Learned big lesson on j20d hy-gard fluid (2024)

I hope to pass on my big lesson. Will try to make this short and to the point. I bought my used X485 almost 4 years ago. Went to the dealer where original owner purchased it and got all the filters, oil, and hydro fluid. I knew nothing about the x485 other than it seemed like an awesome lawn tractor. Went there and asked for all the correct "stuff".

Today, i just went to another local JD dealer and requested j20d hydro fluid. Bottom line is this, He gave me J20C, NOT j20d!!!! Just as the original dealer did. I can't believe these guys. started researching after I got it to be sure I got the correct thing. No where on the front of the containers does it have j20c or j20d. If the manual is going to specify something, it should be clearly on the front of the jugs since both of my local JD dealers don't know anymore than a Walmart guy. I have been running j20c for 3 1/2 years and it just burns me up. I run only fully synthetic oils as I believe the oil is the live of the engine. Can't change anything about the last 3+ years but I now actually have j20d.

So for you guys who are new to JD lawn tractors and have not yet learned the ropes, do not assume your local JD dealer knows what they are talking about. The product number on the j20d jug is TY22000. And for the Harvard graduate who writes the owners manual, they should put the part number instead since j20d since it is not anywhere on the jug.

On a brighter note, after almost 4 years, I now have a cat 1 hitch with a few 3ph implements. Also just got my Johnny Bucket in today so I am finally using the x485 to its potential

Tim

Did you notice any difference? I just changed the oil on my LX280 for the first time. During the process of first finding how to do it and second finding which oil to use I got frustrated. Some owners insisted on JD oil which I have no problems with accepting since it's been tested and specified.

Then I found others that got different advice from the manufacturer such as using 5W-50 Synthetic weight in my personal lawn tractor. I read about a person who owned an LX279 (water cooled) that lost power/speed in his transmission. He eventually changed to the 5W-50 and said it made the difference. Once contemplating if the tranny had to be replaced. This story stuck in my mind. I wanted to stick with the factory specification but... Upon getting information from the manufacturer Tuff Torq on my K62 Hydro... I was told to use 5W-50 Synthetic. This is not on the chart. I'm thinking that they decided later to go this route.

Either way a story to add to the topic for the readers. I hope that your change went successful even with the different oil.

Your JD dealers (any JD dealer for that fact) should be the educated ones when it comes to the products they sell and service, but it happens all too often that there are too many that are "in the dark".

Tim,as for the Hy Guard type you were given,where you are geographically shouldn't matter. The only differences in the two are the temperatures that they are formulated for. I would think warm weather locations can use either one.

Greg

Way to much concern and commotion over something as basic as "weight" (viscosity index)

For some that have "learned the ropes" lubrication weight boils down to a matter of service conditions, and has nothing to do with dealer knowledge or walmart.

From the X485 service manual

Hydrostatic Transmission and Hydraulic Oil
Use the appropriate oil viscosity based on these air temperature ranges. Operating outside of these recommended oil air temperature ranges may cause premature hydrostatic transmission or hydraulic system failures.
The following John Deere transmission and hydraulic oil is PREFERRED:
• LOW VISCOSITY HY-GARD® - JDM J20D.
The following John Deere oil is also recommended if above
preferred oil is not available: • HY-GARD® - JDM J20C.
Other oils may be used if above recommended John Deere oils are not available, provided they meet one of the following specifications:
• John Deere Standard JDM J20D;
• John Deere Standard JDM J20C.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Mixing of LOW VISCOSITY HY - GARD® and HY - GARD® oils is permitted. DO NOT mix any other oils in this transmission. DO NOT use engine oil or “Type F” (Red) Automatic Transmission Fluid in this transmission. DO NOT use BIO-HY-GARD® in this transmission.

MORRISONSTEEL said:

Chevron does not/ did not develop Deere's oil. It may be packaged and mixed by them (don't know if that is accurate either but won't argue that point) but it is Deere's formula.

Click to expand...

I didn't say anything about chevron formulating it. When I worked at deere as a mechanic we got our hygard oil delivered by a contracted oil delivery service from deere. The delivery driver said they haul from deere oil mixing plant or factory until they run out of oil then everything comes directly from chevron. I asked him where deere got there materials from for the plant and he said chevron. When they got all the dealerships caught up they hauled from chevron to deere. I don't know who formulated because most of the oils and lubricants sold are probably privately labelled. Just like store brand groceries are made by a larger company and just sell there product in a store brand box. I'm sure case ih/new holland, agco, and deere all come up with something but I don't know they actually come up with the formula. But maybe I don't need to know.