Information Regarding Hydraulic Fluid Choice
The information on this page is presented as a courtesy for our web guests. HFI Fluid Power Products does not actively involve itself with hydraulic fluid technical advice. We primarily sell hydraulic adapters, tube and
hose assemblies, as well as components such as valves. Hydraulic fluid is offered to our local customers, but we shy away from sales of hydraulic fluid outside of our local area.
If the information you are looking for is not on this page, we suggest you contact the technical support of one of the US's larger hydraulic fluid producers, such as Shell Global. Their technical support phone
number is 800-237-8645.
HFI Fluid Power Products makes no guarantees or promises regarding the information provided below, and any
information given regarding the choices of hydraulic fluid to use is listed as a guide only, and
is subject to correction or improvement.
How to determine the best choice of hydraulic fluid to use for your equipment or system.
Although many manufactures of hydraulic fluid provide various grades of detergents and oxidation stability in the fluids they produce,
the single factor that should weight the heaviest in determining the best choice of fluid to use is viscosity, otherwise known
as the fluid's weight. Viscosity is also most often expressed as the fluids ISO number or grade.
Common ISO grades for use with hydraulic systems include 32, 46 and 68. Sometimes, 10, or 10 weight is mentioned as well.
I would like to point out that for basic operation of any hydraulic system without concern to long-term effects of the
systems life, 10W-40 automotive engine may be used, providing it does not contain degertant additives, and these additives used
in engine oil can cause corrosion and cavitation. This occurs because the detergents can cause water that has condensed into the
system to emulsify, preventing it from being seperated from the oil.
It is recommended however, that a proper hydraulic fluid be used, and chosen based on its ISO grade. These fluids do not contain
harmful additives that can cause damage to components, and are designed to work within a specific temperature range.
Higher viscosity hydraulic fluid tend to reduce the system's operating temperature by increasing the volumetric efficiency of the
pump. If the viscosity is too high, however, will cause poor mechanical effieciency by increased friction during startup, and may lead to cavitation.
Finding the right ISO grade that balances the benefits of volumetric effeciency against the drawbacks of mechanical efficiency
is the key to a good long term oil choice. Ultimatly the manufacturer of the equipment knows this value and is always best to consult
the manufacturer to try to obtain the answer.
When it is not possible to do this, the age of the machinery may be taken into consideration, as the effects of heat and friction
may affect the decision process. The following charts, provided by Paul Michael, Fluid Power Institute; Steven Herzog, Rohmax Oil Additives;
Thelma Marougy, Eaton Hydraulics Operations, "Determining Hydraulic Fluid Viscosity Requirements". Machinery Lubrication Magazine. January 2007
may be helpful in determining the correct ISO grade for your hydraulic system.
Charts Provided By Machinery Lubrication Magazine, 2007
Figure 1. Effect on viscosity upon the volumetric and mechanical efficiency of hydraulic pumps
Figure 2. Temperature Operating Window for 13 to 860 mm2/s (cSt), 100 VI Hydraulic Fluid
Figure 3. Figure 3. Temperature Operating Window for Hydraulic System Operating at 45ºF to 150ºF
HFI Fluid Power Products Hydraulic Fluid Product Line
HFI supplies hydraulic fluid three ways, 55 gallon drum, 5 gallon pail, and by-the-gallon for walk in sales
provided the customers supplies a container for the oil. The ISO weights we carry are:
ISO 32
ISO 46
ISO 68
Hydraulic Fluid Cross Reference Chart
The following chart may be used to cross over some of the more common brands of hydraulic fluid.
