[AT] Tractor Fluid (OT, only maybe)

[jtchall at nc.rr.com]

Greg, when dad worked for an IH dealer they always had their customers use 
30W oil in the letter series Farmalls (they sold Quaker State and the IH 
branded oils). I think those engines are very forgiving. We always used a 
HD30W for diesels in the Super A's and M here (first it was Phillips 66 then 
we went to Exxon). This dates back to when these tractors worked to earn 
their keep. We never have had an engine failure due to oil.

Regarding the transmission, we normally use 90W but on some really tired 
machines we've dumped in 140W. The way we figure it if it has all leaked out 
and the owner isn't keeping it checked, heavier oil is better than no oil!

Getting back to IH branded oils, I have a Cadet that has never had anything 
but IH Low Ash. The dealer dad worked for had customers that swore by that 
stuff, claimed the engine would burn anything else. I think it was Heritage 
Iron magazine that published a really good article on the IH Oils about a 
year ago. It contained quite a bit of good info. I believe dad told me he 
went to a training school on oils put on by IH back in the early/mid 70's.

Regarding switching oils, I grew up listening to old timers say not to do 
it. Any used equipment we buy gets whatever we use in the rest of the fleet 
(with the exception of my Cadet). I did have a problem with my Ford pickup 
when I switched from Penzoil to Exxon, it started having lifter trouble the 
next day. My mechanic friend told me to switch to Havoline and add Lucas, 
problem solved. I guess the Exxon oil was more of a detergent oil and turned 
loose some of the crud the Penzoil left behind.

John Hall


-----Original Message----- 
From: Greg Hass
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2013 3:41 PM
To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
Subject: Re: [AT] Tractor Fluid (OT, only maybe)

To get a little off track, I hate it when they change oils. Two years
ago I bought a new JD Zero turn mower. The book said to use 20W-50 in
the hydrostat; it came with the usual warning of (do not substitute),
and of course the big one; DO NOT MIX OILS. Even though the mower was
new, I like to have the basics on hand and as they didn't have the oil
in stock I had them order a quart (according to the book you never
change the trans oil, just add if needed). A couple of weeks later I
stopped at the dealer to pick up the oil. The parts guy disappeared into
the back for a while and then returned with an update sheet which stated
that the 20W-50 oil is not available. It further said that engineering
had approved 15W-40 Plus II for use in the transmission. WAIT A MINUTE:
what happened to the DO NOT MIX OILS? I guess you need not read or
listen to the book but just throw in some oil.
To get back to old tractors, I have run into the same problem with my 49
Cub. The book said, and I have used since owning it(about 12 years) to
use 20W oil in the engine. Growing up and into my 20's, at various times
we used, IH, a super c, a 350 utility, and a 504 Farmall. None were
abused, but all were used hard. 20W oil was used in all of them year
around and we never had a problem with any of them. A couple of years
ago I tried to get some oil for the cub only to find that 20W is no
longer made; I checked 5 places and the Penzoil dealer even called his
distributor. The cub is the only tractor I have that now uses this oil
and up until now I had enough for my needs but my supply is gone. What
should I do now? 30W seems a bit heavy as most work is light and takes
under an hour and it doesn't get all that hot, however I do have a disk
and field cultivator for it and then it does really work. I could use
10W-30 but when it gets hot the oil pressure is almost on red; although
it uses almost no oil. I almost never run it in freezing weather. I am
leaning towards IH 30W low ash oil as I already keep it on hand for my
715 gas combine, but I just don't know.
It's sort of like was has come up on the list before a couple of times.
What oil is used in a Cub transmission? Some people said 90W; others
said hy-tran. I couldn't figure the different answers until I found out
that both answers are correct. Early Cubs use 90W, later models use
hy-tran even though its the same transmission. I liked the common sense
(which is sadly lacking today) answer one member gave as to which oil to
use; if you have good seals, use hy-tran; if the seals leak some, use 90W.
          Greg Hass
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