Does it come in any color other than clear? I use it for a small electric log splitter and it's really hard to see the level on the dip stick.

A lot of gear can use atf for hydraulic fluid. Maybe check the specs. Atf is red, regular fluid Is not really clear, kinda light honey.

Recycled aw46 is darker than fresh.

You could add a dye to the hydraulic fluid. John Deere has a dye and I am sure there are others.

https://www.hartvilletool.com/...ere-parts-lubricants

You need 5606.

The fluid for my snow plow is blue

If it is one that can use 80-90w gear oil instead, you can get dark green marine gear lube.

If it requires a lighter fluid, I do not know.

Glasses?

quote:

Originally posted by 41:
You could add a dye to the hydraulic fluid. John Deere has a dye and I am sure there are others.

https://www.hartvilletool.com/...ere-parts-lubricants

With the dye do you need black light?

Based on the chemistry within atf and gear lubes, please do not use them in place of hydraulic fluid unless the manufacturer approves.

I will refrain from a formulation chemistry lesson here, but be assured the additives within can be very different.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
You need 5606.

Yup. Mil-Spec H5606 Hydraulic fluid. Looks like cherry Kool-Aid.

Aero shell is also dyed red. What weight do you need?

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
You need 5606.

Yup. Mil-Spec H5606 Hydraulic fluid. Looks like cherry Kool-Aid.

In the '70's we used Mil Spec H5606 in early BMW motorcycle front forks.

Bought it in RED color gallon cans.

quote:

Originally posted by RogB:

quote:

Originally posted by 41:
You could add a dye to the hydraulic fluid. John Deere has a dye and I am sure there are others.

https://www.hartvilletool.com/...ere-parts-lubricants

With the dye do you need black light?

It is a red dye. No light is needed.

Skydrol

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
You need 5606.

Yup. Mil-Spec H5606 Hydraulic fluid. Looks like cherry Kool-Aid.

Prior to this thread, I thought all hydraulic fluid was red.

This might work for you MIL-PRF-5606H

we use atf in the tractors, it's a bit thin for heavy use, but it works and it's red.

quote:

Originally posted by GWbiker:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
You need 5606.

Yup. Mil-Spec H5606 Hydraulic fluid. Looks like cherry Kool-Aid.

In the '70's we used Mil Spec H5606 in early BMW motorcycle front forks.

Bought it in RED color gallon cans.

Hah! In our BMWMOA club (Chicago, # 3 club in the MOA), we kept a couple of five gallon pails for this. Somebody would go to a maintenance shop at a local airport and get them to pump it out of their 55 gallon drum. We paid a lot less, doing it this way, than buying it over the counter.

Every so often we would have a "fork clinic." Bring your BMW, the experts would show you how, and assist as needed, service the forks, replace seals as needed, service the fluid, etc.

Other days we would have different clinics: wheel bearings one day, tune-ups another day, etc. Usually a "how to" video (this was way before youtube), there would be parts available, and of course, an ample supply of coffee and donuts.

quote:

Originally posted by thezoltar:
Skydrol

This is bad advice

That dye sounds like your best bet. Substituting a different fluid than that specified would most likely not cause any harm, but no sense in taking a chance on it.