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Transmission hydraulic oil selection for TO-30

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Matthew

03-03-2003 14:38:48

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I am the proud owner of a 1954 ferguson TO-30. I was reading the recent posts and noticed the question about what type of oil to use in the mid and rear sections of the tractor. One of the replies shocked me. The guy that worked on the TE-20 said that 90w was to thick. 90w is what I had always been told to put in it. In fact, I am planning on changing the oil in the near future because in reality it is more water than oil and has a milky look to it. I was planning on purchasing five gallons of 80w 90 oil at NAPA this week, but after seeing that guys opinion, I am reluctant. What he says makes sense. Now, I don't know one way or the other, but I do know this. The reason I am changing my oil is primarily not because of the the water but the fact that the lift stopped working. At first, it took about 10-15 minutes of the tractor running for it to start working and now it will only lift itself. You can forget trying to hook it up to something and it lifting it. That's out of the question. I thought the first thing that I would do is change the oil to see if that helps. I got to start somewhere. Now I am in a dilemma over what type of oil to put in it. I was told that hydraulic oil would be fine for the lift but that it would not be good on the transmission. I would appreciate it if someone could give me their opinion on what grade of oil to add. Thanks in advance! Matthew

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James, UK

03-04-2003 00:49:34

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Re: transmission hydraulic oil selection for TO-30 in reply to Matthew, 03-03-2003 14:38:48

Matt,

I don't want to be mis-quoted on that email on oil, so I'll try again.

What I said was that:

(a) your oil designation may be different to ours here in the UK. Here, EP90 is a really gloopy stinky oil.

(b) Our TE transmissions are supposed to be filled with straight W40 - according to the manual.

(c) The old boys at my local dealer who were brought up on TEs say to use multi-grade transmission oil in the back end (15W 40 near enough - which is 15 SAE Winter behaviour, 40 SAE summer behaviour). This is multi-purpose oil, NOT hydraulic oil - there is a difference.

Now, I don't know much about oils - although I'm a professional engineer, it isn't my subject, so maybe the clue is in the use of the word 'mineral' perhaps mineral oil is different to straight oil, I don't know.

Maybe your differing climate accounts for the different oil - I'm just guessing here.

Big Dean has spent years working on MFs over in your part of the world, and I wouldn't disagree with experience - but I'm really puzzled why you all seem to use treacle in the back end, when we use much thinner oils. It doesn't seem to make sense.

Are there any tribologists out there who can help??

As far as changing the oil goes, if there's water in it, you've got to do it to prevent damage. Then I would check all adjustments very carefully according to the manual - it sounds like something is out. Be especially careful on the front/rear adjustment on the quadrant assembly - it is very sensitive to any adjustment.

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Phillip J. Fenner

03-04-2003 11:17:18

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Re: Re: transmission hydraulic oil selection for TO-30 in reply to James, UK, 03-04-2003 00:49:34

James, the hydraulic oil most people are specifying is what is called out in the Ferguson operating and overhaul manuals at least for the TO models. i.e., MF1103 mineral oil 90w. This oil is heavy but works well in protecting the gears as well as powering the hydraulics. I find it puzzling that the TE models have something specified for the same application that is not even close in performance characteristics. Or are we losing something in the "translation". The only tribologist I have noted on the forum is in the Ford site under the name "llamas" and you might do a search there under his name or hydraulic oils. Anyway our "treacle" works well.

Phil(WA)

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James, UK

03-05-2003 00:52:22

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Re: Re: Re: transmission hydraulic oil selection for TO-30 in reply to Phillip J. Fenner, 03-04-2003 11:17:18

Thanks Phil,

I suppose what I'm getting to is that like you, I'm really puzzled about the obvious differences in the two oils given that the tractors are the same animal. Over here the manual says one thing, and if you suggest putting 90W in the back end, there is a tendency for people to reach for the straight jacket.

I will try a posting over on the Ford forum to see if "llamas" can shed any light on it. If he can, I will post the results here.

It may finally help resolve the differences - perhaps all our manuals had a typographical error in them??? I don't know, but would really like to find out.

Quite clearly over your side of the pond, the manual says something completely different. Diversity is great, but I'm not totally sure about this example ;-)

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phil fenner

03-05-2003 13:35:53

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Re: Re: Re: Re: transmission hydraulic oil selection for TO-30 in reply to James, UK, 03-05-2003 00:52:22

James, I should have added a note of caution on the llamas explanation. It is all good stuff, but pretty technical and you may have to read it twice before you find the answers.

Phil

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Matthew

03-04-2003 05:16:41

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Re: Re: transmission hydraulic oil selection for TO-30 in reply to James, UK, 03-04-2003 00:49:34

Thanks for the clarification!

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mike pa

03-03-2003 15:05:26

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Re: transmission hydraulic oil selection for TO-30 in reply to Matthew, 03-03-2003 14:38:48

Matt, go to your massey dealer. He has M1103 SAE 90, thats just right for your TO30. You are right on the nose if your lift isn't working properly, change the oil first. Good luck

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rod

03-03-2003 14:59:23

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Re: transmission hydraulic oil selection for TO-30 in reply to Matthew, 03-03-2003 14:38:48

I see lots of posts where the lift is not working and they start changing out parts trying to get it to work, I used TDH for 3 years in my TEA 20 and never had a problem. The Ferguosn shop manual has a great section on diagnosing and checking the lift on the TO 20 TE 20 and TO 30 it is a good manual to have at 186 pages very detailed and worth every penny so before you go to changing oil why not invest in a manual your problem could be as simple as adjustment or leaks in the system.
regards
rod

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marlowe

03-03-2003 14:59:15

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Re: transmission hydraulic oil selection for TO-30 in reply to Matthew, 03-03-2003 14:38:48

WELL you will get 10 or more post of advice on this the only thing i will say is when the tractor was new they used 90wt.[mineral oil]this is what the owners manual calls for and it is still available. most take BIG DEAN at his word as to why [see his site] seeing that the right stuff is available why not use it? if you have a massey ferguson dealer close they can get if they don't have it's m-1103 or APL service GL-1 but make sure it's [MINERAL OIL]

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steveormary

03-03-2003 20:43:57

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Re: Re: transmission hydraulic oil selection for TO-30 in reply to marlowe, 03-03-2003 14:59:15

Mathew, sounds like you need to change oil if it is milky. Then work on the adjustments according to the manual.

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