A.T.F. Alternative

workshopman · Jun 24, 2022

We have a MF 290 4x4 tractor, an old UK model that we use A.T.F for it's power steering, we ran out of A.T.F and have to wait till we can get more. But as I work for Ebenezer Scrooge they want the tractor in the field now. So someone genius in our workshop said we can use 15W40 thinned out with diesel as an alternative for A.T.F

That's just stupid, it's not gonna work, right? It's an accident waiting to happen.

Aaron SEIA · Jun 24, 2022

It'd be 3 days to order some from Amazon. Unless you live a forever drive from the parts store, just run to town and get more.
AaronSEIA

caterpillar guy · Jun 24, 2022

It would work except for the possibility of the seals swelling that they might not do with ATF or even just engine oil in there. I use engine oil in My semi since the pump is mounted to the engine so I don't get a mixing of oils with something different from the pump if the seal goes out. I have run it that way since new in 2000 to present with no problems and it has 1,150,000 on the clock. I do take the reservoir off and drain and change the filter in there every so often thoug along with new oil.

Jim.ME · Jun 24, 2022

Where are you located? Around here a trip to the local parts store, Walmart, or hardware store would get some ATF, quicker than getting an answer from a forum.

Change it over to a Universal Transmission Hydraulic Fluid (UTHF) as used in most transmissions and hydraulic systems now. It should meet the MF Permatran-III specs (or AGCO 821, John Deere Hy Gard, Case Hy-Tran, etc.).

workshopman · Jun 24, 2022

In South Africa, and we're about 30 to 45mins drive from town. Like I said I work for Ebenezer Scrooge, he doesn't want to wait.

workshopman · Jun 24, 2022

30 - 45min drive from town. Scrooge doesn't care, he wants it working, now. No excuses. And to make things worse, he new we needed to
buy stock but said no, there's no money for that now. But they can stock the citrus pack house with what ever they need every single
day. I'm not taking responsibility for that tractors breakdown. Hell no.

workshopman · Jun 24, 2022

I don't think they'll buy a new pump or even a repair kit, those are insanely expensive. South Africa does not have the best economy. Then again neither does the rest of the world. It might be that the local suppliers are just extra greedy.

kcm.MN · Jun 24, 2022

(quoted from post at 04:00:51 06/24/22) In South Africa, and we're about 30 to 45mins drive from town. Like I said I work for Ebenezer Scrooge, he doesn't want to wait.

While I'm in North America (Minnesota), I am also a 40-minute drive from town, providing best conditions apply.

I have to ask, who pays for mistakes made around there? If you do, then stand your ground. If fiddle-wallet does, then stop worrying and just do as they want and let them deal with the fallout later.

workshopman · Jun 24, 2022

Unfortunately, I'm the one that has to fork out the cash for mistakes, whether I'm at fault or not. They're quick to point out someone
else's mistake and make them pay for it, literally. And refuse to except that they made any kind of mistake and that it's your fault and
you have to pay for it. And just trying to stand up for my rights as an employee can cost me my job. And if you think that sound
impossible, don't for get I live in the third most corrupt country in the world. Every time someone from the gov. related to workers
rights yada yada yada, they get bribed and nothing comes of it. We just keep going and try not to murder someone. It's a vicious circle.

Jim.ME · Jun 24, 2022

You don't tell us what you have available for oils/fluids available to use, which might allow for giving you a best option within your currently in stock products. Do you have a fluid like the MF Permatran III ? Use it, I think the Operator's Manual will tell you that is the recommended fluid. If you use any engine or hydraulic oil, don't thin it with diesel fuel.

People here can provide ideas to help with tractor issues. Unfortunately we can not do a thing for your apparent issues with your employers. (https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?p=10545279&highlight=#10545279)

workshopman · Jun 24, 2022

We don't any branded oils, we do have some cheap 15W40. And transmission oil for the cotton picker, not sure if that will work. And TQH
Hydraulic for the TLB. That's about it, if any of that will work then I'll take it.

kcm.MN · Jun 24, 2022

Let me get this straight -- you, as an employee, are in charge of spending the necessary money on repairs/parts? That only makes sense if you're the owner of the machinery.

workshopman · Jun 24, 2022

I'd spend any thing, I have to ask permission to spend on what ever we need and I have to get quote from where every it is the cheapest.
Sucks to be me, at least I get paid for it. Unless you know someone that's hiring, I'll even scrub toilets if I have to, as long as it's
not here. Besides we don't have a lot oils in stock so to choose from but any advice on what we that can do the job will be appreciated.

