Smoother shifting means it is slipping more when it shifts.
Time will tell.

 

A lot of guys do this in a racing transmission, it raises the stall of the torque converter a few hundred rpm but doesn't seem to hurt anything. They usually add a quart or two of regular trans fluid just to give it some color so you can tell engine leaks from trans leaks and see the fluid on the dipstick.

 

If this tractor fluid is used on a street application , where the problems may arise is the lack of the proper additives for the control of moisture and other contaminants that build up over time

 

First time I heard of this was from guys who "raced" Demo Derby. Some of these cars are pretty trick.

But like has been pointed out already, the additive package is sorely lacking.

 

Thanks for the reply, good information. I did not think of the moisture retention issue. Everything seems fine for now, I will keep monitoring it.

 

A lot of guys do this in a racing transmission, it raises the stall of the torque converter a few hundred rpm but doesn't seem to hurt anything. They usually add a quart or two of regular trans fluid just to give it some color so you can tell engine leaks from trans leaks and see the fluid on the dipstick.

I really thought it was just the opposite, that it LOWERS the stall slightly. I've heard it being used to "tighten up" a "too loose" converter. Adding something to tractor fluid to make leaks easier to locate makes good sense. Butch/junior stocker.

 

I really thought it was just the opposite, that it LOWERS the stall slightly. I've heard it being used to "tighten up" a "too loose" converter. Adding something to tractor fluid to make leaks easier to locate makes good sense. Butch/junior stocker.

You may be right and I may have it crossed up, I have never done it and only heard about it. Just seems like a poor idea to me anyway.

 

Lots of misinformation.

Tractor hyd/trans fluid is equivalent to Dexron. It actually cross references to Dexron when used in tractor applications.

It isn't a legal ATF for highway use because it isn't dyed red.
So it can't be sold for highway use.

It has a higher temp rating than Dexron.

If it had a "sorely lacking" additive package, I'm sure it wouldn't be OEM spec for warranty in a half a million dollar machine such as a combine or other heavy equipment.

It works well from our experience. There are two different common viscosities and it's better to use the thinner of the two.

 

is the hyd fluid I'd find in my local parts store.. in a 5 gallon jug.. going to work like dexIII..
I'd think even tractors would have a hyd fluid for the hyd tools, and another type that you'd dump in the transmission/pto
or is it one and the same.. I'm asking because I don't know... but the hyd fluid I bought and put in the holding tank of my 560c case.. backhoe..
didn't flow like any transfluid I've ever used.. but again , not sure if the drivetrain was using the fuild in that holding tank... the backhoe arm seals leaked.. and when low.. it'd have gears.. but no arm movement..

 

good clarification Jake.

i was thinking of the tractor hydraulic fluid some race guys run , this would be the straight hydraulic oil

 

I don't know. I think I'd be looking for PROOF that Hydra-Trans is DEXRON compatible.

Many things seem to "work just fine" when you first put them in.

For example, there's been more than a few farm boys around here that thought it would be a good idea to use ATF in their hydraulic jacks, too ... until they had seals go out on them.

I'd suggest that you buy your DEXRON in a 4L jug, or go to a petroleum bulk place with your own 5-gal pail or 50-gal drum ... but use DEXRON.

 

I don't know. I think I'd be looking for PROOF that Hydra-Trans is DEXRON compatible.

Here's your proof:
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENCVLMOMobilfluid_424.asp

Notice the print:

Suitable for commercial transmission applications requiring Type A (Suffix A), Dexron and Type F fluids. Do not use in passenger car automatic transmissions

COMMERCIAL applications since it is not DOT approved due to lack of red dye.

Notice the list of other tractor fluids that also cross reference at the bottom of the page.

1 minute on Google and you have proof.

I've done considerable research into the various fluids. There is nothing wrong with Dexron and it is my usual recommended fluid. However using a higher quality fluid (tractor hyd trans fluid in this case) that cross references will not cause any harm and in many cases has been proven to work better (extreme racing conditions).

In many commerical vehicles only one fluid is used in all the various assemblies. Engines, trans, axles, hubs, etc.
When you've poured the vehicle manufacturers OEM spec'd 15W-40 engine oil into an automatic transmission as many times as I have you won't worry about using a fluid that actually cross references to Dexron in one.

 

I was referring to the hardware store variety hydraulic fluid. My apologies for mistaking that for the "tractor transmission fluid" the OP was talking about.

