ATF in splitter?
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I have run universal ATF in my 1988 splitter since, well, 1988. The pump may fly off into the woods tomorrow but it is running the original fill. Car trannies get more use in six months than a splitter gets in many years. And the only tranny I ever had crater was the one I regularly changed the fluid and filter.
Yeah. Yeah. I know. I was as aircraft mechanic on a hydraulic nightmare. The Chinook.
Yeah. Yeah. I know. I was as aircraft mechanic on a hydraulic nightmare. The Chinook.
Only con is cost. My tractor splitter has a 21gallon tank which would cost a mint in ATF so I just adjust the qty in the tank for winter use vs summer use.
BlankBlankBlank
Minister of Fire
Just bought a SpeeCo 25 ton splitter from Blains Farm & Fleet. Sales guy recommended that I pay $99.99 for the set-up rather than doing myself, since he said, the ATF will cost about $88 anyway, so for about $12, the mechanics will put it together and test. Well I normally don't hire anyone to do anything. Glad I did this time round. The ATF works great and will work great during the cold winter months in Wisconsin, better than standard hydraulic fluid I suspect.
CodyWayne718
Feeling the Heat
Badfish740
Minister of Fire
- Oct 3, 2007
- 1,539
How about changing fluid? My dad recently picked up a 20 ton Duerr and the procedure for changing the fluid is pretty complicated, calls for draining the system filling with kerosene, draining the kerosene, and then refilling with new fluid making sure to flush all of the kerosene. Is that really necessary? I figured it would be as simple as draining the old fluid, refilling, and changing the filter, sure a little old fluid will remain, but I don't think its a big deal-or is it?
Same thing I was trying to find out was the compatibility If I couldn't get all of the old hydraulic fluid out.
Gary
Gary
smokinj
Minister of Fire
salecker
Minister of Fire
Hi
You can mix hydraulic and ATF.I have a 950 Cat loader,the site glass for the hydraulic tank has been sandblasted.The hydraulic fluid is clear and a real groan to see through the glass.So every once in a while when it needs hydraulic fluid,i use a bucket of ATF,that colors the oil and you can see it better.No issues yet have been doing this for years.Works in all temps from hot in summer to cold in winter.
Mix away
Thomas
You can mix hydraulic and ATF.I have a 950 Cat loader,the site glass for the hydraulic tank has been sandblasted.The hydraulic fluid is clear and a real groan to see through the glass.So every once in a while when it needs hydraulic fluid,i use a bucket of ATF,that colors the oil and you can see it better.No issues yet have been doing this for years.Works in all temps from hot in summer to cold in winter.
Mix away
Thomas
salecker said:
Thanks! That was what I was looking for some real life experience. Just didn't want to end up with cement in it! :lol:
Gary
berlin
New Member
Depends how many gallons you need ($$$) but what a lot of guys with more expensive splitters and other hydraulic equiptment around here use is Kubota super UDT hydraulic fluid. It seems that even guys running various brands of equiptment swear by the kubota "super udt" stuff.
BlankBlankBlank
Minister of Fire
WoodNStuff said:
Shouldn't be a problem as ATF is designed as a high temp fluid. Iron & Oak Recomends atf in my splitter year-round.
I use ATF in my Ramsplitter. The manual says use either Hydraulic or ATF. The guys at F & F that assemble the splitters say ATF is all they use. Plus when you go to change, you know what's in there, if it's red, it's ATF. Suppose to be some kind of additive to help the seals too. Not sure what's what, but if cars can use it over and over again, I'd say it would be good for hot and cold temps. For me it was cheaper than Hydraulic fluid from F & F.
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