My 2000 Thomas skid steer has Eaton Char-Lynn hydraulic components along with a Kubota V2203-E diesel engine. The manual specifies all outdated API classifications. The hydraulic oil and chain case should be 10W-30 with an "SJ" API. The Kubota engine should be 10W-30 with a "CF" API. There are lots of opinions here of changing over to a regular hydraulic oil and using a synthetic oil for the motor. I would rather stick to the manufactures recommendations and not second guess their engineering decisions. I'm not sure what to use in the hydraulics because most 10W-30 oil is full of additional additives for use in motors, not in hydraulics. So my question is with all of the 10W-30 oils offered by Case, John Deere, Bobcat, and auto supply stores where do I find the correct reasonably priced product offered in 5 gallon buckets? I'm thinking of Shell Rotella T4 in a 10W-30 for the motor? Thanks!
Sure, that sounds like a great choice. API SJ 10W30 was not a hydraulic oil, so SM or whatever will work just as well for the hydraulics. The chain case doesn't care what is in it as long as it's not water.
Well that and mud! I always figured that anything in those chain cases was better than what a motorcycle chain has to deal with especially those dirt bikes! Seen a lot of skidsteers with broken chains but don't think I ever saw one that failed from rust!