Changing hydraulic oil types

farmboy1215 · Mar 4, 2020

Hey all! My FIL has always run plain 303 fluid in our 66 and 74 series tractors. I know that's not the right kind to run. I want to put hy tran equivalent fluid in. Can I slowly just start adding the new fluid as things need topped off? I'm having a hard time justifying draining fluid on 3 big tractors. Plus stuff will get contaminated from all the remote cylinders. Thanks!

fastfarmall · Mar 4, 2020

Well if it's been in there for 3 years or more it's time to change it!

caterpillar guy · Mar 4, 2020

I guess you could do it either way. I also guess I would not worry to much about the oil changing since both the 303 and after market hy tran equivalent oil would basically be about the same thing. I would think the biggest issue would be if you suddenly got in to tractors that had some of those fancy transmissions like power shifts or more sophisticated ones. Then I would think it would pay to look into up grading the oil. All those old 06,56,66, tractors with gear boxes would not matter that much. We have been using the hytran equivalent oil for 40 years with no problems that have been attributed to the oil.

BarnyardEngineering · Mar 5, 2020

I see no point to changing if it's been working for such a long time.

Topping off with a different oil will not magically "change" the oil over time. That's just a joke you tell about a car that leaks/burns a lot of oil.

Just keep using what you're using.

AlinMO · Mar 5, 2020

From Missouri Dept of Agriculture

MDA Removes 303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluids From Sale, 303 Manufacturers Recall Product

GovDelivery logoMissouri retailers of tractor hydraulic fluid (303) have been notified by the Department that these products are misbranded because they fail to meet any current tractor manufacturer s specifications. The John Deere (JD) 303 designation is 57 years old and has been obsolete for 43 years. In addition, there are no specifications available for 303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluids and, as such, products making only "303" claims cannot be tested to assure compliance with any known specifications. This action is being taken to protect tractor owners from equipment damage.

Over the summer the Department sampled 14 different 303 fluids, many claiming to work in almost every tractor. All 14 of these 303 fluids failed to meet current specifications and were found to be underperforming to the point that damage was likely to result from use.

Companies have been given the opportunity to revise their claims on the container to clearly identify the appropriate use of the product therein. The Department is working with manufacturers, distributors and retailers to ensure a low cost product with accurate labeling is available in the State of Missouri.

In the end, this action was taken to protect you and every other tractor owner in Missouri from damage to equipment. We are continuing to work with companies to revise their product claims or provide a higher quality product that meets a verifiable OEM tractor specification.
Notice to retailers with 303 products

Please contact your oil supplier to return any mislabeled 303 products for full credit. If you experience a problem with your return, please contact Weights, Measures and Consumer Protection Division Director Ron Hayes at (573) 751-4316.

Mattbowen61990 · Mar 5, 2020

(quoted from post at 13:05:44 03/05/20) From Missouri Dept of Agriculture

MDA Removes 303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluids From Sale, 303 Manufacturers Recall Product

GovDelivery logoMissouri retailers of tractor hydraulic fluid (303) have been notified by the Department that these products are misbranded because they fail to meet any current tractor manufacturer s specifications. The John Deere (JD) 303 designation is 57 years old and has been obsolete for 43 years. In addition, there are no specifications available for 303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluids and, as such, products making only "303" claims cannot be tested to assure compliance with any known specifications. This action is being taken to protect tractor owners from equipment damage.

Over the summer the Department sampled 14 different 303 fluids, many claiming to work in almost every tractor. All 14 of these 303 fluids failed to meet current specifications and were found to be underperforming to the point that damage was likely to result from use.

Companies have been given the opportunity to revise their claims on the container to clearly identify the appropriate use of the product therein. The Department is working with manufacturers, distributors and retailers to ensure a low cost product with accurate labeling is available in the State of Missouri.

In the end, this action was taken to protect you and every other tractor owner in Missouri from damage to equipment. We are continuing to work with companies to revise their product claims or provide a higher quality product that meets a verifiable OEM tractor specification.
Notice to retailers with 303 products

Please contact your oil supplier to return any mislabeled 303 products for full credit. If you experience a problem with your return, please contact Weights, Measures and Consumer Protection Division Director Ron Hayes at (573) 751-4316.

NC has done the same thing, can't even buy 303 here anymore. Went into effect last year.

BarnyardEngineering · Mar 6, 2020

From the research I've done, 303 is basically "line flush" which is the oil they send through the pipes at the blending plant when they switch from bottling one type to another type. Since there's no specification for 303, they can put anything in the bucket and call it 303.

Changing hydraulic oil types

farmboy1215

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fastfarmall

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caterpillar guy

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BarnyardEngineering

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AlinMO

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Mattbowen61990

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BarnyardEngineering

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