"Meets or Exceeds"

We keep seeing this time and again on this board. If only one person benefits from tis post, I'll count it worthwhile.

I say this as a lubricant distributor. Without naming my brand let me make about four [b:c5691841c3](4)[/b:c5691841c3] points that I believe have been made repeatedly on this board.

1. Know or find the specs required for lubricants for your machine.

2. Lubrication is such a small part (1% to be fairly close) of the overall expense of operating any motorized machine. [b:c5691841c3]Don't skimp on meeting specs just to save dollars on lubes![/b:c5691841c3]

3. Do not be fooled by any lubricant that says it may be used for, is suitable for use in or may be substituted for the spec'd fluid! If the lubricant in question does not specifically say that it [b:c5691841c3]meets or exceeds[/b:c5691841c3]your spec; run don't walk away from it no matter how much cheaper it is.

4. Most 303 were spec'd for mid - 1960s Deere tractors. They are cheap in quality and do more harm than good.

I hope this helps someone avoid the catastrophe faced by a fellow boarder as his father poured 303 fluid in a Genesis tractor repeatedly. If you could hear the horror story I heard about the results of that misapplication . . .

Larry, I agree.

The 303 spec is a spec from JD that originated before most modern additives were invented.

Unfortunately there are some brands that call their fluid 303 because it is a widely known name even though their's do meet or exceed newer specs and say so on the label, so some folks think that means that all fluids that call themselves "303" do the same.

I wish JD would enforce their trademarks and not allow these other fluid manufacturers to use 303 in the name of their product (fine to say that it meets the 303 spec, as that is a technical fact, but using 303 in the name is misleading to the consumer and actually weakens the JD brand).

I forgot to add that the state of Missouri has just recently ordered the sale of anything labeled 303 fluid banned within their state borders. Perhaps other states will follow.

134 is still produced. It has been replaced by MasterTran Ultraction which some dealers sell exclusively. Neither are synthetic blends.

HyTran has also been replaced by HyTran Ultraction (CaseIH brand) and MasterTran Ultraction (New Holland brand). Both are the same oil with different branding.