Re: universal trans/hydro oil?

Majorman

Well-known Member
Tractors up to 1957 used 90W in the gearbox and hydraulics. In 1957 Ford changed the
specs in a service letter to use 30W or 20/30W Universal in all tractors, gearbox and
rear axle, so both grades are correct.

Do not use 90W in the hydraulics of Fordson Super Majors or any of the Dexta range from
1957 as the porting in the hydraulics is much smaller and the thicker oil will cause
problems. (The early Dexta handbook says 140W in the hydraulics and rear axle but this
is an error and was changed in later print runs).

I still use the 90W oil in my 1952 Major but the Universal oil in my Dexta.
 
I guess its a good thing that I have yet to refill the rear end of my Power/Super Major (back half is the Super half). Would oil meeting CIH Hytran be suitable for the transmission/hydraulics? The oil I drained out was like cream colored honey, and the 3point hitch worked poorly. The reprint manual I have is very poorly written.
 
I would not use Hytran, the Universal 20/30W or straight 30W is what is recommended. Hytran is more like a hydraulic oil.

We used the same oil in engine, gearbox and rear axle back in the day and some of the modern universal oils would be OK in the transmissions but not in the older engines because of the anti-squark brake additives.

cvphoto69115.jpg


This is taken from the original Fordson Repair Manual that we used back then.
 
Ford changed the oil specifications for all the Major range in 1959 in a service letter
to all dealers. It is OK to use both the grades specified on your plate and the
Universal 20/30W.
 
I can barely read the tag , I got sae 90 .
You can still get sae 90 at tsc and Napa gl1 mineral oil . You must have bronze bushing in differential, you don’t want to use sae 80/90 (gl4/gl5)that will
react with the bronze cause it has sulphur in the additives .
 

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