Well, the reason that John Deere recommends to use Hygard is because they ran their own tests and determined that Hytran did not meet "their" companies wear spec. I read the bulletin myself. It lacks zinc which reduces wear and JD recommends it. Not to badmouth Hytrans as its moisture absorbtion is second to none and good stuff but I don't like the wax buildup.
International actually recommended you to use quote, unquote Hygard or "equivalant". I also seen that myself in the original literature.
If the hydraulic oil meets the ic-6 "I think from mem" or Hytrans spec its fine and I have used the 5 gallon bucket stuff from a tractor suppy for years in my cubs with no issue but to each his own. If yer skeerd, yer skeerd. If I personally tear something up Ill fix it, not everyone can do this. And, I change my filters and fluids more often than most so would notice an issue where some just dump it in and forget about it........for years.
I, like you have too many pieces of equipment to have each individual brand.
Just be careful using the tractor supply stuff and be aware that there are 2 different kinds one for trans/hydraulic systems like cubs and the just straight hydraulic oil. You can read the label on the back to check if it meets your manufactures spec like jc3 or hytran or ic6 most are pretty broad range and besides they all come from the big refineries before branding.
Finally for guys who are not mechanically inclined and don't mind the price go with hytrans by all means.
And your right about the brass or carbon fiber syncro stuff you have to be careful or those huge cast iron casings on the old cummins diesels that had to have synthetic because of the heat buildup and retention will cook a dino.
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