|
HFI
|
Conoco
|
Mobil
|
Shell
|
Chevron
|
Exxon
|
Texaco
|
|
Hydraulic-150
|
Super Hydraulic MV 32 SAE5W20
|
Hydrailic Oil 13
DTE 12M
DTE 13M
DTE23
|
Tellus T 32
|
AW Hydraulic HD 32
|
Humble Hydraulic 1193
Univis J-26
Univis N 32
|
Rando HDZ 32
|
|
Hydraulic-150
|
Super Hydraulic 32 SAE10W ISO 32
|
Hydrailic AW32
Hydraulic Oil Light
DTE 24
ETNA 24
|
AW Hydraulic 32
Tellus 25
Tellus 32
Tellus 927
Tellus Plus 22
|
AW Hydraulic Oil 32
AW Machine Oil 32
Rykon Oil AW 32
Rykon Oil 32
|
Humble Hydraulic 1193
Humble Hydraulic H32
Humble Hydraulic H34
Nuto H44
|
Rando HD 32
|
|
Hydraulic-150
|
Ecoterra 32 SAE10, ISO 32
|
DTE Excel 32
|
Tellus S 32
|
Clarity Hydraulic AW 32
|
Terrastic EP 32
|
Rando HD Ashless
|
|
Hydraulic-200
|
Super Hydraulic 46 SAE10W ISO46
|
DTE 25
ETNA 25
Hydraulic Oil AW 46
Hydraulic Oil Medium
Hydrex AW 46
NS 46
Vacrex 46
|
AW Hydraulic 46
MD Hydraulic Oil AW 46
Tellus 29
Tellus 46
Tellus 929
Tellus Plus 46
|
AW Hydraulic Oil 46
AW Machine Oil 46
EP Industrial Oil 46
EP Machine Oil 11
Hydraulic Oil 46
Rykon Oil AW 46
|
Humble Hydraulic 1194
Humble Hydraulic H46
Humble Hydraulic M46
Nuto H46
Nuto H48
|
Rando HD 46
|
|
Hydraulic-300
|
Super Hydraulic 68 SAE20W ISO68
|
Hydraulic Oil 68
Hydraulic Oil Heavy
DTE 26
ETNA 26
|
AW Hydraulic 68
Tellus 33
Tellus 68
Tellus 933
Tellus Plus 68
|
AW Hydraulic Oil 68
AW Machine Oil 68
EP Machine Oil 68
EP Machine Oil 70
|
Humble Hydraulic 1197
Humble Hydraulic H68
Nuto H54
Nuto H68
|
Rando HD 68
|
The following chart may be used to help determine the proper ISO grade hydraulic fluid to use with your system by
referencing the manufacturer and model pump used in your equipment or fluid powered system. In the chart below, the
ISO grade (32, 46, 68) fluid to be used should fall within the range of the
optimum cSt listed in the right-hand column.
|
Manufacturer
|
Equipment
|
Min cSt
|
Max cSt
|
Optimum cSt
|
|
Bosch
|
FA;RA;K.
|
15
|
216
|
26 - 45
|
|
Bosch
|
Q;Q-6;SV-10, 15, 20, 25, VPV 16, 25, 32.
|
21
|
216
|
32 - 54
|
|
Bosch
|
SV-40; 80 &100 VPV 45, 63.
|
32
|
216
|
43 - 64
|
|
Bosch
|
Radial Piston (SECO)
|
10
|
65
|
21 - 54
|
|
Bosch
|
Axial & RKP Piston
|
14
|
450
|
32 - 65
|
|
Commercial Intertech
|
Roller and Sleeve Bearing Gear Pumps.
|
10
|
-
|
20
|
|
Danfoss
|
All
|
10
|
-
|
21 - 39
|
|
Denison
|
Piston Pumps
|
13
|
-
|
24 - 31
|
|
Denison
|
Vane Pumps
|
10
|
107
|
30
|
Dynex/Rivett
axial piston pumps
|
PF4200 Series
|
1.5
|
372
|
20 - 70
|
Dynex/Rivett
axial piston pumps
|
PF2006/8, PF/PV4000, and PF/PV6000 series.
|
2.3
|
413
|
20 - 70
|
Dynex/Rivett
axial piston pumps
|
PF 1000,PF2000 and PF3000 series.
|
3.5
|
342
|
20 - 70
|
|
Eaton
|
Heavy Duty Piston Pumps and Motors, Medium Duty
Piston Pumps and Motors
Charged Systems,
Light Duty Pumps.