The following was also provided in the link above:

"Suitable for commercial transmission applications requiring Type A (Suffix A), Dexron and Type F fluids. Do not use in passenger car automatic transmissions

"May be used in applications requiring API GL-4 or SAE 80W grade lubricants in all gear applications except hypoid gear designs

"Outstanding replacement for engine oils recommended for hydraulic and transmission systems"

Sounds like some tough stuff. I wonder how the cost compares to ATF. Does it being thicker affect the operation of a car tranny negatively in any way?

EDIT- Checking a couple sites, About $3/qt. when buying 5 gall. buckets ($58/5 gall).

 

counter point:

as far back as 2001 heavy duty tranny manufacturers bulletins have said do not use generic tractor hyd tranny oil "meets" spec labeled oils (which the Walmart oil is)...

http://www.allisontransmission.com/documents/product/13-TR-90, Rev E.pdf

heavy duty trannys operate with ALOT more qts of fluid than a car tranny so total contamination and breakdown % will take much longer...
so you saved a few bucks up front with tractor tranny oil but now your required fluid change interval has shortened...
(lab testing is too expensive)
race cars change fluids based on just short hours of use intervals when using tractor oil...

hey,,,
if it is a buy food for the kids or buy needed tranny fluid empty wallet condition (or a junk yard tranny to get you by),,,tractor tranny oil does work

lack of color dye is not why it says don't use in cars...
compare the physical properties chart of the Mobil 424 tractor tranny oil with this Mobil synthetic ATF...

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/NAUSENPVLMOMobil_1_Synthetic_ATF.asp

just my $.02:
in the tranny is the one place synthetic oil operating properties are worth the extra bucks for long tranny life...
(especially in a hot rod build)

 

I've been a tractor mechanic for around 35 years now.. and in all of our overloaded service trucks we always used tractor fluids,, since we had a unlimited supply.. never had a problem.. and since we also pulled a trailer with a bobcat or welder ,,,box full of tools,, bunch of heavy parts .. we were WAY overloaded...BUT i cannot say that you using it in a car will be ok...I don't see that you can abuse your toy as much as we did on our service trucks though..

 

Allison trans and newer GM trans use DEX VI, not DEX III. Hy-Tran is DEX III fluid. DO NOT put this in a DEX VI application. Roasted trans is the result.

 

Going back, and reading Studebaker's original post ... I'm going to stand by my recommendation to just buy DEXRON III in whatever quantities it takes to satisfy your cost concerns.

Valvoline #349 -- 5 US gallon -- $66.39 at Napa Online

It doesn't sound to me like he intends to change the contents of his TH350 (what -- 12 quarts, TOPS?) after every 1/4 mile pass. So even if he saves $5.00 per quart ... we're talking $60.00 (yeah 60 bux!)

The *perceived* savings of "tractor fluid" (which is suggested to be compatible with Type A and F???) versus using the intended and approved fluid? That just isn't a justifiable risk in my mind! :nono:

As to the "it's good enough for my million dollar combine" argument ...

NASA uses rocket fuel in their 1.7-BILLION dollar space shuttle, but you won't see me trying to power my old truck with it.

 

NASA uses rocket fuel in their 1.7-BILLION dollar space shuttle, but you won't see me trying to power my old truck with it.

LOL You sure won't- the fuel part of the solid fuel rocket booster of the shuttle is powdered aluminum- like what goes into a cherry bomb! Matter of fact, if you mix the NASA oxidiser- ammonium perchlorate 70/30 w/powdered Al, you get exactly that- a cherry bomb. Except the usual oxidiser is potassium perchlorate.

But I totally get your point.

 

Going back, and reading Studebaker's original post ... I'm going to stand by my recommendation to just buy DEXRON III in whatever quantities it takes to satisfy your cost concerns.

Valvoline #349 -- 5 US gallon -- $66.39 at Napa Online

It doesn't sound to me like he intends to change the contents of his TH350 (what -- 12 quarts, TOPS?) after every 1/4 mile pass. So even if he saves $5.00 per quart ... we're talking $60.00 (yeah 60 bux!)

The *perceived* savings of "tractor fluid" (which is suggested to be compatible with Type A and F???) versus using the intended and approved fluid? That just isn't a justifiable risk in my mind! :nono:

As to the "it's good enough for my million dollar combine" argument ...

