Can I use universal transmission fluid in my 1250 hydro?

[Maxwelhse]

Originally Posted by jimbob200521

Considering the "other guy" fluids meet the standards of Hy-Tran, I see absolutely no reason they aren't perfectly acceptable replacements.

I've made that exact argument in the past and found a shockingly high number of def ears at that time. No IH part # = THE DEVIL! Good luck!

edit: FWIW, Rural King has Traveller (oops.. no they don't.. it's Harvest King brand) too and its usually cheaper than TSC's price on it (around me anyhow). I checked my hydro level last summer and after 2 years my Traveller (oops again, Harvest King) oil still looked great. I should check again soon. Thanks for the reminder!

[R Bedell]

I'll say this again.........

Hytran is a "Patented Formula". NOBODY has this formula except Case-IH & Cub Cadet. So, as far as meeting the Hytran standard...NO.
Will the other hydro fluids come close and work?........YES

Bottom line is......... it is your tractor, use what you want.

[Maxwelhse]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

I'll say this again.........

Hytran is a "Patented Formula". NOBODY has this formula except Case-IH & Cub Cadet. So, as far as meeting the Hytran standard...NO.

I'll say it again then too... Then why isn't Navistar, Case, MTD, etc suing the pants off of all these guys for patent or trademark infringement when they print it on their bottles? Just out of the kindness of their hearts? Could it be that the patent expired decades ago and they're licensing the trademark?

why am I bothering?

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

I'll say this again.........

Hytran is a "Patented Formula". NOBODY has this formula except Case-IH & Cub Cadet. So, as far as meeting the Hytran standard...NO.
Will the other hydro fluids come close and work?........YES

Bottom line is......... it is your tractor, use what you want.

This isn't a debate about whether the formulas are the same; it's (like it always turns into) a debate on whether you can use other fluids with positive results and no long term ill effects. Not everybody can afford genuine stuff, or not everybody wants to pay the price for it. All I, and others, are trying to say is there is nothing wrong with some of the other products out there.

IH has there patented formulas, JD has there patented formulas, Agco has theirs, Kobota, etc etc. Then there are aftermarket brands, some may very well be better (or worse) than the IH stuff; Mystik JT-5 and Mobil 424 to name a couple. At a certain point, this debate is as pointless as the debate on which engine oil is the best.

I'll say this again, like I did in my last post and you did in yours:

At the end of the day, its your tractor and your choice: just please don't make other people scared of anything that isn't Hy-Tran for no good reason.

[Maxwelhse]

Actually, I *AM* saying it meets the HyTran specification (which is a specification, not a formula)... No one has ever illustrated to me how endless lawsuits haven't been started over it saying "HyTran" right on the bottle...

I suppose some people buy oil for their Chevy from the dealer counter in Chevy bottles too or it wouldn't be for sale there.

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by Maxwelhse

Actually, I *AM* saying it meets the HyTran specification (which is a specification, not a formula)... No one has ever illustrated to me how endless lawsuits haven't been started over it saying "HyTran" right on the bottle...

I suppose some people buy oil for their Chevy from the dealer counter in Chevy bottles too or it wouldn't be for sale there.

Now we're arguing about semantics!

There is a difference; other brands may meet the specification set forth by (in our case, IH) but not use the same formula to get there (think; taking two different roads to get to the same place; they both get you there, but they are different routes). Also note, the Tractor Supply fluid (as does most of the others) does indeed meet IH Hy-Tran spec, spec B-6. Since B-6, IH has retooled there formula and spec (can't think of what the newest spec is called) so while the other namebrand fluid we use may work completely fine in our Cubs (and meet the spec of the era they were build) with no ill effects, I wouldn't throw it in a brand new Case tractor for the simple fact it may very well eat up clutch packs (since the new tractors would require the newer spec).

That's all I've got for now, I need to get back to work!

[DoubleO7]

A patent is only good for 17 or 20 years, depending on the date it was filed.
After that 17 or 20 years it is a free for all.
If someone can decipher the formula, anyone can produce it and sell it.

The use of the word Hy-Tran is a trademark thing and is a "live" trademark.
First registered on October 13, 1959.
Others can pay the trademark owners to have it on their label.

[Maxwelhse]

Originally Posted by DoubleO7

A patent is only good for 17 or 20 years, depending on the date it was filed.
After that 17 or 20 years it is a free for all.
If someone can decipher the formula, anyone can produce it and sell it.

The use of the word Hy-Tran is a trademark thing and is a "live" trademark.
First registered on October 13, 1959.
Others can pay the trademark owners to have it on their label.

No need to decipher anything on a patented item. Its all in the patent and that's a public record. All you have to do it look it up and make it (that's why drug companies have all sorts of little tricks to extend their patents)! Since HyTran is a spec (maybe there is a patent to THEIR formula that meets the HyTran standard?) its sort of a moot point. I can tell you that Navistar charges vendors to purchase their specs so they could manufacture products to meet their standard. I doubt it was any different in the IH days. So someone IS paying to put "HyTran" on that bottle and it has to meet spec to get it on the bottle.

I knew I would get right in the middle of this again...

I wouldn't run the generic stuff in brand new equipment either until out of warranty. No excuses (no matter how goofy) for them to whine about honoring the warranty. If I became rich and could afford to buy a brand new vehicle I'd take it to the dealer that sold it for services until it was out of warranty too.. No excuses.

[Sam Mac]

Think this make about 200 threads about what to use in my trans. Sorry to be so cynical but this is getting very old.

[Shrewcub]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

Think this make about 200 threads about what to use in my trans. Sorry to be so cynical but this is getting very old.

I agree! This is what Bobistheoilguy is for!