Jim.ME · Jun 24, 2022

(quoted from post at 07:41:09 06/24/22) We don't any branded oils, we do have some cheap 15W40. And transmission oil for the cotton picker, not sure if that will work. And TQH
Hydraulic for the TLB. That's about it, if any of that will work then I'll take it.

Transmission oil could be 80-140 type gear oil, UTHF, many different oils get called transmission oil. More info is needed to identify what you have. What is the transmission oil? Brand, product name, weight? The TQH might be an option. Again, some details of just what it is would help. If you have to get it going put the 15W40 in it, it will work. No warranty on anything as far as not failing, regardless of what you put in it from the oils you have in stock. My guess is it has already been run dry at least once, from the way you describe the operation where you work.

Jim.ME · Jun 24, 2022

Welcome to the world outside of the USA. Workers paying for mistakes or breakage is not unheard of in many places. Years ago I was involved with some machinery moved from overseas by air. There was a crew that traveled with the plane, which was responsible for loading and unloading. In talking with the loadmaster for the equipment (not in charge of the crews work terms with the plane's owners) he said the workers got docked if they broke a tool or even a 2x4 they used for their work.

workshopman · Jun 24, 2022

The Transmission oil is from Engine, its AgriFluid range. According to the info on the container it can work as both hydraulic and
transmission. I want to try the TQH, but I'm leaning more to the AgriFuild, I think it might a little thinner than TQH. I'm gonna do
some testing. If I had some Hytran Transmission oil left I would have use that instead.

kcm.MN · Jun 24, 2022

Makes me wonder what happens when an engine blows a head gasket, or when the oil is due for changing.

JK-NY · Jun 24, 2022

I use hydraulic oil (utf) in my Ford 4000 which has it's own pump and reservoir for the steering. I don't think much of the 15-40 and diesel fuel , I think I would use the 15w-40 straight if you have no other options, but I would recommend utf.

PJH · Jun 24, 2022

I think I'd set the available choices on a shelf and have Mr. Scrooge pick which one he wanted to use in HIS machine, but then that's easy for me to say with no skin in the game. Good luck to you.

workshopman · Jun 24, 2022

Total Sh!t storm, that's what happens. Then everyone gets it.

workshopman · Jun 24, 2022

Unfortunately I don't have UTF, and with some testing I found that the AgriFluid is a bit thinner than TQH, still not sure if it's safe to use. That steering pump was overhauled, twice. I have no idea if it can handle AgriFluid so well enough. I'm gonna risk it.

DeltaRed · Jun 24, 2022

I would use hydralic oil before engine oil. But,if the boss says use it,use it. If it goes boom,it's his baby,not yours.

DeltaRed · Jun 24, 2022

From what you are saying about Scrooge,I believe I'd leave ASAP. Before he makes me pay for a blown engine.He is getting rich at your expence. He doesnt deserve to have you. Get gone....There are other jobs with employers that will value and appreciate you.

workshopman · Jun 24, 2022

Damn right. But it's quitting time, with all the back and forth arguing I've been doing today, time flew out the windows. But I went with the AgriFluid just to get it going. I told the Scrooge whether he likes it or not I'm stocking up on what we need, this sh!t ends here. Got an earful, but I'm still stocking up on what we need, I'm not having this sh!t again.

DeltaRed · Jun 24, 2022

I'll bet Scrooge lives in a big fancy house,drives a high end car and has a fat wallet and bank acct. Yet he doesnt pay his employees a liveing wage and is constantly complaining how broke he is and pinches every penny.I've worked for guys like that.

Tony in SD · Jun 24, 2022

I thought you were talking about Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms.

RodinNS · Jun 24, 2022

I'd use TDH or hydraulic oil before engine oil or ATF... but if you have a seal leak in the pump I'd use 15W40. I'm not familiar with that model but I'm assuming it has a separate pump/system for the steering.

Rod

miangus · Jun 24, 2022

I have used 15-40 Rotella in my MF 65 when the power steering pump was leaking into the engine sump.

caterpillar guy · Jun 24, 2022

Either one will work engine oil or a UTF I use UTF in the pickup with the leak at the steering box and engine oil as explained on the semi with the pump mounted to the engine. Old Gleaner Combines used to use engine oil for the hydraulics on them all the time. Deere used to call for engine oil in the hydraulics on some of their equipment supposedly it didn't foam like the 303 equivalent did according to our at the time dealer who was the owner I was talking to at the time.

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