Oil & Fuel - Substitute for JDM J20A, or Hyguard, or Quatrol... (2024)

Oct 4, 2017 / Substitute for JDM J20A, or Hyguard, or Quatrol...

#1

N

Newtonx1

New member
Joined
Oct 2, 2017
Messages
9
Location
Hillsboro, MO
Tractor
1985 Deere 950

    I'm sure this has been discussed many times but I can't find anything relatively recent. I just purchased an 85 JD 950 with a Westendorf loader and JD 8 back-hoe. I am going through the fluids and yesterday was told by the JD dealer that their fluid (Hyguard) was $80 for a 5 gallon bucket. WTF!!!? $16 per gallon is a bit ridiculous! I don't have $160 to spend on fluid that may end up being replaced again in the spring. Are there any decent substitutes out there, in the $35-45 per 5 gallon range?

    When looking at the user manual that came with the machine I fall into the right side...

    Thanks for the assist!

    Oct 4, 2017 / Substitute for JDM J20A, or Hyguard, or Quatrol...

    #2

    O

    oldnslo

    Super Member
    Joined
    Jan 20, 2010
    Messages
    7,015
    Location
    Northern, IL
    Tractor
    Branson 2400H, JD X540

      Most tractor supply stores have a universal hydraulic fluid. I would suggest reading the labels to see if any of them state they meet the specs of JD J20A or Hyguard.

      Oct 4, 2017 / Substitute for JDM J20A, or Hyguard, or Quatrol...

      #3

        Many aftermarket hyd oil shows they meet the bare bones j20 specs from the late 60's/early 70's....however there is no real regulation to prove that they meet the claims. To avoid the ones that are most likely not able to meet the specs the package will say something along the lines of "recommended where j20c is specified" instead of actually making the claim that they meet the specs. They are basically saying they did not meet the 40 some year old spec w/out actually saying it.

        Oct 4, 2017 / Substitute for JDM J20A, or Hyguard, or Quatrol...

        #4

        B

        beenthere

        Super Star Member
        Joined
        Aug 16, 2001
        Messages
        18,103
        Location
        Southern Wisconsin, USA
        Tractor
        JD_4x2_Gator, JD_4300, JD_425, JD_455 AWS, added JD_455, JD_110, JD_X485(sold)

          Wouldn't be taking any such chances on my watch.. Oil is cheap compared to the possible repair bills. IMO

          Oct 4, 2017 / Substitute for JDM J20A, or Hyguard, or Quatrol...

          #5

          TractorGuy

          Elite Member
          Joined
          Sep 15, 2013
          Messages
          4,611
          Location
          N. FL
          Tractor
          John Deere 4310 CUT, Ford New Holland 575E Industrial Backhoe, John Deere F725 Front Mount Mower

            Label on Traveler (Tractor Supply) Brand Premium Hyd Fluid. Normally sells for $37. They run it on sale some times for $29. I have got lucky once or twice and found it on sale while I had a 10% off coupon. That's when I buy 5 or 6 buckets to keep on hand.

            Oil & Fuel - Substitute for JDM J20A, or Hyguard, or Quatrol... (3)

            Oct 5, 2017 / Substitute for JDM J20A, or Hyguard, or Quatrol...

            #6

            Wagtail

            Super Star Member
            Joined
            Jan 15, 2013
            Messages
            11,985
            Location
            St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
            Tractor
            JD 4105 / JD Z355E (48" deck)

              beenthere said:

              Wouldn't be taking any such chances on my watch.. Oil is cheap compared to the possible repair bills. IMO


              x2.

              Also, why would the OP be looking to replace/change all of the hydraulic

              again

              , come (your) Spring? :confused3:

              Oct 5, 2017 / Substitute for JDM J20A, or Hyguard, or Quatrol...

              • Thread Starter

              #7

              OP

              N

              Newtonx1

              New member
              Joined
              Oct 2, 2017
              Messages
              9
              Location
              Hillsboro, MO
              Tractor
              1985 Deere 950

                Wagtail said:

                x2.

                Also, why would the OP be looking to replace/change all of the hydraulic

                again

                , come (your) Spring? :confused3:

                It's not that I'm looking to, I don't know a lot about this tractor. Picked it up for a song and it's been sitting outside for 4 or so years. I've read in many forums that guys run into the same issue (phlegm like fluids on the screen and more water in the system) as things begin to warm up. My intent is to put new in and check again in the spring.

                Oct 5, 2017 / Substitute for JDM J20A, or Hyguard, or Quatrol...

                #8

                B

                beenthere

                Super Star Member
                Joined
                Aug 16, 2001
                Messages
                18,103
                Location
                Southern Wisconsin, USA
                Tractor
                JD_4x2_Gator, JD_4300, JD_425, JD_455 AWS, added JD_455, JD_110, JD_X485(sold)

                  "Picked it up for a song" then for sure I'd go with best fluid you can. If there is an eventual problem, at least you can say for sure it was not the fluid that you found cheap.. again, just my opinion and how I'd proceed.

                  But you could drain the fluid, check out the condition of the screen and then make the decision.. if it looks bad, then put in cheap to run til Spring and flush the system.
                  Then exchange with new oil and figure you have the system cleaned up much better.

                  Wish you well and a long-term great investment in the 950.

                  Oct 5, 2017 / Substitute for JDM J20A, or Hyguard, or Quatrol...

                  #9

                  Tx Jim

                  New Member
                  Joined
                  Jan 26, 2007
                  Messages
                  10,035
                  Location
                  Coyote Flats,Tx
                  Tractor
                  JD 4255/Kubota M7040 HDC

                    IMHO the cheapest grade hyd oil that meets 303 spec's will be more than adequate for a JD 950. IIRC 950 had dry type clutches & brakes.

                    Oct 5, 2017 / Substitute for JDM J20A, or Hyguard, or Quatrol...

                    • Thread Starter

                    #10

                    OP

                    N

                    Newtonx1

                    New member
                    Joined
                    Oct 2, 2017
                    Messages
                    9
                    Location
                    Hillsboro, MO
                    Tractor
                    1985 Deere 950

                      beenthere said:

                      "Picked it up for a song" then for sure I'd go with best fluid you can. If there is an eventual problem, at least you can say for sure it was not the fluid that you found cheap.. again, just my opinion and how I'd proceed.

                      But you could drain the fluid, check out the condition of the screen and then make the decision.. if it looks bad, then put in cheap to run til Spring and flush the system.
                      Then exchange with new oil and figure you have the system cleaned up much better.

                      Wish you well and a long-term great investment in the 950.

                      Thanks. It was milky white and the screen was damaged, tore and covered in "snot". A friend recommended just that, run it with el cheapo, drain it and fill it with the good stuff.

                      Appreciate the assist!

                      Oil & Fuel - Substitute for JDM J20A, or Hyguard, or Quatrol... (2024)

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