Fluids for Tractor

Oil
Coolent..
Tranny Hydrolic fluid

Amazing that the Hydrolic Fluid covers the Tranny, Hodrolics, and final dirve..

Any way reading the 5020 owners manuel, (don't have a 4020 owners manuel) it says I need some special John Deere 303 type Hydrolic fluid. Is there any other typ that would work just as well or do I have to go to the John deere dealer and get this stuff?

Then for the coolent is this just simple Antifreeze and water? Or is it some special John Deere coolent I need to specially buy?

Then the oil is it just something like Castrole or Penziol 10-W30, 10-W40 or is this something "special" as well...

Soft water has the calcium, magnesium salts removed and replaced with sodium or potassium.

Ask someone who maintains boilers.

Are you sure you dont mean deionized water? Distilled water is only water that has been boiled, and then the vapor has been condensed. This leaves all the goo and minerals and stuff behind, and leaves it pure.

Deionized water is very corrosive, and that would wreck any cooling system unless everything was stainless steel.

You are right that softened water is used in boilers, and its not overly corrosive. (It doesnt destroy the water heater and the pipes in your house, right?) But you are still taking a calcium (or magnesium, or iron) ion out of the water and swapping it with the sodium ion. The distilled water wont have either one...

Also, if you are talking about a steam boiler, those also "blow down" on a fairly regular basis to remove all of the concentrated ions and minerals that are left behind from boiling the water away.

Im just trying to clarify, not saying anything one way or the other...

~Bug

Don't believe me, ask a stationary engineer. I had three boiler operators shut down a project to put distilled water in the plant boiler room.

You can use what you want in your radiators.

Can we get some pictures of the tractor when ya get it home?

In spite of all the kiddin' around, we are all pacin' the floor and wishin' you well on your new/old tractor. Always glad to see someone take an interest in a "classic".

Good Luck with 'er,

Allan

notice: 'Littel farmall'

And you can bet I'll be here to give ya a hard time about the paint color and the hi-dollar expense of that jasper.

And don't ya be trying to talk me out of trading you my little 18 horse Farmall, neither. 'Cause I just ain't selling it! :>)

Allan

For the engine oil, anything 10W is way to light for a deisel engine unless in extreme cold, and then it's gotta be changed before doing much summer work. 15W-40 is what SHOULD be run in deisel engines. Just because a 30 year old manual says to use straight 30 wt. non-detergent oil, is no reason to try finding such oils. Use a modern oil that has a better additive package and is slightly lighter for cold weather start ups.

I'm not going to say what brand of oil to run, as long as it says on the label it's OK for deisel engines. We buy engine and hydraulic oil in drums from our Massey dealer, and run it in both our Massey's and Oliver's. Others like Shell, Mobel 1, etc.... I'm not getting into that war because the bottom line is, it's oil and it's better than running your engine without any oil.

Coolant is just a 50/50 mix of the green stuff, wouldn't hurt to add that conditioner like Bob stated. If it's really cold out, go to a 60/40 mix of antifreeze to distilled water.

The main thing is to use distilled water. I know people have run tap water without problems and I'm not going to tell them they have to switch, but tap water has minerals and other junk that doesn't belong in a cooling system. Besides, you can get it plenty cheap enough at the same place you buy your food, so there isn't any reason a guy can't afford a couple gallons to mix with the antifreeze.

Non of this has to purchased at Mother Deere, they are just another source of these fluids. For antifreeze, we ussually buy a gallon or 2 when it's on sale at Fleet Farm, and we try to have some mixed and ready to go at all times. Donovan from Wisconsin

BTW- did I miss you posting that you bought a 4020, or are you doing more research??

Keith

OK so I need to use 15W-40 for the motor. Correct?

Use universal hydrolic fluid that says "meets Deerer standards"

Use distilled water with Preston with some John Deere conditioner, is there anyone else who sales the "special conditioner"

Does this sound about right?

thanks this was GOOD stuff!

Donovan from Wisconsin

Not sure what the addtive would be called but other guys have mentioned it on here on a regular basis.

15w40 is right for the engine. We run it in everything on the farm, including our 2 gas tractors and my truck in the summer. (it really quiets down the lifters on my truck)

As long as the hydraulic oil meets the standard of deere for that tractor, it'll be fine. As to what those standards are, I have no idea because we don't run any Deere tractors, only a disk, corn planter & old Van Brunt drill. We have 2 Deere cylinders on the farm too.... Kinda a pain when a hose blows because they use the O-ring instead of a standard hose w/ pipe thread like all the other cylinders. That's why they stay mounted on their implements and don't get moved around when we need one. One stays on the plow and the other stays on the smaller 9' haybine. Wanna buy one? $100 for the yellow one and $150 for the rusted green one with the depth stop.... J/K.... We may have a few JD tips laying around though....

You may be able to buy a coolant for deisels with the additve already added, but you'd have to check the label.

Diff lock is a nice thing, really kinda wish Oliver had it on their monsters like our Massey's do. Still can't complain about our 1855 though...

Donovan from Wisconsin

Use Deere Hy-gard, or a generic "UTF" (Universal Tractor Fluid) that states on the label it meets DEERE specifications.

Using a product that DOESN'T meet Deere "spec's" COULD possibly damage the (wet) brakes. That is the area that would most likely affected by using the wrong hydraulic oil.

Ordinary antifreeze mixed 50-50 with distilled water is just fine. You could check into adding Deere coolant conditioner to help guard against cylinder sleeve pitting.

For most weather conditions, a 15-40 Diesel-rated oil is OK.

Lots of us run Delo or Rotella diesel oil, and most oil companies have thier own version of a diesel-rated oil.