Just like cars, trucks and motorcycles, farming machinery needs oil to function effectively. Regular lubrication with a high-quality oil improves the safety, performance and efficiency of your equipment, contributing to the overall success of your farm.
Traditionally, farmers have used universal tractor oil (UTO) for the majority of their equipment because it offers a versatile and convenient lubricant solution for multiple machines. But what is universal tractor oil, and is it still right for modern farming machinery?
What is universal tractor oil (UTO)?
Universal tractor oil (UTO) is a multi-purpose oil-based lubricant, designed to reduce friction and wear in the engines, transmissions and hydraulic systems of most major farming equipment.
Benefits of universal tractor oil
Universal tractor oil was originally designed to simplify the lubrication process for farmers, reducing the need for multiple products. It’s a first-generation multigrade oil which contains zinc dithiophosphate for wear protection, extending the lifespan of your tractor.
Suitable for use in the engine, hydraulics, transmission, and axles of tractors and other machines, UTO is generally considered best for machines manufactured in the 60s and 70s but can sometimes be used for modern machinery too.
How has farming machinery changed?
Modern farming equipment has moved on a bit since the 60s and 70s. Some of the technological advancements include more complex hydraulic systems, sophisticated transmissions and oil-immersed wet brakes, which all require specialised lubricants.
Without the right type of lubricant, you might experience accelerated wear and even ineffective braking.
Compatibility concerns with universal tractor oil
Put simply, there are more moving parts in modern machines, which work harder and faster than their traditional counterparts. Universal tractor oil is not always able to meet these advanced requirements.
While it might still work in the short term, you might find using universal tractor oil on modern machinery leads to brake chatter, increased component wear and reduced hydraulic efficiency.
How to determine if UTO is right for your machinery
Aside from equipment age, there are a few ways to decide if universal tractor oil is right for your machinery.
- Check manufacturer’s recommendations: Your first port of call should always be the equipment manual or handbook. Here you’ll find the specific lubricant requirements for your machinery and it’s important that you adhere to those first and foremost.
- Equipment features: If you cannot check the manual for any reason, you can also check your equipment for specific features such as wet brakes or high-pressure hydraulics. These machines will typically respond better to a more advanced lubricant.
- Monitor performance issues: If you choose to use universal tractor oil, watch for warning signs of incompatibility. This could be anything from strange noises to reduced responsiveness and issues with braking
The alternative solution: Advanced multipurpose lubricants
In response to the development of modern farming machinery, next-generation multipurpose lubricants have been created to replace universal tractor oil.
New and advanced products like Gulf Multifunctional Oil are crafted for compatibility with both older and more modern machinery, offering protection against wear, oxidation, corrosion and foaming.
Most importantly, it's designed to offer enhanced performance under the severe operating conditions of modern machinery.
Benefits of advanced multipurpose vs traditional UTOs
Whether you have old or new equipment or like many farmers, a mixture of both, using multipurpose lubricant offers unmatched versatility across machines of all ages.
With just one lubricant to worry about, you can avoid misapplications and simplify your equipment servicing routine.
The key benefit of modern multipurpose oil over universal tractor oil is that it supports modern multi-disc, wet brakes as well as traditional systems. This prevents you from experiencing a critical braking failure, especially when driving in wet conditions.
While universal tractor oil was once the go-to solution for farm equipment lubrication, modern machines demand more advanced formulas. No matter the age of your equipment, multipurpose oil extends its lifespan, reduces maintenance costs, and ensures optimum safety and performance.
Always assess your specific equipment needs before choosing a lubricant. If you’re not sure, we always recommend consulting the machine handbook or manufacturer’s guidelines, where there should be a clear recommendation on the type of oil required.
If a modern, multipurpose oil is recommended, Gulf Agricultural Oil has been carefully formulated to protect the integrity of even the most advanced machines, without compromising on the versatile flexibility of traditional universal tractor oil.