|
6
|
-
|
10 - 39
|
|
Eaton
|
Medium Duty Piston Pumps and Motors - Non-charged
Systems.
|
6
|
-
|
10 - 39
|
|
Eaton
|
Gear Pumps, Motors and Cylinders.
|
6
|
-
|
10 - 43
|
|
Eaton - Vickers
|
Mobile Piston Pumps
|
10
|
200
|
16 - 40
|
|
Eaton - Vickers
|
Industrial Piston Pumps
|
13
|
54
|
16 - 40
|
|
Eaton - Vickers
|
Mobile Vane Pumps
|
9
|
54
|
16 - 40
|
|
Eaton - Vickers
|
Industrial Vane Pumps
|
13
|
54
|
16 - 40
|
|
Eaton - Char-Lynn
|
J, R, and S Series Motors and Disc Valve Motors
|
13
|
-
|
20 - 43
|
|
Eaton - Char-Lynn
|
A Series and H Series Motors
|
20
|
-
|
20 - 43
|
|
Haldex Barnes
|
W Series Gear Pumps
|
11
|
-
|
21
|
Kawasaki
P-969-0026
|
Staffa Radial Piston Motors
|
25
|
150
|
50
|
Kawasaki
P-969-0190
|
K3V/G Axial Piston Pumps
|
10
|
200
|
-
|
|
Linde
|
All
|
10
|
80
|
15 - 30
|
|
Mannesmann Rexroth
|
V3 , V4, V5, V7 Pumps
|
25
|
-
|
25 - 160
|
|
Mannesmann Rexroth
|
V2 Pumps
|
16
|
160
|
25 - 160
|
|
Mannesmann Rexroth
|
G2, G3,G4 pumps & motors; G8, G9, G10 pumps
|
10
|
300
|
25 - 160
|
|
Parker Hannifin
|
Gerotor Motors
|
8
|
-
|
12 - 60
|
|
Parker Hannifin
|
Gear Pumps PGH Series.
Gear Pumps D/H/M Series
|
-
|
-
|
17 - 180
|
|
Parker Hannifin
|
Hydraulic Steering
|
8
|
-
|
12 - 60
|
|
Parker Hannifin
|
PFVH / PFVI vane pumps
|
-
|
-
|
17 - 180
|
|
Parker Hannifin
|
Series T1
|
10
|
-
|
10 - 400
|
|
Parker Hannifin
|
VCR2 Series
|
13
|
-
|
-
|
|
Parker Hannifin
|
Low Speed High Torque Motors
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
|
Parker Hannifin
|
Variable Vol Piston Pumps. PVP & PVAC
|
-
|
-
|
17 - 180
|
|
Parker Hannifin
|
Axial Fixed Piston Pumps
|
-
|
-
|
12 - 100
|
|
Parker Hannifin
|
Variable Vol Vane - PVV
|
-
|
-
|
16 - 110
|
|
Poclain Hydraulics
|
H and S series motors
|
9
|
-
|
20 - 100
|
|
Sauer-Sundstrand USA
|
All
|
6.4
|
-
|
13
|
|
Sauer-Sundstrand GmbH
|
Series 10 and 20, RMF(hydrostatic motor)
|
7
|
-
|
12 - 60
|
|
Sauer-Sundstrand GmbH
|
Series 15 open circuit
|
12
|
-
|
12 - 60
|
|
Sauer-Sundstrand GmbH
|
Series 40, 42, 51 & 90 CW S-8 hydrostatic motor
|
7
|
-
|
12 - 60
|
|
Sauer-Sundstrand GmbH
|
Series 45
|
9
|
-
|
12 - 60
|
|
Sauer-Sundstrand GmbH
|
Series 60, LPM(hydrostatic motor)
|
9
|
-
|
12 - 60
|
|
Sauer-Sundstrand GmbH
|
Gear Pumps + Motors
|
10
|
-
|
12 - 60
|
|