Premacon 960 SME Down Under

[Rimrock]

If not having the grade 22 oil at hand, it's better to chose a ticker variant, like grade 32 which is more common and can be bought in small containers. (There might be some mechanical shops / industry in your local area that purchase the GLP22 in barrels and other big containers, that might let you buy some small quantity if one check around)
One should naturally in general follow Premacon, and other suppliers, advice when it comes to oil grade, but on a scale model with industrial standard hardened steel pump and valves there should be no big reason to have sleepless nights if operating with a thicker oil for a periode, IMO.

The fabricator of the pump that Premacon, and some others use, Jung, actually give grade 46 as the standard in the data sheets, which is one of the most common used grades in the 1:1 life. I would think that due to the small channels in valves and pipes/hoses used in scale modelling, on have to compromise and choose lighter oils in order to get a better fluid flow and reduce power consummation. Maybe an issue here is the risk of wearing out the pump motor, rather than ruin any of the hydraulic components, when using a thicker oil, and less motor wear with the thinner oil.
Someone should ask Premacon what could go wrong if not going for the grade 22)

[JAMMER]

I use Cat hydraulic oil in my Jung pump with no problems it is a thin oil. Ed

[ptebbe]

I think that the lower viscosity oil flows easier thru a model's smaller hoses and connectors and therefore works the pump less and also increases efficiency. Longevity of the pump might also be affected.
As far as warrantee, Premacon might also only honor the pump warrantee if you're using the correct oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations, in my case 22 wt oil. (Specifically for the 944 model....the 956 or 960 might use different oil if the pump is different, and I think it is.)
For those in the USA, RC4WD now sells 15 and 22 weight "anti-wear" hydraulic oils in 16oz containers. Expensive, but better than paying for a 5 gallon drum.
Paul

[titandigs]

Originally Posted by ptebbe

I think that the lower viscosity oil flows easier thru a model's smaller hoses and connectors and therefore works the pump less and also increases efficiency. Longevity of the pump might also be affected.
As far as warrantee, Premacon might also only honor the pump warrantee if you're using the correct oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations, in my case 22 wt oil. (Specifically for the 944 model....the 956 or 960 might use different oil if the pump is different, and I think it is.)
For those in the USA, RC4WD now sells 15 and 22 weight "anti-wear" hydraulic oils in 16oz containers. Expensive, but better than paying for a 5 gallon drum.
Paul

I agree, with the flow and pump efficiency comments.
I look at it this way, I spend 38 Euros ($50 plus shipping from Germany say $75 total) for a Pistonking flashing led beacon. It does nothing but add Sh*^#!t and glitter, on the other hand the oil for a bit more brings this machine to life.