and B.  Both are
> overdue for a change, but I want to choose wisely because I don't want to
> waste any.
> 
> What is the best lube to use?  I have read conflicting information.  Some
> sources say to use a GL-5, but others say that some of the additives in it
> are harsh on brass and copper.  I'm not sure that these tractors have any
> brass or copper in their transmissions, but I worry about taking the chance.
> Does anyone know whether GL-3 has the same additives?
> 
> Another source says that SAE 50 oil is the same as SAE 90 Gear Lube, which
> doesn't sound logical, but the source appeared to know his stuff.  Can
> anyone confirm?  Does anyone know of a source for SAE 50 oil?
> 
> The quantities involved will cost well over $100 for the two tractors, so
> I'd like to make sure I use the best choice.
> 
> TIA for any suggestions and relevant info.
> 
> The "original" Steve Allen
>