maxwell99

Well-known Member
I drained the trans/hyd oil out of my 1957 TO35 this fall and replaced it with NAPA brand GL-1 90 weight mineral oil.

I started the tractor today and it took a few mins for the lift to come up, just was very slow.

I do no remember it being that slow, it is around 35 degrees. lift has been working fine, it may just be like me old and slow in cold weather.

any recommendations or should I do as I did today, just give it a few mins in cold weather to come up.

appeared to work fine as I used the tractor.
 
I would say that it is probably is the oil. I acquired my to30 in September, lift worked great, I changed all the fluids, including the rearend (which got gl-1 90). It worked great after the fluid change, but now that it's in the teens, it lifts slower than molasses in January. Pump works great, it's just the thick oil. I see now why those that are in the know recommend 10w-30 motor oil in the rear end.
 
The oil makes a world of difference - I have a To20 that has the mineral oil and a TE20 that has 15w-40w oil. The TE20 life is operable and ready to go on startup. The TO20 with the mineral oil is REALLY SLOW in cold weather until it warms up. Once warmed up, they are both about the same. (The mineral oil is gonna be replaced with my next transmission oil change!)
 
I would guess it is the oil I have the same problem when cold, i put in what the tractor came with in 1952 and I should have should put the 15w40
 
Thanks for the replies.

I will just take my time, just let the motor warm up, that will give the lift time to come up.

At least the system has clean oil with no water down in the bottom of the gear case.
 
I don't know how to say this, but........what did I tell ya?
I have never used anything else in my 40 years as a tractor operator other than Super Universal 15/30 oil and my tractors worked real hard for my living. I have never had a hydraulic pump issue....... ever!
Sam
 
I suppose, most of the time, you are far enough south for GL-1.... this week... you are too far north for GL-1.... I am too far north to go outside and deal with things like this... 10W-40 in all of mine...
 
10W30 in my TO35 and it's luvley! Although it does sit in the heated garage until needed. I have GL1 in the 202 and you might as well forget about using the 3pt for a good 1/2 hour after starting it if the temps are in the 30s! Heck, you can barely move the shift lever when it's cold. GL1 is really only suitable for machines where the temp doesn't get below freezing IMO.
 
Regardless of the oil that is in the tractor, you should let it warm up before using it. Just like letting your car warm up before driving it. The engines will last longer and it"s easier on the hydraulics.
 
It is just the oil that you are using, if you use Multi-Grade 10W/30 you shouldn't have this problem until it gets down to about -25 deg. We get this question at this time every year and we keep giving the same answer but we still get some who won't start using some better oil. Always press the Clutch Pedal when starting the Engine, this will prevent the Starter having to turn the transmission and hydraulics....John(UK)
 
I guess old (MHF) did something right in that the lift still works after 56 years of use. Even if it's a little slow.

Did the company recommend using a different weight oil in the trans/hyd system during the winter months back in 1950's?
 
Yes they did, but very few did actually change it, they just complained like they still do now. But the Multi-grade is the answer, no need to change that oil for winter or summer and it works great in places that are a lot colder than your weather. It was Ferguson who made the hydraulics in late 1930's, MHF only came along much later in 1953. Ferguson would not be using that GL oil now if they were still making that model, it was used because at the time, there was very little choice of what they could use, they don"t use in in the newer tractors and they have a very similar Pump. In the UK we used SAE30/40 at that time. The Multi-grade oils are a more modern oil than GL1 Types and it contains anti-wear properties that the old oil doesn't"t have, so that alone is worth using it. The GL1 oil that is sold now is not the same as the original oil. The old oil contained nothing at all, the new GL1 has additives and contains very little actual oil, it is mostly chemicals of one type or another. You wouldn't"t use GL1 in one of your trucks, you would use a Multi-grade, so why not use it in your tractor and save all the problems associated with cold weather every year... John(UK)
 
Can you run into problems when switching to 10-30/40 oil if the tractor has 8,000+ hours and everything is working, but probably not the best? That is, maybe pump and lift cylinder should be rebuilt but is still working, maybe a little jerky, leaks down, etc. I could see the lighter oil helping in the winter but maybe worse performance in the summer in a worn out machine.
 

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