The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts hydraulic fluid for dump bed

Is there any way I can determine what type of oil to add to my dump bed? OR, will mixing mineral oil and hydraulic fluid be ok so I don't need to worry about it? Truck is a 57 6300 grain truck. Dump has 3 cylinders, one in the front to get the lift started and two longer ones in the rear. It all works fine but it drips a little when parked so I am thinking I will need to add fluid at some point.

Tractor Supply has hydraulic oil for tractors, I buy it in 5 gallon buckets for the transmission and hydraulics in my 1955 International Harvester. Or you could use snow plow hydraulic oil, Western Plows has it in 1 gallon jugs.

I have bought the universal oil for older tractors I have had. Was just wondering if it mattered if I mixed that with whatever is in the truck now.

I doubt it will harm anything, as long as it doesn't foam when pumping it should be ok. I assume it's a PTO driven pump?

A lot of the older dump trucks I've serviced used plain old 30 weight non detergent motor oil in the dump system. One of my customers with a leaky cylinder packing bought the stuff a case at a time. His frame and rear axle had no problems at all with getting rusty!
Jerry

yes, PTO pump.

mdkelley I just use hydraulic oil like a backhoe uses,get it at the farm store.

sounds good. I read that if I am worried I can drain some oil from the truck, mix the new with the current in a jar and shake it up to see if it blends or gels... if it mixes well there should be no issues. thanks for the replies

My 57 6400 uses plain 30 wt. Non-detergent is best. Doesn't foam. Be sure to lay a 4x4 post in the hinge crotch if any service is to be done with the lift up. Safetysafetysafety. Should a hose burst that bed can slam down before one can get out of the way.

mddkelly In the olden days some lubricants when mixed would basically turn into soap,I don't think you'll hit that now. That was in the forties.

For what its worth, I run plane jane ATF from the farm store for hydos on all the farm trucks and small equipment for year round use. Regular hydro oil doesn't like the cold weather until its warmed itself up, which isn't really possible on a dump bed like it is on tractors/equipment with hydrostatic drives.

The snow plow hydraulic oil that Western Plow markets looks and smells like ATF, might have some additives but who knows.

I use AW 32 hydraulic oil in systems with hydraulic rams. Since you probably have no idea what the previous owner used, I would drain the system. It is probably about time for fresh fluid anyway. AW 32 usually costs about $65 for 5 gallons.

I was thinking along the same lines...