What Are the Substitutes of John Deere Hydraulic Oil?

The hydraulic oil used by John Deere is usually the one applied in their agricultural equipment, heavy machinery etc. These sophisticated machineries require a good transmission of oil.

The oil to use in this machinery should protect them from wear. Additionally, it should provide them with friction and should be able to handle extreme pressures.

In today’s article, I will be discussing such withstanding substitutes for the John Deere Hydraulic Oil. These substitutes will protect your machinery and ensure optimum performance.

About John Deere Hydraulic Oil

John Deere is a corporation that manufactures machinery regarding agriculture, forestry, heavy equipment, diesel engines, and lawn care equipment. They also manufacture drivetrains.

John Deere engineers are selective about the fluid used. The default hydraulic and transmission oil selected by them is the Hy-Gard hydraulic transmission fluid. It’s viscosity is perfect for John Deere equipment.

It also provides versatility across a range of equipment. This is because it contains a polymeric viscosity improver.

The only downside of the fluid is that it is crazy expensive. Over time, users find it difficult to maintain the standards. This is why substitutes are so desperately sought after. Before starting with the substitutes, let’s talk about an important criterion of ranking oils, the API rating.

What is API Rating and Why it Matters?

The American Petroleum Institute or API conducts a service rating of commercial motor oils. They check the OEM requirements of the oil and certify it based on that. It even certifies the viscosity grade for the car’s engine.

Always pick the most recent API-rated motor oil which ensures the freshness of the oil. Moreover, not all API rating is safe for your car. With that being said, let’s dive into the substitutes for John Deere hydraulic oil.

Substitutes for John Deere Hydraulic Oil

Before choosing the substitute oil, keep in mind that John Deere uses oils of viscosity 10W-30.

  • MOBIL Fluid 424:

Mobil Fluid 424 is a mineral oil-based fluid. The viscosity of this fluid is equivalent to around SAE 10W-30. The fluid meets transmission and hydraulic fluid requirements. It is suitable to support agricultural equipments. These fluids are also known as multipurpose tractor lubricants. This fluid is great for reducing wet brake, along with PTO chatter.

  • Amsoil ATH:

AMSOIL is a synthetic motor oil that can withstand extreme heat. It is highly durable to shearing forces. Amsoil is known to fight viscosity breakdown better than Mobil 1. At a difference of about 46% more. It is also withstanding of high horse-power. And protects modern engines pretty well.

  • Chevron:

Chevron is an American multinational energy corporation that produces premium base oil. They sell motor oil and synthetic motor oil for cars.

  • Triax Agra UTTO:

They produce Universal full synthetic tractor hydraulic transmission oil. As it is a universal oil, it is compatible with many types of machinery. It is withstanding of high pressure. The versatile oil also includes anti-wear properties that protect your hydraulic system and make it long-lasting. It can flow in temperatures as low as -52oF.

  • Citgo Transguard Lo-Temp:

These too are multifunctional tractor hydraulic/transmission fluids. They lubricate the transmission, the differential and the final drive gears. They also serve as power steering. This also includes acting as a power brake, power take-off and an implement drive fluid. They maintain the proper friction and heat transfer.

  • Shell:

Shell uses fully synthetic motor oils. The oil’s manufacture from 100% synthetic base stock and high-quality additives ensures it’s performance better than regular synthetic or mineral oils. Shell engine oils have different viscosity for different types of oils.

  • Schaeffer:

They offer synthetic motor oil, diesel oil and engine oils. They offer strong oxidation and thermal stability. Schaeffer’s robust oils resist breaking down in higher operating temperatures, allowing your equipment to consistently run effectively. It can deliver a soot-busting performance. It minimizes wear, abrasion and scuffing. It provides cold weather startup protection.   

  • Valvoline:

Valvoline offers good engine motor oils. You can find a 10w-30 for your John Deere. The Valvoline oils help control heat, prevent deposits, sludge and reduce friction. The oil is not just efficient, it is affordable too. This is a full synthetic oil. It will enhance the performance of the engine right after the application.

  • Farm & Fleet:

These oils are specially designed for heavy-duty applications and reliable lubrication and performance. Citgo is the manufacturer of these oils. The 10W40 viscosity oils are usually used widely.

Among these, MOBIL Fluid 424 or AMSOIL may be your best choice.

Disadvantages of Using Substitute of Hy-Gard Transmissible Fluid

Although this blog is meant to give you an idea about substitutes for Hy-Gard, but one thing some people never do is to replace hydro fluids. This is because hydrostatic systems are extremely sensitive. And Hy-Gard is an exclusive premium oil, designed just for the hydrostatic system of John Deere. It is suitable for compact tractors systems, bulldozers etc.

You should not use anything other than Hy-Gard in your transaxle. But whatever you do, do not use type F fluid. Hy-Gard is thicker than type F oils and therefore the viscosity of type F is wrong for John Deere.

Although 10W30 synthetic oil from any band will be suitable, the Deere manufacturer provide some specific instructions for the type of fluid that should be used. It is better to not use just any 10W oil. Because although the viscosity might be the same, the chemical make up will not be the same. 

Advantages of Using Substitute of Hy-Gard Transmissible Fluid

The probable advantage I can think of is that the affordability of substitutes. Hy-Gard oil alone can be a bit expensive for some. But if you mix some proportions (according to the manufacturer’s instructions), you may be able to save around $5-8.

Moreover, Hy-Gard might not always be available at all places. And in remote places, online delivery is expensive and late. In this case, using any substitute is the rational choice.

Final Words

As Hy-Gard is costly, it is feasible to search for substitutes. The discussion above will surely help you make the right purchase for your John Deere hydro fluid.

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