Hydraulic fluid for MTD/TB gas splitter

[Jay H]

From the manual"

3. Fill the reservoir tank with hydraulic fluid included with
this unit (if equipped) or approved fluids which include
Dexron® III / Mercon® III automatic transmission fluid,
a 10 Weight AW hydraulic oil or Pro-Mix™ AW-32
Hydraulic Oil.

So I can actually use ATF? The unit has hydraulic fluid in it, but I don't know if the dealer bled the pump yet which is self-bleeding so the manual says run the wedge 12 times with a full cycle and then check the hyd. fluid reservoir level and top off so I plan on doing this afterwork after picking up some hydraulic oil or ATF....

Jay

 

[velvetfoot]

The consensus at Habor Freight was that it didn't make that much of a difference.
Auto trans fluid might be good if you'll use it in winter, but I imagine it'll warm up at some point.
I've read not to overfill, cause the fluid expands and could spill out.
I guess I'll have to "top up" too on mine, but mine does not have a dipstick.
The literature just said to fill up with xx quarts (I forget).
I'd try to match the fluid though.

 

[Bones]

Do not mix them !

 

[Jay H]

Do not mix them !

I bought the Pro-Mix AW 32 from Lowes, I have a feeling they are related anyway since Lowes carries the Troy/Bilt and Pro-Mix stuff and that's the only hydraulic fluid I could find there anyway and it's mentioned by name in the TB manual...

Topped it off and split about a cord of wood on sunday... busy busy busy... I will finish off the rounds I have today and then I start cutting more!

Jay

 

[snowfreak]

I ran Dexron III in mine all last year (about 10 full cord) and the fluid looked and smelled good when I replaced it. I think this year I'll just replace the filter if the fluid looks that good again.