Hydraulic Fluid

[KodiakRV]

I've got two systems on my MH that use hydraulic fluid -- the leveler jacks and the slideout.

I checked with the manufacturer of the leveler jacks [Equalizer Systems] and they said to use Dexron III automatic transmission fluid.  [The most-used automobile automatic transmission fluid.]

The general manual that came with the MH says to use "ten-(10) weight hydraulic fluid" for the slideout hydraulics.  Would Dexron III qualify as that?  If not, where would I get that?

 

[Shayne]

Dextron III is used in ours and most of the others that I know of.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

From what I have read and comprehended on the subject, ATF is roughly equivalent to a 10 weight oil in viscosity. There are different designations/specs used by the different automatic transmission manufacturers, but apparently they all use roughly the same viscosity.

 

[KodiakRV]

Thanks for the responses!  I'll go with Dexron III all-around.

 

[farmerjohnnyy]

My MH has one reservoir for both the slides and the jacks. It is a DeWald system made by PowerGear. The factory recommends  ATF in both single and dual reservoirs, and notes that mixing of 10W/Hyd fluid and ATF is NOT recommended.

BTW.....If you have a Dewald or any other slide/hyd jack system made by PowerGear, they have a great website with more info than I will ever use including online operators manuals and parts and service manuals.

Link    http://www.powergearus.com/

 

[KodiakRV]

I had bought some Dexron III and kept it in MH storage.  Today, I was going to add some to my hydraulic fluid reservoir.  Before I did, however, I pulled a little of the original fluid out and looked at it.  It was a pretty violet color.  All ATF fluid I've ever seen, including the Dexron III that I had, is a reddish brown color. 

I put a little of the two fluids together in a bowl and they seemed to mix together okay, but I'm hesitant now to dump the Dexron III fluid into the reservoir.  Does violet color hydraulic fluid ring a bell with anyone?

 

[KodiakRV]

Here's the reply I got from the leveler jack company when I described the fluid to them...

I believe Gulf Stream sometimes uses a product called 'CASTROL Super Blue' hydraulic fluid. You would need to contact G.S. to verify.

Sounds like DEXRON has been mixed with it. That shouldn't cause a problem.

Rush Egelsky
Equalizer Technical Help Desk

 

[KodiakRV]

Hmmm...  The only "super blue" I can find on the Internet is ATE Super Blue brake fluid...

 

[Karl]

Castrol does make a couple of "blue" products like Pyroplex Blue and Castrol Blue Hydraulic Plus, but both are for HEAVY off-road equipment like those huge earth movers and mining equipment. The first is a grease; the second a hydraulic fluid.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

If in doubt, why not drain and refill with Dexron?  It shouldn't be too difficult or expensive. Even if you don't purge the lines to the cylinders, you would end up with 80-90% Dexron.

 

[Karl]

I like Gary's idea. Even though it may sound obvious, make sure your jacks are retracted before doing this.

 

[Shayne]

I would add that after filling the the holding tank,  allow the unit to sit overnight before working the jacks.  sometimes the flow just a bit better after they've set for a while,  Not always, but most of the time it will be a smoother flow to the jacks.  I think it's because the small bbbles that occur when filling, gather at the top of the tank better and if you have a leak it will really bubble.  Jmo