Is motor oil better than hydraulic oil?

[The motor guy]

A lot of mowers have hydro gear transaxles and just spec regular 20w50 motor oil. What happens when you use the equivalent weight hydraulic fluid? Not sure which ISO number that would be.

 

[bruce381]

PCMO will have better rust and water tolerance as well as sludge dispersion but lower EP or AW properties but in a low use/load environment both would be fine IMHO

 

[jetman]

Not sure which ISO number that would be.

 

[bruce381]

ISO 220 would be 50 wt

 

[Lubener]

A lot of mowers have hydro gear transaxles and just spec regular 20w50 motor oil. What happens when you use the equivalent weight hydraulic fluid? Not sure which ISO number that would be.

What are you trying to accomplish or is this general curiousity?

 

[The motor guy]

PCMO will have better rust and water tolerance as well as sludge dispersion but lower EP or AW properties but in a low use/load environment both would be fine IMHO

I don't see where sludge and water would be an issue in this particular case

 

[wpod]

I don't see where sludge and water would be an issue in this particular case

Sludge and water is a problem with hydraulic systems.