Oil Specs

[kingfisher61]

I note Brian's post regarding oil specs for Majors. It seems to based on a Ford notification from 1959. My Power Major from 1961 has the same spec for engine oil, but a very different spec (according to a borrowed and hopefuly relevent manual) for the trans and rear axle. The manual says SAE 90 (at least). Brian's post talks of using 20/30 - the same as the engine. This would make life somewhat easier, but is a big shift. Do these same specs apply to my slightly later model engine? So in simple terms, can I use the same oil in the gearbox etc, as the engine?

[Brian]

The 1959 specs. are relevant to ALL Majors from 1952 to 1964. They do not say you should NOT use the earlier specs, just that you CAN use these oils instead of.

These are the oils recommended by Ford in their service letters to all Service Staff at the dealerships. I would not recommend 90W in tractors after October 1960 though.

Bit worried that you have a 1961 Power Major, as the last Power was built in November 1960. Is it one that has not been sold until 1961? If you have a 1961 Super Major then 90W oil in the rear axle could give you hydraulic problems.

[kingfisher61]

Thanks Brian. I checked the numbers again. June 1960.
I'm currently using Castrol Tection momograde 30 in the engine. From the sounds of this then, I can use the same in the axle & trans. The axle & trans currently have 80/90 in them. Is there any danger in mixing the oils if I'm topping them up? Eventually I guess a total oil change would be wise.

[Brian]

I would not think mixing is a good idea although it does happen, even with my own tractors, through the use of hydraulic equipment.

My Nuffield is on 20/30W but my Major is still running on 90W, so when I use the trailer on both there is a little exchange. Think I would top up a little, if I knew I was going to change in the near future or even let her run a little lower, there is quite a wide band between "Full" and "Low".

[kingfisher61]

Thanks for your help Brian.
Mark

[Julian]

I am glad to have seen this confirmed, I was sceptical when the bloke in the New Holland dealer told me that the one oil for the engine can go in the Gearbox and axle, given that the two manuals I have including the workshop manual dated within the last few years still say SAE90, but would explain too why the bloke I was buying mine off(Major 52-54ish) was putting 10w40 in both.

I can understand the logic for the rear axle due to the Hydraulics, not so clear perhaps the gearbox, but I can't help thinking that if you can replace 90 with something like 20/30 that easily then it can't make much difference if you use 10/30 or even 10/40. Any frsh oil is good oil in an old machine.