New Eagle Mach Excavator 1/14

[honda3]

What are the advantages/ disadvantages of a thick vs thin oil?

[Rimrock]

Originally Posted by honda3

What are the advantages/ disadvantages of a thick vs thin oil?

Thinner oil gives longer running time, less strain on pump motor, more speed at the cylinders vs thicker. If it gets too thin, there will be more internal wear of the hydraulic components. Less oil leaks with thick than thinner oil.
Just some ideas, other may have other experiences; grade 22 is often given as the 'optimum' thin oil for our rc models. Temperature in the surroundings do play a certain role. E.g in middle/northern Europe the air temperature we operate the equipment in is most typical from the 60's to the 80's Fahrenheit (15- 30 Celsius). If one see temperatures in the 90' to the 100's, a notch thicker oil than 22 likely would be more optimal in the long run. Grade 32, often used for hydraulic jacks, is a the thicker one. As known, oil gets thinner with rising temperature.