fourwheels0 191 #1 Posted December 9, 2012 what is everyone using for fluid in their front end loaders. 10w30 or atf? i believe mine is an ark 550. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JamesBe1 82 #2 Posted December 9, 2012 Plain on 10W/30 here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smoreau 658 #3 Posted December 9, 2012 Most FEL for small tractors have a separate closed hydraulic unit. Motor oil, atf, and hydraulic fluid will all work. its really up to you if your making your own, but I like motor oil for its ease of finding almost any ware. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim_M 178 #4 Posted December 9, 2012 (edited) Hydraulic fluid is best. Motor oil doesn't have anti rust additives. I had to replace the control valve on the ARK loader I used to own because the previous owner used motor oil and the valve was full of rust from condensation. ATF also has anti rust additives. A lot of older farm tractors used type A ATF in their hydraulic systems. Edited December 9, 2012 by Jim_M Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 40,999 #5 Posted December 9, 2012 I use std R&O hyd fluid in my home made Power King loader Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baerpath 517 #6 Posted December 9, 2012 Ark calls for #5 hydralic oil or type A power steering fluid in the owners manual. I run ATF in mine. Duane Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cheesegrader 433 #7 Posted December 9, 2012 Hydraulic fluid. That is what the Kwik-way manual calls for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,629 #8 Posted December 9, 2012 The WH operators/parts manual for FEL 07-48BK01 made by Ark calls for 10w340 or 10w-40 motor oil. I think this is like a lot of WH lubrications spec...they change over time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 16,963 #9 Posted December 10, 2012 My Ark manual also calls for 10w 30 motor oil and that's what was in it when I bought it so I just stuck with that. It's a little surprising they didn't use ATF. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fourwheels0 191 #10 Posted December 10, 2012 well it looks like mine has motor oil in it. it's full and clean. and by full i mean right up to the inspection screw hole on the side of the upright. so i'm gonna leave it alone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
