JCB Special Hydraulic Fluid

[TomRon]

hello!

In my operators manual of the 3C there is stated to use only "JCB Special Hydraulic Fluid"

I have found the JCB Lubricant brochure in the internet but no oil is named as "JCB Special Hydraulic Fluid"

But there is JCB Hydraulic Fluid HP32 stated in the brochure which has the spec of HLP 32.

could any one tell if HLP 32 fits the requirements for the JCB 3C?

JCB Lubricant Brochure: http://www.jcb.ee/wp-content/uploads/JCB-Lubricant-Brochure-2009.pdf

Thanks
Tom

[martyn williams]

I would guess that 32 is the sae rating, look up a compatable grade from other manufacturers.Your local oil distributor will offer good advice.
Martyn

[essexpete]

I don't think you would have a problem with any dedicated 32 or 46 grade hyd oil. Check around for prices as we sometimes used to get a very good deal from our local JCB van.

[v64paul]

JCB special always used to be flourescent, all the better to see leaks before they get worse i was told...

[Julian]

JCB special always used to be flourescent, all the better to see leaks before they get worse i was told...

Jet engine oil is also flourescent, the idea was (so I was told) that you could find leaks better with a UV lamp.... I never spotted anyone ever using one!

Julian.

[Billy26F5]

Very interested in this too, does anyone know what the actual spec was? Considering contacting JCB about this, then we know what is best for old JCB's. I doubt it matches modern standards.
Sandy

[gecko.cx]

Hydraulic oil really isn't that complicated (until you start needing Bio, food grade, synth oils).
And a backhoes hydraulic system hasn't changed much since first introduced.

The base is "just oil', then you start blending in additives
- anti wear
- anti corrosion
- anti foaming
- something to stop water turning into sludge (detergent)
- anti friction
- shear stabilisers
- etc.

some modern pumps don't play well with zinc (a common anti-wear, anty corrosion additive), but that's not an issue with older machines.

What it comes down to is that any modern oil will be at least as good as what was available 50 years ago.

My P8 manual specs an ISO VG32 which is a mid-range blend and would be perfect for a 3C.

Some brands like Castrol, use their own (unique) prefixes, so some legwork may be needed to work out the equivalents.
I think an ISO VG is the same as Castrol AW - other brands will have a match too.

[Billy26F5]

Thanks Ian, but not quite wahat I'm after. I think we were given some ISO 32 stuff when we first got Mr MacGregor. I want to find out the exact spec so we can maybe find someone willing to make some again, and then have everything working to design parameters. Also just curious as there's no grade ever mentioned.
Sandy

[gecko.cx]

ISO-32 is the grade (weight).
ISO-32 works out the same as 15W, but that is all.
The ISO number only refers to the viscosity and says nothing about the additives.

Whale oil was a key ingredient in ATF, but that's hard to get these days

Stick with a brand name ISO-32-VG and it'll be better than what it had when it left the factory.

https://oilviscositychart.com/calculate/convert.php

Edit:
One thing to remember is the sales name (VG, HVG, AW, AWS etc.) as well as the ASTM Spec that defines them - they are all performance Spec, not a recipe for the ingredients.
So there is no reason for "JCB Special Hydraulic Oil" to be the same recipe from one week to the next, so long as it achieved the required performance.
If the product line ran for, say, 10 years, it'd be highly surprising if the recipe hadn't changed.