Oil for John Deere |

This topic has 7 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 7 months ago by Bob Rooks.

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- May 12, 2011 at 1:50 pm #30299
  mbrance
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  Anybody have any idea on oil equivalent for John Deere power steering on 1957 520.
  
  Local dealer does not stock any more. They only order by case.
  
  Thanks,
  
  Mike
- May 12, 2011 at 2:05 pm #32293
  SpringValley
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  Power steering was optional on the 520. Most people just put ATF in them. Some people used power steering fluid. It's just a standard add on pump and cylinder setup. There was nothing special that I remember about them.
- May 12, 2011 at 4:55 pm #32298
  RichWaugh
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  I had an old 50-something International Harvester 2-1/2 ton truck that had that same sort of add-on power steering system and I used whatever was the cheapest hydraulic oil I could find, usually ATF or AW-32. I couldn't tell any real operating difference among the various fluids I poured through that leaky SOB. And nothing in the way of various patent medicine stop-leaks did a thing for it. Back then, (in the 70's), it was cheaper to keep on straining fluid through it than to actually fix the leaks. In five or six years I'm sure I ran ten or more gallons of fluids through it. Interestingly, the motor never used so much as a teaspoon of oil between changes.
- May 12, 2011 at 5:33 pm #32301
  mbrance
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  This tractor is the first with power steering as an option that was not an add on.
  
  Its built into the pedestal and the pump is run off belt. The dealer wont buy case because nobody buys it so for one quart you have to buy 12 quarts. I dont know whats special about it but John Deere says you cant run anything else. Im guessing it is just a hydraulic AW oil. I just dont want to mix.
  
  I figured if anybody would know it would be on the sight as it has helped me before.
  
  Thanks
  
  Mike
- May 12, 2011 at 5:36 pm #32302
  Tinbender
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  I have a 1955 Dodge Royal Hardtop with the typewriter 2 speed automatic. It runs just fine on AW32
  
  The old boy I got it from had ran it like that for years, the factory recommended ATF has not been made by anyone since the sixties.
- May 12, 2011 at 10:19 pm #32303
  Bob Rooks
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  AW 32 hydraulic oil or machine oil if the system is for steering only. I would caution against using any type of ATF due to the addition of friction modifiers for use with bands and clutches, not to mention the increased cost.
  
  If you have a JD part number I might be able to find the spec and cross reference it for you.
  
  Account deleted.
- May 14, 2011 at 4:09 pm #32334
  mbrance
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  John Deere p/n AF2235R
  
  Bottle says “Oil meet John Deere Specification JDT312 For use in John Deere tractors manufactured prior to 1960 and other closed-circulation systems”
  
  Hope this is something that can be crossed to an easily available oil.
  
  Thanks,
  
  Mike
- May 14, 2011 at 6:28 pm #32335
  Bob Rooks
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  That is a very old spec. Closest oil that meets that is a gear oil compound EP 68 (third row down). Not sure if I'd use that in a tractor hydraulic system though.
  
  Virtually all petroleum companies formulate EP 68 gear oil, so if you want to go in that direction, take your pick. My closest recommendation would be ISO AW 68 hydraulic oil since it also has an AGMA rating.
  
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