303 Hydraulic Fluid

[oldwesty]

When I bought my used Jinma from a private party he gave me two 5 gallon containers of 303. When I poured some out of one container it was dark in color and poured slow like molasses. When I poured some out if the other container it was lighter in color,about the shade of honey and wasn't as thick. It poured faster. Which one is the real 303?

[GuglioLS]

Is this a test? trick question?

Hi Oldwesty good to have you here.

www.grease4sale.com/lubricants_specialty_products/hydraulic_oils_fluids/special303_hydraulic_fluid.htm

Larry

[FLICK]

When I poured some out of one container it was dark in color and poured slow like molasses.
That sounds like it might be the old original oil that's been drained out of the tractor... I've heard people describe the factory Chinese oil as molasses before (I have no personal experience with it though)

" lighter in color,about the shade of honey and wasn't as thick"
That sounds much the same as the gearbox/hydraulic oil I use.

Matthew.

[grohgreg]

oldwesty said:

Which one is the real 303?

Doesn't matter. Might be safer just to throw them both away. Even if one or both is 303, it's the wrong type fluid for a Jinma. 303 is classified as UTF (Universal Tractor Fluid) and is formulated for tractors that have a common sump for both tranny/diff and hydraulics. Jinmas have separate sumps. In a nutshell, it's too thin for Jinma gears, and too thick for Jinma hydraulics.

Jinma gear boxes and differentials should be filled with non-foaming gear oil, typically 80W90 or 85W140 depending upon your climate. The gear oil should also be classified as "safe for use with yellow metals". Jinma hydraulic sumps should be filled with hydraulic oil, typically AW32 or AW46 depending upon your climate.

Now to be fair, there's a chance that the seller buys POLs in bulk - and just poured out 5 gallons of something into whatever buckets were laying around empty. If that's the case, the darker/thicker stuff may be gear oil, the other may be engine oil. On the other hand, one may be gear oil, the other may be engine oil. Either way, don't use it till you're positive what's in the buckets.

Personally, I wouldn't gamble. I'd throw away what's in the buckets and completely drain/flush/refill the tractor so I could start all over actually KNOWING what I've got in my tractor.

//greg//

[Ronmar]

I also don't think it has a place in a china tractor, especially if in doubt to the actual contents. Use it on old rags to start brushpiles on fire... Works Great. IF the real dark stuff burns like crazy, it is probably the original fluid from the tractor:)

I that is what is in your machine, I would reccomend you replace it for the reasons Greg mentioned. Gear oil in the gearboxes and AW hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic sump.

Ron

[biggkidd]

Oldwesty

I agree with the above FLUSH & FILL with fluid you know. Whats a couple bucks for peace of mind and a little added insurance? I am almost to the magic 200 hour mark. In fact my 354 will go over before it comes home for its fluid changes. But I am not real worried since I put the fluid thats in there my self. ;D Plus its already had more changes than necessary. IMO...

KIDD