[SuperSport396-375HP]

Hey guys,

What fluid can I use instead of JD jow viscosity oil in my JD hydros? I am thinking of changing the hydro oil in my JD fleet and am certain a replacement oil can be found at an auto parts store for a lot less than what Deere dealers sell their product for.

Thank you in advance!:greendr:

 

[DJ in WV]

I have wondered the same thing, but I haven't found one myself.

 

[D-Dogg]

Another member found that NAPA sold a fluid that meets the Hygard High viscosity specification.

I just haven't had the time to pull the specs for low visc and ask my NAPA store.

JD states I can use Type F ATF in my 318, but I do not know that it is a universal replacement for Low Viscosity across all models.

 

[dardamar]

You can also just use regular 10W engine oil. Thats what low viscosity hygard is. Thats what my local Deere dealer told me.

http://tractorpoint.com/cgi-bin/tra... Deere Review&parentnum=153853&filter=Hettric

 

[yamadoo]

Guy's,

I used the Type F fluid in my 420 until I began to have issues(>400hrs), then rough jerky engagement, worse under load ie uphill. When I replaced filter and fluid with the JD product symptoms improved some and after time have now near completely resolved.

So I hope to hear of a product that is cheaper and works but I do not trust the Type F.

Now for several years I would have said, "used it it works great..........then issues".

Hope to learn more

Yamadoo

 

[Stash]

You can also just use regular 10W engine oil. Thats what low viscosity hygard is. Thats what my local Deere dealer told me.

Don't even think about doing that. 10W engine oil may have the same viscosity as Low Viscosity HyGard, but it does not have the same chemical makeup, nor the same characteristics.

I looked into a replacement for HyGard several years ago. Nobody around my parts carried anything, so I just stayed with the JD stuff. It works, and does a fantastic job. I'm all for saving money, but certainly not if there's any risk involved.

Have you gone to the Deere parts site and downloaded the MSDS sheet for HyGard? It should indicate the manufacturer and the ASTM specs. From that, it should be easy to find a cross.

 

[saskman49]

Just curious why people think Hygard is priced too high, seems to me it is quite reasonable when you compare it to stuff like Mobil 1 engine oil. I bought 16 litres of it at 4 something a litre and I paid just abt abt 42 bux + txs etc for 4.4 liters of Mobil 1 for my truck and I need 7 liters for it every 2 months. And how long does it take to put 200 hrs on a Deere to have it require a transaxle oil change. We have 39.1 hrs on our 2320 since last sept.

 

[x595]

Sorry , but I disagree with the use of replacements or generics , we pay out
to much for our Tractors to use these inferior products IMO , if and when you
have a problem and you have a Walmart or Walgreens filter on there , how
will you explain that to the Dealer ???

Later,x595

 

[SuperSport396-375HP]

Just curious why people think Hygard is priced too high, seems to me it is quite reasonable when you compare it to stuff like Mobil 1 engine oil. I bought 16 litres of it at 4 something a litre and I paid just abt abt 42 bux + txs etc for 4.4 liters of Mobil 1 for my truck and I need 7 liters for it every 2 months. And how long does it take to put 200 hrs on a Deere to have it require a transaxle oil change. We have 39.1 hrs on our 2320 since last sept.

I bought a 5 gallon bucket of Hygard not long ago at my local JD dealer, it was $87.00. When I go to my hometown the same product there is 43.00 at that JD dealer.

I would think CAT and Komatsu and Case use a quality hydraulic fluid too, I wonder how it compares with Hygard?

I feel certain that Deere doesn't make Hygard. One of the petro companies probably does and probably offers the same product under a different name with the same specs.

Also, I am usually working when the JD dealer is open, i can't always take off from work and drive across town hauling all of my equipment and 3-4 guys with me that are on the clock. if i can find the same product at Advance or NAPA I can probably stop by on the weekend to buy it without burning 30 dollars in labor and losing $$$ from pulling my gear and guys off site.
How long does it take to put 200 hours on a machine? For me that takes about 6-7 weeks. I total about 1300-1400 for the year cumalitive on my machines.

Someone mentioned the Type F trans fluid, that is what Deere used to put in 420s back in the day, or at least that is what my hometown dealer told me. One of my 420s still has it as you can see the red fluid in the sight tube. I bought that machine with 743 hours on it, today it has 1300 plus and I have never changed it, or any of the other 420's and 455s that i own.

 

[Grateful11]

Hey guys,

What fluid can I use instead of JD jow viscosity oil in my JD hydros? I am thinking of changing the hydro oil in my JD fleet and am certain a replacement oil can be found at an auto parts store for a lot less than what Deere dealers sell their product for.

Thank you in advance!:greendr:

How much fluid would take to change out your entire JD fleet?

 

[blueorrfan]

Just curious why people think Hygard is priced too high, seems to me it is quite reasonable when you compare it to stuff like Mobil 1 engine oil. I bought 16 litres of it at 4 something a litre and I paid just abt abt 42 bux + txs etc for 4.4 liters of Mobil 1 for my truck and I need 7 liters for it every 2 months. And how long does it take to put 200 hrs on a Deere to have it require a transaxle oil change. We have 39.1 hrs on our 2320 since last sept.

Just bought 1 liter at a local dealer for $7.99 Cdn....yikes!
Let me know when you find the substitute, will try another dealer and a 1 gallon jug till then.

 

[D-Dogg]

Just bought 1 liter at a local dealer for $7.99 Cdn....yikes!
Let me know when you find the substitute, will try another dealer and a 1 gallon jug till then.

To compare apples to apples (sort of), how much is a litre of PREMIUM Type F ATF? Not some generic brand.

 

[onewhey]

Hey guys,

What fluid can I use instead of JD jow viscosity oil in my JD hydros? I am thinking of changing the hydro oil in my JD fleet and am certain a replacement oil can be found at an auto parts store for a lot less than what Deere dealers sell their product for.

Thank you in advance!:greendr:

I checked at NAPA for an alternative. They recommended Valvoline "Premium Universal Tractor Fluid". The container specifically states it is a replacement for these John Deere oils:
JD Quatrol, J20A, J20C (Hydard 303), J14B, J14C, J21S, 303.

 

[X500Driver]

The low viscosity is J20D. Chevron and Shell both make a fluid that meets that spec. Good luck finding a distributor that carries it or is any cheaper than the Deere dealer. Normal UTF's don't meet this spec and risking damage to the equipment with the wrong fluid is not worth it to me. I've wasted plenty of time searching and it is not worth it. I just use the dealer fluid and call it a day.

 

[Stash]

Amsoil Synthetic Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission Oil SAE 5W-30 Product Code: ATHQT-EA meets J20D specs. It costs about $8 per quart. JD's HyGard is less than that.

 

[D-Dogg]

So it's all "Much Ado About Nothing"?

 

[blueorrfan]

Ya, think I'll just buy it in bulk....lol

 

[SuperSport396-375HP]

How much fluid would take to change out your entire JD fleet?

I have 4 420s and 2 455s at the moment, and a GT275......I think the 400 series have around 7 quarts each....so I guess around 13-14 gallons total.

 

[Grateful11]

I have 4 420s and 2 455s at the moment, and a GT275......I think the 400 series have around 7 quarts each....so I guess around 13-14 gallons total.

They all need to be changed at the same time?

 

[blueorrfan]

Called my Deere Dealer today, they sell the Hydro oil for $4.25 a litre Cdn funds...I don't think that's too bad!