What Is John Deere Hy-Gard Equivalent? 7 Hy-Gard Alternatives

John Deere Hy-Gard is a top-rated hydraulic oil best known for its excellent performance and versatility. It’s the most recommended choice for John Deere’s agricultural equipment and heavy machinery. The oil protects your machinery from wear, provides adequate lubrication, and improves its performance.

Unfortunately, Hy-Gard has a hefty price tag since it’s the most exclusive hydraulic oil in the market. This is why most users are desperately looking for possible alternatives. So, what is John Deere Hy-Gard equivalent to pair with your machinery? Below are the most effective Hy-Gard alternatives to choose from.

7 John Deere Hy-Gard Alternatives

Here is a list of the most recommended John Deere Hy Gard equivalents.

• AMSOIL ATH 5W-30
• Mobilfluid 424
• NAPA Heavy Duty Tractor Hydraulic & Transmission Fluid
• TRIAX Agra UTTO XL Tractor Hydraulic Fluid
• Chevron Synthetic All-Weather THF
• CITGO TRANSGARD Lo-Temp
• Valvoline Motor Oil

While finding an effective John Deere Hy-Gard equivalent is possible, such alternatives may not be suitable for heavy machinery. Consult the manufacturer or research whether the Hy-Gard option is good for your equipment.

You can use the alternatives discussed below with your heavy machinery until you purchase the Hy-Gard.

AMSOIL ATH 5W-30

AMSOIL Synthetic Tractor Hydraulic Transmission Oil SAE 5W-30 is a popular hydraulic oil that works as a John Deere Hy Gard equivalent. This oil is best suited for commercial and residential tractors.

Equipment used for hefty tasks requires efficient oil for their hydraulic systems, transmissions, power take-off systems, wet brakes, and final drives. Thankfully, that’s what AMSOIL ATH 5W-30 offers.

Like the Hy-Gard, this oil meets JDM J20D specifications. Some notable features of this hydraulic oil include the following:

• A viscosity index of 171
• Point pour of -50°C
• Fully synthetic

The oil protects your equipment against oxidation and foaming. It has additives to protect your engine against wear and rust. Whether using your tractor in hot or cold temperatures, this oil will retain similar viscosity to the Hy-Gard. The oil works best with your machinery’s brakes by reducing wet-brake chatter while improving performance.

Mobilfluid 424

What is John Deere Hy-Gard equivalent? You’re most likely to find Mobilfluid 424 in your list of options. This fluid meets the JDM J20C specifications, allowing you to get all the best qualities of Hy-Gard. It’s a high-performance and multipurpose lubricant designed for agricultural and commercial machinery.

It can improve the performance of heavy-duty equipment while reducing the power take-off and wet-brake chatter. Like Hy-Gard, this fluid is ideal for hydraulic systems, power take-offs, transmissions, clutches, power steering systems, final drives, and drive axles.

Thanks to the additives in this fluid, your engine will remain lubricated and protected from damage. While using Mobilfluid 424, you will enjoy features such as:

• Friction control
• Thermal stability
• Wear protection
• Rust and corrosion protection
• Shear stability
• Good filterability
• A viscosity index of 145
• Pour point of -42°C

The good news is that this fluid is cheaper than AMSOIL ATH 5W-30 and Hy-Gard.

NAPA Heavy Duty Tractor Hydraulic Fluid

NAPA hydraulic fluid is an all-purpose fluid that can serve as an effective Hy Gard equivalent. According to most users, this fluid meets the JDM J20C specification and offers the most qualities you can get from Hy-Gard.

It’s a cheaper alternative to Hy-Gard and is ideal for agriculture, logging, and construction machinery. The fluid has additives and anti-wear to lubricate the transmission system and protect engines from rust. Other features you’ll find in this NAPA Heavy Duty Tractor Fluid include the following:

• Multi-viscosity that’s ideal for any weather
• Extreme pressure protection that works best for highly-loaded gears
• Non-foaming

As an all-purpose fluid, this NAPA hydraulic fluid is excellent for transmissions, power steering systems, wet brakes, wet clutches, differentials, and final drives. Most users claim that their machines performed as usual and didn’t produce irregular sounds after using this NAPA fluid.

TRIAX Agra UTTO XL Tractor Hydraulic Fluid

Another suitable JD Hy Gard equivalent you can use with your farm or construction machinery is TRIAX Agra UTTO XL. This fluid is specially designed for hydraulic systems, transmissions, differentials, wet brakes, and final drives.

