By Lukeron Lubricants · Last updated
Quick answer
A tractor can need five different products: engine oil, a universal tractor transmission oil (UTTO) for the transmission, hydraulics and wet brakes, a gear oil for some final drives, grease and coolant. UTTO is not the same as hydraulic oil or gear oil. It is made for the wet brakes and clutches too, and the wrong oil can cause brake chatter or poor braking. Tractor oil is changed by hours of work, not kilometres. The manual decides every oil point.
Which oil goes where in a tractor
| Oil point | Usually uses | Lukeron product |
|---|---|---|
| Shared transmission, hydraulics, wet brakes, PTO | UTTO, as the manual names it | SPL UTTO 20W Universal Tractor Transmission Oil |
| Engine | Heavy-duty diesel engine oil, in the grade the manual names | SPL Agri Engine Oil 20W-40 CF-4; SPL HDEO 15W-40 |
| Separate hydraulic system | Anti-wear hydraulic oil, in the VG the manual names | Hydraulic oil AW, VG 32, 46, 68 |
| Separate final drive or rear axle | Gear oil, as the manual names it | SPL Gear Oil EP 80W-90, EP-90 |
| Steering, linkages, wheel bearings | Multipurpose grease, usually NLGI 2, if the manual says so | SPL Calcium Grease; SPL Lithium Grease |
General guidance only. Follow the tractor maker's manual for every oil point.
A tractor can use several different oils: one for the engine, one or more for the transmission and hydraulics, grease for the joints, and coolant for the radiator. Farmers often ask whether one oil can do several jobs, and what happens if the wrong one goes in. This guide explains the oils in a tractor in plain words. The tractor manual always comes first.
The oils in a tractor
- Engine oil: a heavy-duty diesel engine oil in the grade and API level the maker names.
- Transmission and hydraulic oil: often one shared oil, a universal tractor transmission oil (UTTO).
- Final drives: some tractors use the shared oil and some use a gear oil. The manual says which.
- Grease: for the steering, the linkages, the wheel bearings and the other greasing points.
- Coolant: for the radiator, mixed with clean water to the maker's ratio.
What UTTO is
UTTO stands for universal tractor transmission oil. Many tractors have a transmission, a hydraulic system, wet brakes and a PTO clutch that all share one oil. A UTTO is made to do all of these jobs with a single oil, so it protects the gears, runs the hydraulic pump and lets the wet brakes grip smoothly. This is why it is different from an ordinary gear oil or an ordinary hydraulic oil.
UTTO, hydraulic oil and gear oil: why they are not the same
A hydraulic oil is made for a hydraulic system only. A gear oil such as EP-90 is made for gears and axles. Neither is made for the wet brakes and clutches in a tractor, which need an oil with the right friction behaviour. Using the wrong oil can cause brake chatter, noise or poor braking, and it can harm the hydraulic pump or the gears over time. If your tractor uses a shared transmission and hydraulic oil, use the UTTO that the manual names.
Which oil goes where
- Shared transmission, hydraulic and wet brake system: UTTO, as the manual names it.
- Separate hydraulic system: the hydraulic oil grade the manual names, such as an anti-wear hydraulic oil of ISO VG 46 or 68.
- Separate rear axle or final drive: the gear oil the manual names, for example SAE 90 or 80W-90.
- Engine: heavy-duty diesel engine oil, for example 15W-40 or 20W-40 with the API level the manual names.
- Grease points: a multipurpose grease, usually NLGI 2, if the manual says so.
How often to change tractor oil
Tractor oil change intervals are given in hours of work, not in kilometres. Follow the manual. Hard work, dust, heat and poor storage shorten the interval. Change the oil filter when the manual says to. Keep a record of the hours at each change.
Tractor oil price: why it differs
The price of tractor oil depends on the type (engine oil, UTTO, hydraulic oil or gear oil), the grade, the quality of the additive package and the pack size. A drum costs less per litre than a small pack. GST is added on top. We quote the current price for your oil, pack and quantity. Send us those three details and we reply within 1 to 2 business days.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using engine oil in the transmission, or gear oil where the tractor needs UTTO.
- Using an ordinary hydraulic oil in a tractor with wet brakes that shares its oil.
- Mixing different oils in the same sump. Drain and refill with one product.
- Changing the oil by the calendar and ignoring the hours.
- Buying oil from an unknown seller. Check the pack and the grade.
How to choose in four steps
- Read the manual for each oil point: engine, transmission, hydraulics, final drive and greasing.
- Match the grade and the specification the manual names.
- Buy the right pack for your work, from a drum for a fleet to a pail for one tractor.
- If the manual is missing, send us the tractor make and model and our team will help you choose.