Vintage Windmill and Wind Generator Forum

confusing oil topics? we had a Ford skidd steer loader that specified #10 non detergent or hydraulic oil. So we poured in 5 gals of #10 and new filters never had a problem. So my thoughts are tractor hydraulics are more
precision than straight cut windmill gears with babbit or parts run on cast iron. sam

ATF whether from crude or synthetic has detergent properties.

10w non detergent engine oil and 10w hydraulic oil (ISO 32) are different. Hydraulic oil has no detergent properties.

Windmill manufacturers always recommended their own oil which had specs of 8W non detergent.

If you are going to stray from using "real" windmill oil, 10w hydraulic oil would be the closest substitute.

Ron Stauffer
Montrose CO