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Oil type for lift?

snyder

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Dec 18, 2008
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545
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Baltimore md.
I need to add a quart or two of oil to my new (used) rotary mid rise scissor lift. Not sure what type or where to get it. There is a tractor supply nearby.
Thanks.
 
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6768rogues

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Nov 28, 2007
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Western NY
My lift uses automatic transmission fluid, so I put Dexron in it. See if yours is red, if so that is probably it. Most of those hydraulic systems will work with many types of fluid, as long as you don't mix them. If it is not ATF, I would use Tractor Supply generic hydraulic oil. Or see if you can find information online at the MFG site to see what they recommend.
 

Aahz

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Feb 4, 2006
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417
Location
Chicago, IL
ATF works or AW32 Non-Foaming hydraulic oil. Most ATF is very similar to hydraulic oil, just has a red dye in it (the newer synthetics are different, but we won't go there).

Using ATF is ideal on surface lifts because if you have a leak, it will stand out pretty quickly. Standard hydraulic oil is translucent, so leaks can be easily missed.
 

sreeb

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SoCal
If you already have transmission fluid then I wouldn't mix in anything else.

But I don't see why anyone would use anything but hydraulic fluid in their hydraulic cylinders.
 

RPH

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Dec 17, 2006
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Michigan Thumb
Mine states aw-32 only and to never use atf. Get the right info for your unit. That quart could be costly. New hydraulic system gets pricey.
 

Super Mech

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Feb 19, 2011
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Bronx,NY
I have 3 lifts. The Bend Pack and the Ben Pearson both have AW32 hydraulic oil in them. The Mohawk uses ATF.
 
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n20junkie

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Aug 22, 2010
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Grand Island, NY
I used to think that oil was oil. I have since witnessed the wrong oil used and the seals in a hydraulic system puff up like my wife when she catches me sneaking in car parts.

Use what is in the system, or recommend. Oil is not oil.
 

bts

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Aug 23, 2011
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Location
Perth. Australia
Please do not use ATF all in any hydraulic system unless the manufacture of the equipment recommends it.
ATF has a whole heap of additives that can attack the seals causing premature failure.
I don`t know how many soft gooy seals I pulled at of hydraulic systems that have had ATF in them.
 

sreeb

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Jul 29, 2009
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Location
SoCal
Please do not use ATF all in any hydraulic system unless the manufacture of the equipment recommends it.
ATF has a whole heap of additives that can attack the seals causing premature failure.
I don`t know how many soft gooy seals I pulled at of hydraulic systems that have had ATF in them.

Hard to understand why anyone wouldn't use hydraulic oil given that it is readily available and generally the cheapest oil you can buy.

Hydraulic oil is pretty much all the same stuff. There are lots of variants of ATF and I don't see these guys specifying a specific one. Even if the ATF from 20 years ago was good, it doesn't mean the ATF you buy today won't swell your seals.
 

Falcon67

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Jun 11, 2009
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Merkel, TX
I got mine a TSC, used the weight recommended by the mfg. I put Type F trans fluid in my race cars, not my lift.
 
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snyder

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Dec 18, 2008
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Location
Baltimore md.
The stuff thats in there is clear not red. I did find a rotary manual on line. It calls for a 32 hydraulic fliud with a full alphabet of letters in front. I had a local hose company make a 26 foot long hose so i
could mount the pump unit on the wall. It worked out really good, but i lost some oil. I will check tractor supply next time im there. Thanks all.
 

sreeb

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Joined
Jul 29, 2009
Messages
460
Location
SoCal
The stuff thats in there is clear not red. I did find a rotary manual on line. It calls for a 32 hydraulic fliud with a full alphabet of letters in front. I had a local hose company make a 26 foot long hose so i
could mount the pump unit on the wall. It worked out really good, but i lost some oil. I will check tractor supply next time im there. Thanks all.

Lots of sources. Autozone, Oreily, napa, amazon. The list is endless.
 
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