Harvest King Vintage Tractor Hydraulic Fluid

I noticed Harvest King has put out a hydraulic fluid for vintage tractors. I cant find any reviews. Anybody have any experience with it? The label just says its formulated for tractors pre-1989. I have a 67 Ford 3000 and a 63 Farmall 806D.
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I think the whole key is that the bucket is now labeled Vintage Tractor. There was a lawsuit that several farm stores got caught in where the fluid (in a prior bucket which didn't say Vintage) was used in newer tractors and owners claimed that clutch disks failed, brake linings failed, and probably gear drives failed. The bucket is probably labeled correctly now specifying that it does not meet the current standards and probably even the next prior standard. The interesting thing is that it says prior to 1989, a time when many tractors were already using wet brakes and clutches along with common transmission and hydraulic reservoirs. But, who ever packages the oil is saying it meets the standard of that time.

Its fine . Ive ran 303 for years now I either run the vintage or the next step up theres a complete list of specs of what the oil meets there was on the 303 bucket as well before some cry baby claimed the oil did this that and the other . I will not buy the super s at tractor supply out of 6 pails 3 had water in the oil white like you were pouring milk the other buckets were fine thats just a cause of poor storage . My first job was at a new holland dealer we had to get rid of 6 brand new 55 gallon drums that were stored outside still sealed that took on water and ruined them . One thing to keep in mind is hydraulic oil isnt policed by api or anyone else unless you buy oem to guarantee it meets this spec or that .

Cheap oil and grease are two of the most expensive items you can buy long term.Ever heard of being Penny Wise and Pound Foolish?

I tried cheap hydraulic fluid in my Jubilee.
Worked fine in summer.
Had to use CNH 134 for winter.

CNH recommended using CNH 134 in tranny.
Tranny leaked, had to go back to cheap gear lub.

Go figure.

Terramite has a warning label. Don't use hydraulic fluid in hydraulic.
Use 10w30 or 10w40. I don't use hyd fluid, I use Harvest king and change is as recommended 200-300 hours. No problems. Also buy grease at RK, no problems, grease often as recommended.

Just looked at that picture and noted it says MOST not ALL before 1989. That tells me read the specs and see if its compatible with your use.

The Harvest King Vintage labeling claims to meet later specs (JDM J14 and J20A) which supersede the 303 formula. As posted, there is no oversite (like the API for motor oils) for these type fluids, so you are trusting the producer of the product to match those specs.

TF,
How do we really know that just because we spend big bucks on anything that it's better than the cheap stuff??

I buy Kroger brand food. I can't tell the difference between store brand the expensive stuff.

When it comes to buying gas, the price may be the same at Marathon, 66, Shell, Country mark gas and it better than some off brands. The good gas is suppose to have more detergent in it. How can the average person really know there's added detergent??
I have to trust the what I read on the pump there is more detergent.

What about grease?? I use the cheap stuff. Works for me. What's the difference between $1 and $3 grease?? Answer: $3 - $1 = $2 difference. I buy the expensive grease for wheel bearings that operate at a higher temp.

How can anyone evaluate the quality of oil? I have to trust what's on the label.

Someone, I'll leave his name out of this, told me that Kubota oil is Valvoline which I can buy Valvoline at RK cheaper than at Kubota. My point is just because you pay more doesn't mean you are getting more. BTW, GM dealer uses Valvoline.

I'm not saying you are wrong and I'm right.

Each person need to decide what works for them.

I've never had engine problems using RK oils in my old tractors.

Another story about my Kubota. Dealer services it while under warranty.

I agree more expensive doesn't mean better in a lot of things.Oil and grease in my opinion you get what you pay for.Suits me what someone wants to use,matter of fact I've made a pretty good Nickle over the years buying tractors that people tried to short cut on and it literally blew up on them.I only buy diesel fuel at the auto diesel pump,when I worked at the concrete plant I saw issues that came from truck stop fuel and off road diesel.

Good catch.

I like my grease to stay where I inject it cheap is not the answer.
Cheap grease will leak out of my gun that's enoufh reason not to use it for me : )

Knockout two birds with one stone, Lucas Red and Tacky #2 life will be good.

The bad it smells like grease, taste like grease is hard to get off of ya and difficult to get the gun to prime. I keep two guns loaded so I don't have to fudge with a gun when it runs out.

People using the wrong cheap transmission oil keeps my shop busy..

When o switched to John Deere full synthetic grease in my bearings and I joints it cut my grease bill in half . When it comes to leaky old loader tractors the yellow bucket meets everything you or I drive

How many thousands of dollars are you counting on saving ?

Looks like a new shade of lipstick on the same old pig to me. (new bucket, same old 303 swill).

How cold is it there George ? Ive used 303 at 30 below zero it takes a little while for it warm but when its that cold probably a good idea to let the tractor warm up for 10 or 15 minutes Anyway