Unlike Hy-Gard, this fluid is slightly thicker but performs excellently in different machines. Some features you’ll find in this TRIAX fluid include the following:

• A viscosity index of 176
• Pour point of -47°C
• Zero foaming
• Excellent rust protection
• Thermal stability
• Filterability

This fluid allows for smooth shifting of your machinery while reducing wet brake “chatter.” The anti-wear additives enable the engine to remain lubricated and rust-free. TRIAX Agra UTTO XL is a durable hydraulic fluid for protecting your equipment throughout the seasons.

Chevron Synthetic All-Weather THF

Do you live in areas where weather changes can compromise the performance of your farm or construction machinery? Chevron Synthetic All-Weather THF is an ideal hydraulic fluid for any weather. It has most Hy-Gard qualities, making it a suitable alternative.

It’s also multifunctional and can work best in hydraulic systems, transmissions, wet brakes, and final drives. You can rest assured to use a high-quality and clean fluid that meets OEM cleanliness requirements.

The fluid is best for minimizing downtime and maintenance costs while extending your equipment’s life. You’ll find the following features in your Chevron Synthetic All-Weather THF:

• Designed for all-weather applications
• A viscosity index of 204
• Pour point of -45°C
• Meets JDM J20C
• Excellent oxidation stability
• It has a distinctive orange color for easy identification

Chevron THF has special additives that offer extra protection to the engine against rust, wear, and scuffing. It also prevents brake chatter so you can use quiet and efficient machinery.

CITGO TRANSGARD Lo-Temp

CITGO TRANSGARD Lo-Temp can be a good choice if you operate in a cooler climate and are looking for a suitable hydraulic oil. It’s an effective Hy Gard equivalent best suited for lower-viscosity applications. Even if the temperature is at its lowest, this oil performs well.

CITGO TRANSGARD Lo-Temp meets the JDM J20D specification and is a universal product. You can use it in transmissions, hydraulic systems, differentials, power steering systems, power take-offs, wet brakes, and final drives.

This hydraulic oil is fully synthetic to ensure your machinery gets enough friction and heat transfer. You’ll get the following features in your CITGO TRANSGARD Lo-Temp:

• A viscosity index of 183
• Pour point of -54°C
• Superior oxidation
• Thermal stability
• Compatible with multiple seal materials

Valvoline Motor Oil

Valvoline offers efficient and highly affordable motor oil for smaller engines. The oil can be a good alternative to Hy-Gard used in John Deere mowers. It’s fully synthetic and available as 10W30 to reduce friction, regulate temperature and prevent sludge deposit in your mower’s engine.

The oil is also designed to protect the engine against oxidation, rust and wear. It will also boost the performance of your engine even under harsh conditions.

Cons of Using John Deere Hy Gard Equivalents

Before purchasing an alternative to Hy-Gard, it’s best to consider the following downsides:

• Alternatives lack some ingredients present in Hy-Gard.
• Some fluids, such as F-types, can damage your John Deere equipment.
• In the case of a breakdown, you may not get the warranty for your John Deere equipment.

Things To Consider When Shopping for John Deere Hy Gard Equivalents

When shopping for a John Deere Hy-Gard equivalent, there are a few things you should consider:

Compatibility: Make sure the oil you are considering is compatible with your John Deere equipment. Check the owner’s manual or contact a John Deere dealer to confirm the correct oil viscosity and type for your specific model.

Quality: Choose an oil that meets or exceeds the performance standards of John Deere Hy-Gard. Look for oils formulated with high-quality base oils and additives to provide excellent protection and performance.

Price: Consider the cost of the oil, but remember that using a cheaper, lower-quality oil could result in reduced performance and potentially costly repairs down the line.

Availability: Make sure the oil is readily available from a reliable source. If you have difficulty finding the oil you need, it could lead to delays in maintenance and potentially harm your equipment.

Reviews: Look for oils that have positive reviews from other users. This can be a good indicator of the oil’s performance.

Final Thoughts

What is John Deere Hy-Gard equivalent? The top JD Hy Gard equivalents are AMSOIL ATH 5W-30, Mobilfluid 424, NAPA Heavy Duty Tractor Hydraulic & Transmission Fluid, TRIAX Agra UTTO XL Tractor Hydraulic Fluid, Chevron Synthetic All-Weather THF, CITGO TRANSGARD Lo-Temp, and Valvoline Motor Oil.

Most JD Hy Gard equivalents are cheap and might tempt you to pick them. But, the most important thing is finding an alternative compatible with your machinery. Using the wrong alternative can ruin your equipment and lower the chances of getting a warranty.