Best Motor Oil and Transmission Oil Suggestions - 350B

[Hutch350B]

First I am not being lazy, have spent the last 30 mins searching for this on the board but believe it or not it is amazing how many post have motor oil and/or hydraulic oil along with the word best, suggested or recommended in them LOL

So, I have my manuals and have found the post where the oil and hydraulic oil from JD is Torq-Gard 30# and Special Purpose 303 oils but I wanted to compare what it would cost me for a comparable substitute from O'reileys etc but I am not sure what to ask for.

I will purchase the all the filters from the local JD dealer but usually the "Dealer" brand oils are considerably more expensive that what you can buy at the auto parts store and as far as I can tell no one has ever been able to point out a legitimate difference or benefit to me.

So what are you guys suggestions for aftermarket motor oil and hydraulic oils?

Or are John Deeres oil prices comparable and I should just get them?

Or is there some special secret formula in JD's oil that makes it worth the extra $$?

From what I can tell the motor oil is just a straight 30 weight unless your in coil weather then you use 5w-30 right? No special ash content or diesel type or oil needed?

And the operators manual calls for the same 303 special purpose oil in the final drives as your hydraulics and transmission/reverser....but I thought I remembered you guys talking about using 90 weight in the finals. Can anyone clear this up for me?

Any brands, suggestions or comments will be appreciated

[Lavoy]

For engine oil, get a good 15W-40 and don't worry about it. You can get Rotella T, or Mobil Delvac at most Wal-marts. Some Wal-marts will have trans fluid under the old 303 label still. The modern Deere name is Hy-Gard, any oil labeled as meeting that standard or having that equivalency will be fine.
Yes, finals run the hygard too, seems odd, but that is the way it is. I even found a reference in a very old service bulletin on the two cylinders that makes me believe at one time they left the factory with a lighter weight oil in the finals.
Lavoy

[jtrichard]

at O'reileys you want to get tractor/transmission fluid not the hydraulic fluid its about $10 more yes it goes in everything but the engine i was at a JD dealer parts department and ask for some GO 90 and though they would laugh me out of the place they dont carry any gear oil as deere uses 303 in everything

[Hutch350B]

Thank you very much Lavoy. Done a search at the local walmart and found this

http://www.walmart.com/ip/SuperTech-303 ... l/23554904

Imagine that and they also keep the Rotella T in stock at my local Wally world so this is a good deal

Thank you very much,
Hutch

[jtrichard]

yes wal mart has the same stuff just watch don't get the hydraulic get the tractor/transmission