NASA uses rocket fuel in their 1.7-BILLION dollar space shuttle, but you won't see me trying to power my old truck with it.

First a bit of background,
I make a living building automatic transmissions for racing and extreme applications. 90% of what I build is for 500+ HP/TQ applications.
I have also progressed into some design work with the hydraulics of specific transmissions.
So suffice it to say, I have a better than average understanding of an auto trans.
I RECOMMEND the tractor/transmission fluid on extreme applications.
Not due to a "perceived cost savings" on fluid but a cost savings on how often we have to freshen up the clutches on a 1000 HP application.

We have used it in multiple difference applications from daily drivers to 1000+ HP drag racing combos that may sit on the brake for 3-4 seconds generating fluid temps in the torque converter of over 400 degrees.

Our experience indicates that it works, and works very well. It has resulted in lower operating temps in SOME cases. In all cases we seem to have less clutch deterioration in demanding applications. Less frequent freshening and when we do tear them down, the clutches look better.

I contribute this to the fluid being a higher quality, higher temp resistance, and less friction modifiers.

We're not talking about rocket fuel in a internal combustion engine, we're talking about two fluids that cross-reference and are compatible and similar.
The discussion is obviously above the technical understanding of some involved.

How many automatic transmissions have the various posters on this forum rebuilt?
I can vouch for myself and Crosley, since we both do it for a living.

 

kinda' further counter point:

what tractor tranny fluid doesn't have is the "exceeds JASO-1A" test cerificate labeling which most ATF's now carry...
(jaso is the japanese SAE society)
JASO-1A is a current auto tranny "clutch" performance test standard...

the letters "GL" in the exceeds ASI GL-4 tests stands for "gear lube" tests on the tractor fluid jug label....
(agree with jake tractor tranny fluid has excellent max temp oil film failure properties)

LOL,,,find me a tractor tranny oil with both the JASO-1A and GL-4 approved (and a recommended change interval) on the jug label and I will buy it in a heartbeat...

for extreme applications the tractor tranny better gear lube (no metal to metal) properties are the priority...
it's just not the whole story so far as total tranny fluid performance is concerned on a street car....

PS:
a possible reason that mobilfluid 424 sheet says commercial use only is it has zinc diorthophosphate in it...

and the basic reason tranny fluid is red is to identify it as tranny fluid...

 

tractor fluid

Here is an update on using the tractor fluid in a T350 after 2 1/2 years. I have about 12,000 miles on the transmission. Transmission (turbo 350) still works fine. I have not had any reliability issues. The trans did develop slow drip at the shifter shaft seal at 3,200 miles. I replaced the seal which cured the leak, so I don't think it was related to the fluid. Transmission still shifts fine and has no slipping or any other problems.

 

I used John Deere hydraulic fluid in a 2005 Jeep Grand cherokee power steering system. At 72,000 miles the pump went south and the fluid was black nd thin. I flushed it with the JD fluid and then filled it.
That was 2 years ago. Like what jakeshoe said, if its good enough for a half million dollar piece of equiptment......:thumbup:

 

bit the bullet.

I recently decided to (bite the bullet) and started using the tractor trans fluid in all my tractors and other vehuicles , chevy, Ford, massey fergusen etc, equipment, (17 vehicle) . None have developed any transmission issues, I had a mountain drive with my 1947 willy's jeep (cj2a) that I would like you to know about. I was on an outing (hunting trip) an proceeded up a approximeately 9 mile grade in the cascade mountains here in north central Washingtion. This was tight steep dirt road with many switchbacks, the tranny was always under constant heavy load. My little jeep was converted by me using a straight front axle, 53 chevy truck spindles, the rear is a 8" ford 28 spline open narrowed to fit in the jeep, 3.25 gears. none posi. Engine is a stock SJ 327 chevy, 2 bbl. with a homebuilt turbo 350 trans. I have been using tractor fluid in the trans since it was rebuilt. As previously stated, On one outing, I encountered a long steep 9 mile climb in the wildernes, the trans was under constant load and got so hot that it started melting the plastic wiring looms around and above it, it also melted the shifter cable. even-thought this transmission excedded the max temprature it should have ever deal with it, still operates fine. I beleive the tractor fluid is significantly better that the automotive auto tranny fluids availaible over the counter. (Just my $.23 cents worth adjusted for inflation).