Can I use ATF in my western plow?

Category: automotive auto parts
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ATF can be used,it meets the requirements for the newer systems too. The western fliud is thinner at low temps and that is supposed to make the poppet valves flow better.Id use ATF,I use it in all 4 of my plows 3 minute mount electrica,and one unimount western,no problems.



Considering this, can I use ATF in my plow?

We don't recommend ATF for use in our snowplows. We recommend using a snowplow specific fluid like our HINIKER COLD FLOW oil which meets a military spec. of 5606.

One may also ask, how do you fill a western plow with fluid? How to Fill a Western Snowplow Pump
  1. Depress the ram into the Western snowplow pump by moving the control lever inside the plow vehicle's cab to the down position until the ram is all the way down.
  2. Clean all grease, dirt and hydraulic fluid from the area around the pump's drain plug with one of the shop rags.

Thereof, what fluid goes in western plow?

Although, Western plows do take ATF fluid I had an interesting experience with my Western today. I use ATF in some of the other Westerns we have, but there's one plow that's been a headache for 2 years now.

Can I use ATF for hydraulic fluid?

4. ATF makes a fantastic hydraulic oil. A gallon of ATF is hard to find for less than $20, but five gallons of hydraulic oil can be had for less than $40. However, ATF is closer in quality to synthetic hydraulic fluid, and with this consideration, ATF can be seen as fairly reasonable in price.

23 Related Question Answers Found

What kind of hydraulic fluid does a Boss plow use?

Boss Hydraulic Snow Plow Fluid GALLON
Boss Hydraulic Oil is Specially formulated to maintain its viscosity from normal use to as low as -40F.

How much fluid does a Western Plow take?

Most will take 2 quarts to 2 1/2 quarts depending on how much you drain out of the cylinders.

How do I check the fluid in my western plow?

On a Unimount system on the right side of the resavoir as your looking at the plow from the front there is a plug that can be removed to check the fluid level. Fluid should just run out the hole with the lift cylinder all the way down.

How do you maintain a snow plow?

Snow Plow Maintenance Tips: Pre-season & In-Season
  1. Do a thorough inspection of your plow to make sure everything is in working order.
  2. Check your plow's cutting edge to make sure it's adequate.
  3. Check your plow shoes and replace if necessary.
  4. Check and tighten all fasteners on your plow.
  5. Check and tighten all fasteners on your plow's vehicle mount.

Where is the filter on a western plow?


Deep within the reservoir of your hydraulic system, you'll feel this filter sitting on a port. If you pop that off, you can inspect the filter for holes or backed up debris.

How does a hydraulic snow plow work?

Snow plows are designed with blade stops for stacking to protect the equipment and make the plow perform properly. A direct hydraulic lift system will stack just as high as another type of lift system. With ideal conditions in place, a direct hydraulic lift system can stack snow higher than the roof of the truck!

What can I use instead of hydraulic fluid?

Light weight motor oils or machine oil (10/20W) could be used as a substitute for hydraulic oil. I do not have direct experience with this but I believe that vegetable oils are used as hydraulic fluid in food proccessing applications where contamination is a concern.

Can you mix different hydraulic fluids?

"Is it all right to mix an R&O hydraulic oil with an AW hydraulic oil in a hydraulic application?" Mixing oils with different additive packages is never recommended. Doing so could compromise the additive performance of both constituents, cause corrosion of component surfaces and lead to increased mechanical wear.

Is there a difference between hydraulic oil and hydraulic fluid?


Hydraulic oil and hydraulic fluid are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not necessarily the same. While hydraulic oil is a fluid, hydraulic fluid can also consist of other fluids, including plain water, water-oil emulsions and salt solutions.

Can I use power steering fluid in a hydraulic jack?

The automatic transmission is a hydraulic circuit, albeit a complex circuit, but it still has a pump and valves and pistons just the same as your hydraulic jack does. Power steering fluid is a good choice because it is a hydraulic fluid. If your jack needs fluid you may have a Pso problem.

Is hydraulic fluid and transmission fluid the same?

Transmission fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid. The transmission fluid is a medium that transmits power from the engine to the transmission. Other types of hydraulic fluid include mulitgrade engine oil and conventional, antiwear hydraulic oil.

What happens if you put hydraulic oil in an engine?

Hydraulic oil is about the same as 1950's engine oil and would be OK to use in an emergency to get you home. If you used it for longer than a few days, you would start to form deposits in the engine that would clog oil ways and block your hydraulic valve lifters.

What can you use in place of transmission fluid?

The most commonly used power steering fluid substitute is automatic transmission fluid (ATF). Actually, a lot of manufacturers use ATF instead of power steering fluid. It consists of: 85-90% base oil.

Safe Power Steering Fluid Options
  • 60-90% solvent.
  • 5-30% lubricant.
  • 2-5% additives.

What is the difference between aw32 and AW 46?


AW-32 is neither "better nor worse" than AW-46. The numbers refer only to the viscosity, not to the quality. Quality of the oil is determined by the manufacturer. For Atlas above ground lifts, AW-32 (lower number than AW-46) will flow "better" in colder weather than AW-46.