Farm Equipment - WD HYD/Gear oils

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WD HYD/Gear oils

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=126082
Printed Date: 11 Sep 2025 at 4:42pm
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Topic: WD HYD/Gear oils

Posted By: WDDave
Subject: WD HYD/Gear oils
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2016 at 8:50pm

Hoping one of you guys can set me straight with fluids on my WD.
   I want to change all Hyd/gear oils ,already chaged gear lube in final drives.
   The book talks about the HYD filler plug is at front of torque tube I assume this is what the dipstick is checking.
   Then it says the trans/differential takes 17qts and is the next two drain/fill plugs back from the Hyd fill plug.
    Someone told me I could use HY/Tran for all these is that right?
If so are all these compartments open to each other?
     Or do I need to put 90W gear oil in the trans and or differential?

   Also the breather cap between the governor and distributor is that supposed to have oil in it?
   If so does it take same as engine oil?
Thanks

Replies:

Posted By: MACK
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 6:20am

Yes, use hy tran type oil in all.

The breather is where you fill engine oil. MACK

Posted By: corbinstein
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 6:35am

download the manual while you're at it...

Posted By: Allis dave
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 6:36am

Ok, I'll start an argument. The book says to use hydraulic fluid in the front hydraulic compartment with the dipstick, and it says to use 80-90 gear oil in the rear 2 transmission and rear end compartment.

THe front hydraulic compartment is supposed ot be separate, but these old tractors tend to have the seals separating the hyd and trans oil compartments go bad and mix oil. This is why some people use hyd fluid everywhere. THe back 2 trans and rear end compartments are separated by a bearing that is supposed to share oil between the 2. When filling the rear 2 compartments, fill up both compartments to the top of their fill plugs.

I think it's better to use gear gear oil in the trans and rear end if your goingwork the tractor hard for extended periods. New tractors DO use hyd fluid everywhere, but they also have trans pumps to pump fluid and often dump on top of gears.

If hyd fluid is such a great substitute why don't we fill all of our gear boxes with it, or the rear ends of our trucks? Then I wouldn't have to stock the 80-90 bucket in the shop

Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 7:31am

Universal type hydraulic/transmission fluid has adequate additives in it to be able to protect the entire driveline of a 600 HP Challenger or Quad-Trak. So, why wouldn't that be good enough for a 50 HP farm tractor that is 60 years old?? The only possible negative is the old tractor is probably more prone to leaks, and with the lighter oil, you will see them to be more pronounced. As far as gearboxes?? the same could be applied.....leaks will be more pronounced and when the oil quantity is only a couple of quarts, leaks wouldn't be good. Also, there could be a temperature issue in a gearbox, where the heavier viscosity will keep from thinning down too much when really hot. Personally, I have this type oil in my WD-45 tractor-ride tractor and after 60 miles in road gear, you can hold your hand on top of the differential housing and it's hardly even warm. Do what you want....either will work just fine.

Posted By: Stan IL&TN
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 7:36am

Like Dave I followed the book and used heavy weight oil in the rear and hydraulic oil in the other. It's worked for more than 50 years that way so I feel no reason to change now.

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1957 WD45 dad's first AC

1968 one-seventy

1956 F40 Ferguson

Posted By: Butch(OH)
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 8:00am

A person has to realize that the operators manual cannot recommend a lubricant that had not been developed when it it was written. We have superior lubricants these days, you can take advantage of them or stick with what was good enough 65 years ago, I don't think there is a right or wrong way but a choice. Our 49WD sees a good bit of service and has had hy/tran everywhere but the engine for 25 years. As for comparing new vs old designs if anything the older tractors had a LOT more surface area per HP on the gears than the new ones do. I think its urban legend that Hy tran will turn your oil dripper into a oil gusher, when you compare the viscosity it doesn't support it and neither does my practical experience. Yes it will lose a small amount more but not lots more.

Posted By: Allis dave
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 8:54am

My thought is that the thicker oil will thin down less and stick to the gears better as they climb out of the oil. Thinner oil would tend to run off. There would still be a coating on the gears though so it's probably not a big deal.

The designers could have said to use SAE 30 in the trans like they recommended in the hydraulic at the time, but they opted to use thicker gear oil. Maybe it was cheaper for 5 gallons? I don't know

That's my opinion and either oil will probably be fine, but gear oil is what I choose.

Posted By: WDDave
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 9:14am

Thanks Guys for you input, definitely a big help.
I think I will use Hy/Tran in both I wont be working it that hard and I'm sure if there are seals separating the Hydro from the trans/diff they are not separating anything by now so its probably not good to get 90W gear oil in my Hyro oil.
Thanks again for your input..

Posted By: TREVMAN
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 1:48pm

The Dr. is right, either way is going to be o.k. I use universal in my WD because its just handier to have one oil instead of two. I doubt there will be more or less wear to worry about. JMHO, Trev.

Posted By: DanD
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 2:00pm

When Allis came out with their 821 trans hydraulic oil they also recommended its use in pretty much everything in older machines as well. So to be technical the most recent recommendation for the transmission is the 821 type oil. I would use it if your tractor sees winter use. Otherwise I also think modern gear lube is fine too. This is one of those subjects everyone gets riled up about.

Posted By: Allis dave
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 2:06pm

Maybe next we should ask what weight engine oil to use! LOL

Posted By: DanD
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 4:14pm

Yes..and whether synthetic or conventional. Also who to vote for this fall and which church to go to on Sunday!

Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 8:36pm

Well I KNOW for a fact that JD says to use 30 in the hydrostatic units for some of their riders contrary to what the mfr(TuffTorque) says to use.So...after awhile of regular use the 30 vent away and hydro self destucts! TuffTorque says to use20W50 Synthetic ! I'm guessing it won't vent from over heating...

Jay

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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)

Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water