10W40 for Gear Oil in Massey Ferguson TO30

Bowana85

Member
I am understanding some of you suggest using this oil. Is it more likely to leak through my seals and why use it instead of the prescribed oil.
 
The 10w40 will work well in cold climates.

15w 40 would be a better choice for warmer weather use.

The advantage is the viscosity modifiers available now that weren't back when the tractor was built. The original 90 weight mineral oil gets very thick when cold, makes the lift operate in slow motion. The reason for using engine oil is that it doesn't have the EP wear additives that gear oils have, which is not recommended for use with yellow metals.

As for leaking, it shouldn't make a difference. Unless the front input shaft(s) seals have been replaced, they will leak regardless of the oil used. The rear seals are so high above the oil level, unless operating on an slant (plowing with on wheel in the furrow) they should never have oil near them.
 
(quoted from post at 11:22:51 01/09/20) The 10w40 will work well in cold climates.

15w 40 would be a better choice for warmer weather use.

The advantage is the viscosity modifiers available now that weren't back when the tractor was built. The original 90 weight mineral oil gets very thick when cold, makes the lift operate in slow motion. The reason for using engine oil is that it doesn't have the EP wear additives that gear oils have, which is not recommended for use with yellow metals.

As for leaking, it shouldn't make a difference. Unless the front input shaft(s) seals have been replaced, they will leak regardless of the oil used. The rear seals are so high above the oil level, unless operating on an slant (plowing with on wheel in the furrow) they should never have oil near them.


Okay, thanks! I am going with the 15w40. The rear wheels were leaking and I think it is because they were too full.
 
The proper level is to the bottom bolt hole on the round side covers.

If you fill it from the hole in top of the transmission, fill it very slowly. The passages from the transmission to the rear housings are small, filling it too fast will dump oil out the front seal and into the clutch.

If there was water in the cases, check the shifter boot.
 
15w40 will prabobly work too, matter of fact am just going to finish up putting my new 1-3/8 upgraded PTO Shaft back in my 1949
Ferguson TO-20 today. Then possibly refill it with oil today. I am using the tractor supply traveller All Mineral SAE-90 weight oil
Ford Tractor Transmission/Hydraulic Fluid. Whatever you do do not use the Tractor Supply Universal Transmission/Hydraulic fluid.
That's the stuff that will eat your brass and ruin your hydraulic pump inside. The only problem with the SAE-90 weight that I am going
to be using is in the winter time after you start your tractor and release the clutch it might stall. that is because the oil is so
thick and you have to feather the clutch until everything warms up.
 
I have a 53 TO-30
and I went out to Tractor Supply and got
Traveller Ford Tractor All Mineral 90 Transmission Fluid
I use it in my 1952 8N also
works well
I would not use motor oil
use what the manual says.
 
i understand over in England they use 15w40 non detergent oil in the differential transmission of the little Fergys.
over there they can buy non detergent 15w40 oil.
the brass or bronze bearings in the transmissions of these tractors were designed to run in mineral oil.
the detergent in the 15w40 oil eats away at the bronze bearings

so I was told, but at this stage in the life of the tractor it might not really matter.

also they can buy 60 or less weight mineral oil for winter use.
all I ever found was 90 weight non detergent mineral oil at NAPA

that 90 weight is a little thick on a cold morning, just have to set awhile and let it pump up but then the lift works fine.
so I guess I am not going to change out the oil
 

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