Hydraulic oil choice for 2008 Genie Z-60/34 (Deutz Engine) — AW-32 vs Low-Vis Hy-Gard

I’m doing a complete hydraulic refill on a 2008 Genie Z-60/34 with the Deutz engine. It takes around 45 gallons, and I’m in Alabama where it regularly gets into the 90s. My two main options are: Traveller AW-32 — about $477 (for 45 gallons) total John Deere Low-Vis Hy-Gard — about $1,170 (for 45 gallons) total Low-Vis Hy-Gard seems much closer to the specs of Chevron Rando HD Premium MV 32, but it’s about $700 more for the full fill as opposed to Traveller. We previously ran Caterpillar HYDO Advanced 10 because it was what we usually had on hand, but we’ve never done a complete refill until now. I started looking at Low-Vis Hy-Gard because it had the highest viscosity index of the oils I could find locally at a somewhat reasonable price. Has anyone run regular AW-32 in one of these long-term, especially in a hot climate? Would you spend the extra money on Low-Vis Hy-Gard, or am I overthinking it and Traveller AW-32 would be perfectly fine for an older lift that doesn’t get used every day? Here is a screenshot from the service manual:

I think a good quality AW32 (10W) oil would be fine. The Cat oil you used before didn't cause any problems did it? A manlift isn't continually functioning like an excavator or loader except when driving. Lots of cooling capacity with a 45 gal. reservoir too. It says if the oil consistently exceeds 205 deg's. to use an AW46 oil. I think you'd have to be working the machine pretty hard to need the 46 oil. Lots of machines use AW32 oil for a wide temperature range.

If it where mine it would get the cat oil in it well it probably would just be getting a new filter and topped off unless theres a aweful good reason to swap it

A few $$$ for analysis of an oil sample could save much more $$$. Why change oil if it is still in good condition.

Nige said: A few $$$ for analysis of an oil sample could save much more $$$. Why change oil if it is still in good condition. Click to expand... We are changing the seals in the 8 port swivel and it drained the tank. We probably should have caught the oil in clean containers

i’m in a similar situation. I bought a used man lift, about the same age, but a jlg. Jlg doesn’t seem to recommend complete oil change. It would seem wise to check it though. Is there a good company anyone out there can recommend? I’m not familiar at all with the process. Years back i bought a skytrak telehandler and changed the hydraulic oil. I took the most beautiful looking oil out of it and replaced it. I like to take care of things but always thought that was a stupid waste.

Generally if you don't have any issues and just want to change the oil, you drain what you can easily and just add the new oil and replace the filter.

McJagger said: We are changing the seals in the 8 port swivel and it drained the tank. We probably should have caught the oil in clean containers Click to expand... The reason why that happened was that swivel has a return to tank port. If you didn't cap the hoses connected to the swivel that tank port would drain the hydraulic tank, you should invest in some plug and cap fittings to do repairs like that. But something else you'll come across, if you're replacing o-rings at the main control valve, that will also drain fluid. In that case, simply loosen the hydraulic return filter, that will prevent siphoning the oil in the reservoir. And I see no reason why any quality AW32 wouldn't work. After all, the Genie specs say optional fluid is Shell Telus 32, which is just ordinary AW32 (10W) hydraulic oil, nothing fancy.

willie59 said: And I see no reason why any quality AW32 wouldn't work. Click to expand... And they key word here is quality - don’t be tempted to buy anything where the words “universal”, “tractor”, or “farm” appear in either the name of the product or of the store that is selling it. My 2c. YMMV.

willie59 said: The reason why that happened was that swivel has a return to tank port. If you didn't cap the hoses connected to the swivel that tank port would drain the hydraulic tank, you should invest in some plug and cap fittings to do repairs like that. But something else you'll come across, if you're replacing o-rings at the main control valve, that will also drain fluid. In that case, simply loosen the hydraulic return filter, that will prevent siphoning the oil in the reservoir. And I see no reason why any quality AW32 wouldn't work. After all, the Genie specs say optional fluid is Shell Telus 32, which is just ordinary AW32 (10W) hydraulic oil, nothing fancy. Click to expand... Yeah, I've had a lot of situations where the caps and plugs would be handy. I definitely need to get myself a set. I'm sure it'd pay for itself. My maintenance guy and I came to the conclusion that we should just use it as an opportunity to change the oil in the tank, but in hindsight I wouldn't have. I probably should start utilizing oil analysis kits more, because I'm sure I've wasted lots of good oil thinking I was doing good for my machine, but most likely just throwing money away.

Nige said: And they key word here is quality - don’t be tempted to buy anything where the words “universal”, “tractor”, or “farm” appear in either the name of the product or of the store that is selling it. My 2c. YMMV. Click to expand... I think I'm in the same boat as you, Nige. I got into a big rabbit hole looking into all of the oils and I noticed Traveller (Tractor Supply Company) has some interesting wording on how they say their oil meets specs. I saw in another thread where you caught this and you brought it to my attention. Like you said before, usually they say "Meets or Exceeds certain spec". This says, "designed for use where certain specs are recommended." I found that odd and suspicious. I actually used this oil in my Case 650k Series 2 a while back and I regret using it knowing what I know now. I probably didn't use enough where it's worth draining and replacing though. We bought it used for a good deal and it had some apparent problems and I wasn't sure how much money I wanted to put into it.

I may be wrong but wasn't Traveller the same brand that had to settle a multi-million $$$$ lawsuit for selling oils (THF 303 anybody.?) that didn't comply with appropriate standards.?

I don't think it was part of the 303 scandal but it would be better to use an oil that says, meets specs. like JD20C,D etc. The Traveller is probably fine in your old 680K and other basic hydraulic system's with gear pumps. I don't think Tractor Supply would be selling it if was the subject of a multi-million dollar lawsuit.

Traveller is blended by Warren Distribution and that’s close enough to the TS/Warren Distribution lawsuit to make me stay away from it.

McJagger said: Low-Vis Hy-Gard seems much closer to the specs of Chevron Rando HD Premium MV 32, Click to expand... I have a hard time believing hy-trans oil for hydrostatic tractors is anywhere near the correct spec for this application. Just looking at words under recommended oil, I'm going to guess you need to look for a multi-viscosity ISO 32 oil. I decided to look up the data sheet for that oil and Chevorn lists it as ISO 32 multi-viscosity with a viscosity index of 180, not 200 like your manual.

Although Tractor/Trans fluid is usually an ISO 32 viscosity, tractor/trans fluid typically has friction modifiers for wet brakes that are used on Ag tractors to prevent brake chatter, something that is not needed nor not necessary for a straight hydraulic system. It would work if nothing else is available, but it's not necessary. Any good quality AW32 oil should work in a Genie machine.

Coaldust said: Traveller is blended by Warren Distribution and that’s close enough to the TS/Warren Distribution lawsuit to make me stay away from it. Click to expand... Thought so.