GL5 EP 90w gear oil

Paul007 · Oct 7, 2010

I have not changed the trans/diff/lift oil in my 202 yet since acquiring it a couple months ago. It is milky from water intrusion, thought it might burn off but after 3 solid hours of work last night the oil was barely warm to the touch.

The manual says non EP lube, but the stuff that is in there smells like sulfur and I suspect someone put EP in it. The lift arms, which are attached to a box scraper, drop in about 10 seconds if the pump isn't turning (clutch depressed). This I can live with, chaining it up since I'm just using the front loader at present.

I have 8 new gallons of GL5 90w I could put in it, but of course I don't want to do any more damage than may have been done. Should I ditch the GL5 and buy 8 gallons of non EP?

Paul

chuck41 · Oct 7, 2010

Hi Paul, Do yourself a favor and ditch the GL5.
When new they had 80 or 90 wt green mineral oil,
but I believe that is hard to find. I believe
GL 1 but others may know the current oil #'s
better. Chuck

mlauk · Oct 8, 2010

I would put in hydraulic tractor fluid in it.

Paul007 · Oct 8, 2010

OK, I'll ditch the GL5. Hydraulic oil would be nice, since it's half the price of motor oil (or 90w non EP, if I could find it), but I wonder if it's up to the task of trans/diff duty?

Inno · Oct 8, 2010

I believe it's called TDH, which I think stands for Tractor Differential & Hydraulic............I have read that it is much better to use than standard 90wt. I will be switching mine when I replace the 3pt. pump in a few days. Cheaper and supposedly better for the tractor. There are quite a few old threads on the subject.

Inno · Oct 8, 2010

I believe it's called TDH, which I think stands for Tractor Differential & Hydraulic............I have read that it is much better to use than standard 90wt. I will be switching mine when I replace the 3pt. pump in a few days. Cheaper and supposedly better for the tractor. There are quite a few old threads on the subject.

Dean · Oct 9, 2010

Paul:

Your tractor was designed for GL-1 90W.

GL-5 90W is a more modern oil with EP additives. It is a better gear oil but long term exposure of yellow metals, Brass, etc. to GL-5 is not recommended unless "Yellow Metal Safe" is stated on the container.

That said, use of GL-5 in your tractor likely has not caused much if any abnormal wear.

I would not recommend hydraulic fluid unless MF (like CNH) now recommends such oil for tractors originally designed for GL-1.

Dean

Paul007 · Oct 9, 2010

Thanks again guys. Tractor Supply lists a GL1 90w for Ford tractors, not bad at 8 bucks a gallon either. Sounds like the ticket.

http://www.external_link/vehicle-ma...-mineral-90-transmission-fluid-2-gal--0806600

I'm familiar with the EP/yellow metal issue from my vintage motorcycle. Some of the GL4 EP oils, Sta-Lube for example, say they are safe right on the label (their GL5 does not). If the oil in my 202 has EP in it now, as I suspect from the sulfur smell, it may be of a lesser grade than GL5, don't know. Anyway, probably best not to take a chance and put in new GL5 just to save $70. I do wonder though, what is made of brass in the 202, synchros, bushings, something in the pump?

BTW some of the Hydraulic Tractor Fluids, such as this Accel 303, are tempting for $26 a fiver, but has EP. Whether there is enough to inflict damage on yellow metal, if at all, remains up for debate I suppose.

http://www.external_link/vehicle-ma...fluids/accel-303-tractor-fluid-5-gal--8060004

Dean · Oct 9, 2010

Your MF has scotch yokes in the hydraulic pump. The sliding blocks and both pump bushings are made of brass.

Dean

GL5 EP 90w gear oil

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