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303 THF Legal notice

A

Andy Wickiser

Member

I saw this yesterday published in a farm magazine. I kind of wondered how yellow bucket could go on sale for less than $20. It was allegedly made partly from used transformer oil, used turbine oil, and line flush. I've used 303 for non-critical applications as a hydraulic fluid such as leaky loaders etc and didn't notice any ill effects. I was kind of suspicious, though because the pail only said for use in equipment made prior to the mid-1970s (or something like that). It didn't even say it met 303 specs, that was by implication because of the name.

<IMG SRC =https://i.postimg.cc/zBp0Vkpd/303-Fluid-Legal-Notice-C.jpg>
 
(quoted from post at 11:31:48 08/05/21)
I saw this yesterday published in a farm magazine. I kind of wondered how yellow bucket could go on sale for less than $20. It was allegedly made partly from used transformer oil, used turbine oil, and line flush. I've used 303 for non-critical applications as a hydraulic fluid such as leaky loaders etc and didn't notice any ill effects. I was kind of suspicious, though because the pail only said for use in equipment made prior to the mid-1970s (or something like that). It didn't even say it met 303 specs, that was by implication because of the name.

&lt;IMG SRC =https://i.postimg.cc/zBp0Vkpd/303-Fluid-Legal-Notice-C.jpg&gt;
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any old transformers and oil filled capacitors had oil containing PCBs, a known severe health hazard. I wouldn't think legal to sell, but I might look at label for something such as "PCBS free".
 
The whole thing is a crock . The new oil looks Just the same as the old 303 yellow bucket it just has a different name the old 303 bucket said it met 303 and John Deere j20a and a list of other manufacturers oil specs . The problem is some idiot the same ones in the worst tractor posts never took time to read what the tractor called for oil is oil im not paying another 30$ a pail for that other oil
cvphoto96537.gif
 
Thank you for posting this information. I did buy some of the cheap 303 oil at TSC but have used it in the hydraulic system for my baler bale thrower , my 3 pt hitch backhoe which has its own hyd system/pump and other things like that. I dont believe I have used it in a tractor as it doesnt meet the specs for my newer JD tractors , nor my older Ford tractors. It may have been used in the p/s system of one Ford, but that is seperate from tractor hydraulics. I believe the actual JD 303 spec oil contained sperm whale oil as an additive so any oil without this additive cannot claim to be JD 303 spec oil. Of course the newer JD hydraulic oil can be used in systems that originally called for JD 303 , as can most decent quality universal tractor hydraulic oils.
 
According to the notice, part of the settlement is in response to equipment failures. If a hydraulic pump self-destructs, how can one prove it was the fault of the oil, and not the fact t it was about to fail anyway?
 
I never have understood what it was about 303 in newer tractors that made it so bad. I only have old tractors and that is all I use whenever it's available. I don't see how they can sue the company, the container is clearly marked the oil is for old tractors.
 
For one thing JD303 is incompatible with most wet brake systems which most everything above compact size has now. It can cause wet brake linings to prematurely break down and then contaminate the whole hydraulic system on anything that uses the rear end as a hydraulic sump. I think the lawsuit is based on the fact that these particular oils did not actually even meet JD303 specs and were marketed as if they did. I would agree if someone used it where it called for a different/newer spec oil that is their own responsibility.
 
Yes it is a tractor hydraulic fluid for in tractors with transmissions and brakes and hydraulics in one sump
 


Someone who comes on here now and then told his lawyer buddy about the 303 story and the lawyer saw an opportunity amongst the faithful here.
 
I have asked the question before and have never received an answer. Why can't Deere put a stop to the use of the "303" labeling???????
 
(quoted from post at 16:57:46 08/05/21) Well thats funny because hygard meets 303 spec and Im sure it doesnt have sperm whale oil in it
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No different than new engine oils that can be used in place of older oils, but the older oils aren't recommended in place of the newer oils. New additives are developed, old ones, such as sperm whale oil, may be replaced and/or eliminated; and a new spec is developed. Called: Backwards compatibility.
 

I think JD actually called and labeled it "Special Purpose Oil", not 303. JD303 was their spec or formula for that oil, just like "Hy-Gard" is the name of the current THF, and JD20C is the spec. So 303 may not have been trademarked as a name for their oil, as Hy-Gard is now.
 
I think the issue is that claiming to be JD303 oil (which is what the oils in the lawsuit are accused of), and meeting JD303 specs is 2 different things in the eyes of the law. Thats my best guess and I could be wrong, I'm no lawyer.
 
Because after so long there is no more patent protection. Also
you can Label oil any way you want as far as using A
companies trade name thats why in fine print it will say on the
aftermarket jug somewhere trademark of deere or fiat or agco
or kubota
 
My B.I.L died yesterday at 93 from a heart attack. He was a lineman since getting out of the Army after WWII. He told me that to change voltage on old transformers, you had to change the tap connections down inside the can. He said it was common practice to roll up your sleeves or remove your shirt and reach right down in the oil to do it. He never knew about PCBs until years later. He never did develop any type of cancer. I throw that out there just as an interesting fact. There is no doubt a serious concern about PCBs and many other chemicals. He was probably one of few that had no adverse reaction. Just as some people can smoke all their lives and seem to suffer no consequences from it.
 

If you follow the progressions, 303 oil was a 20 wt oil with viscosity stiffeners (additives). The viscosity additives in use for atf, pwr stg, and thf at that time was a whale oil additive. the '78 international treaty banned all future use of whale oil. Thus that whole generation of fluids had to change..(no more ford "type f" atf fluids) Yes you can very easily make an equivalent as modern oils are far superior, but you can not say it meets 303 as it will have no whale oil in it. Anyone who used 303 in a newer tractor than around 1986, could have damage as they speced and required a much better oil. This depended a lot on the transmission of the tractor, and the higher heat generated due to higher pumping pressures. I dont know the basis of the suit. 303 oils were never supposed to work on newer tractors, but were fine for older tractors that they were speced for.
 
(quoted from post at 07:28:31 08/09/21)
If you follow the progressions, 303 oil was a 20 wt oil with viscosity stiffeners (additives). The viscosity additives in use for atf, pwr stg, and thf at that time was a whale oil additive. the '78 international treaty banned all future use of whale oil. Thus that whole generation of fluids had to change..(no more ford "type f" atf fluids) Yes you can very easily make an equivalent as modern oils are far superior, but you can not say it meets 303 as it will have no whale oil in it. Anyone who used 303 in a newer tractor than around 1986, could have damage as they speced and required a much better oil. This depended a lot on the transmission of the tractor, and the higher heat generated due to higher pumping pressures. I dont know the basis of the suit. 303 oils were never supposed to work on newer tractors, but were fine for older tractors that they were speced for.
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Sotxbill, you got it. was and still is.
 
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