T&T: Hydraulic Fluid

[John Adams]

Carl,
I'm not too sure about R & O oil, but the Tellus 10 and others are/where
known as "spindle oil" at one time.  Their chief claim to fame is no
gumming and light weight.  Thus they are like gun oils and sewing machine
oils.  When I needed some the Shell distributor sold me their minimum
amount, a pail which is five gallons.  After 15 years of my personal use
in everything needing a light weight oil, giving a bit to friends who
also had Wagner systems, I think I still  have 2 1/2 gallons!!  If you
are in the New Bern area I would be delighted to share some with you. 
Otherwise, an pH balanced, light weight, non-gumming oil will work;
operative require being non-gumming.

John Adams
m/v Oriental  CT T35
New Bern, NC

At 12:07 AM 10/10/2006, Carl H. Martin wrote:

  I've got a Wagner hydraulic steering unit & I need to buy some fluid
  for it.
  The manual recommends Shell Tellus 10, Gulf Harmony 10 or any oil
  suitable for
  hydraulic winch drives.  When I looked up Gulf Harmony 10 it appears
  to be an
  R & O oil.  My local Napa has Valvoline R & O oil.  Does anyone know
  if this
  would be suitable for use?