I have two International 986 tractors that need the hydraulic fluid changed. Manual (from 1976) calls 22.5 gallons each of IH Hytran, but at $90 a bucket I'm wondering if anything else out there would work as well. I have read so much stuff on it that I am dizzy.

As I understand it the fluid is supposed to be spec MS1209.

Is anyone on here familiar with that, and does anyone have a recommendation on where to buy? H&R in Columbus (CaseIH dealer) quoted $990 for a drum).

I would buy that 90 dollar fluid. The cheap fluid is not good. There are no government standard or regs on hydraulic fluid like motor oil. Talk to a tractor dealer and get what they recommend. I blew alot of hoses with cheap fluid. That cheap fluid is mostly water. It is hard to see expensive fluid leaking out of a machine but a busted hose or broken hydro pump is worse.

How could they have water in them? It would separate. I can understand it having a cheap grade of oil but I doubt they have water in them....

Da fuuuu...?????

Op.... it’s not gonna mater much in that model machine, just get some at the parts house and let it bump. Just my opinion

You dont have to believe me. More like colored water. Not all hydraulic fluids are equal. Run the cheaper if you wish, I wont ever run the cheap again.

Never run cheap fluids or my cheap parts.

just get your some 303 and roll on. You’ll be fine...

Maybe one of the loggers will chime in, they prob run more fluid than us farmers. But 303 has worked in everything I ever had.

I'm sure they run 303 because it's cheap and it's hard to see 100 bucks pour out on the ground from a leaky machine. Run it if you want but never again for me.

If it's like all of my junk it leaks it about as fast as you pour it in. All jokes aside I prefer the non foaming but have had good luck on john deere with the cheapest I can find.

Rural King sells some with a red label for IH. Other than that you can use any that is for transmissions with the 303 rating like DW said. Next option is the high $ stuff from dealer.

Don't put the cheapo 20 weight in that is not rated for transmissions.

The Traveller Premium from Tractor Supply is what I run in all my machines.

Look no further. Not complicated.

On an 80’ish model tractor, Im with DW On this one. If you are worried about it, google MS1209 and you will see most tractor hyd fluid is compatible.

My problem was that I had to add 5 gallons this weekend and after doing so I saw on the jug that it was "not recommended for transmission, differentials, wet brakes or final drive gears".




What was in it was really dark and I figured I'd change it... until I got the price.I just cant believe that there isnt a brand without the required specs for less than what the Case dealership quoted.

Several states have outlawed the 303 tractor fluid because it isn’t what it says it is. I know it’s a very popular fluid but it’s junk. We sell a Chevron tractor fluid that meets JD20C specs. It’s less than $50 per 5 gallon bucket.

Traveller Premium - Specs MS1209. You can read it right on TSC's website. $50 or less for 5 gallon.

R & O Hyd fluid is for wetline systems only, tank-pump-cylinder. R & O will foam up and should never be used in any tractor system.

I have used Mobile 424 as a substitute with no issues whatsoever. Its like anything else though. I’ve seen folks use cheap whatever cause it’s what was at the mom & pops and week later pumps screaming and stuff leaking everywhere. Me myself as long as it meets the viscosity and additive package of whatever is recommended I’d try it.

Dang. They be some strange talk here. I believe DW has bout got it right. The oil you put in your trac had better be listed in some form as "transmission & hydraulic oil". There's a difference in just plain hydraulic oil. The PTO clutches & certain transmission mechanical operations require the T&H oil. With that being said, I believe the chevron T&H oil 68 pretty much fits the specs of IH, JD, MF, Ford & others. It's usually been a fairly affordable & good oil.

By the way, as I have always understood it. Most tractor hydraulic fluids are a mineral oil base with certain additives put in to take care of issues to increase or decrease lubrication in transmissions & clutches.