The selection of hydraulic oil for mobile equipment may seem complex and confusing at first. This guide aims to clear the confusion by explaining the different types of fluids in the market. When reviewing different equipment manuals, you will notice many different oil specifications depending on the OEM and the equipment type.
You may see recommendations for universal tractor transmission oil, anti-wear hydraulic oil, zinc free hydraulic oil, TO-4 transmission drive train oil, and more. These varying recommendations can leave one confused and asking, “Is there one hydraulic oil I could use in all of my mobile equipment?” This is a question our technical team is asked frequently; after all, hydraulic systems perform similar duties, and some components, like pumps and valves, can be common across different OEM brands.