WHAT BRAND OF OIL FOR THE HYDRO-GEARS IN AN "IS 700Z"

[stealurfish22]

Hi all, i just purchased a FERRIS IS 700Z ... WHAT VISCOSITY AND BRAND OF OIL DO YOU USE IN TH HYDRO GEARS? In addition, is it synthetic?

 

[BlazNT]

We need the model number off the plate on the hydro's it is fun to find but needed.

 

[stealurfish22]

ZT-3400 with 7 inch cooling fans.

 

[BlazNT]

This is what Hydro-Gear calls for:
"Typically, an engine oil with a minimum rating
of 9.0 cSt (55 SUS) at 230° F (110° C) and an
API classification of SL is recommended. A
20W50 engine oil has been selected for use
by the factory and is recommended for normal
operating procedures"
Hydro-gear also chooses Castrol as the brand they use.
What is in your mower has to do with what Ferris decided to put in it after they received the units.

 

[BlazNT]

Service Manual
hydro-gear.com/83f663d662_sites/hydro-gear.com/files/zt-2800-3100-3200-3400.pdf

 

[stealurfish22]

Many thanks.

I reached out to 5 dealers in the New England area and received several answers. The most common response was "Mobil 1 synthetic 20w50".

Interestingly. I reached out to Ferris Corporate directly and was told the new Hydro's DO NOT RUN ON SYNTHETIC anymore. Therefore, a standard 20w50 wt oil is all you need.

 

[BlazNT]

Hydro-Gear does not use Synthetic. They say you can but not needed.

 

[coder]

I am surprised when a manufacturer recommends conventional oil vs synthetic.
E.g.: a Hyundai dealer told us that traditional oil was the new recommendation for the Sonatas in 2016.
Runs counter to anything i understand about dyno and synthetic oils. My reaction at the time was same as now: "color me lemming, I am all over that".
Is it unreasonable that I would like to hear some logical explanation backing up such controversial a guidance?

Given a long, possibly multi-year OCI and a hot running, high shear application, the traditional oil's friction modifiers will shear down over time,
and the oil will thin out as a consequence.

I think we can say that It is generally accepted / axiomatic today, that synthetic oils are superior to dyno oils in every possible way. (Except cost).

When I hear "use dyno oil" , I wonder if some info was misunderstood down the line of transmission.
Maybe they meant the _break in_ oil should be a dyno oil and someone took that out of context.

Can anybody offer some explanation?

 

[ILENGINE]

From Hydro-gears own internal factory testing found that Synthetic has no added benefit over dyno oil. But for what they want for their own branded oil you would think it was synthetic. Just for added content I have been to the factory watched them build the unit, talked to the engineers and have done a few factory teardowns.

 

[Hammermechanicman]

Funny how we call it dino oil wben it is not from dinosaurs but rather all the organic foliage the dinosaurs lived in.
Who all remembers the gas "Sinclair Dino Supreme"