TDTO absolutely necessary in powershift?

Cat oil is mobile oil---many companys make TDTO oil--I bought Philips66 TDTO for $50.25/5 gal. I use it in anything that has wet clutches--power shift tranny and steering clutches.---- use 30W motor oil in bevel gear, final drives, rollers,idlers,etc

Do not use engine oil.
Failure to follow the recommended TDTO can cause shortened transmission life due to material incapability and inadequate frictional requirements for disc materials.

It doesn't have to be Cat product if it meets API CD/TO-2 or mil spec MIL-L-2104D.

I've been running 30w engine oil in my 1963 955h. The previous 2 owners, had too. No problems with it, but it is an older machine. The manual for it also calls for engine oil.

I also ran 30W engine oil in my 941b for 20 years as that was what the manual said--but a bit of research showed that the TDTO oil is a vast improvement and is better for wear and for friction. Bob/ont is the expert on these transmissions and oils---The TDTO being the same price as Series 3 30w was a no brainer for me.
Just my opinion!! 😖mile:

Engine oil specifications have changed with our clean air laws and do not contain the same lubricants so you can no longer rely on what you did 20 years ago. I still don't believe current engine oils provide proper lubrication for the older machinery and expect decreased life from components when using them. Fix the leaks. The right oil is cheap at twice the price if it keeps you from having to disembowel the beast.

Something I will definitely look into.

If your still running the original type frictions in an older machine then go with the original oil recommendations. Current friction materials are no longer the same (non asbestos and organics (meaning paper)) and need the TDTO as recommended.
Plus as Mike Walsh states, oil specs have changed to where you can't always tell what your getting with some of the current lubes.

Something I will definitely look into.

Hi Team,
at The Dealer when investigating a Powershift transmission failure with burnt clutch plates the first thing I would do is to dip my forefinger tip into the residue oil and rub that finger tip onto my thumb and if TDTO oil was present the oil film would break down in 3 to 4 rubs, if Eng oil was present the oil film would continue to hold and my finger/thumb would continue to slip for as long as I rubbed.
In the '70's, if I recall correctly, the engine oils had the whale oil component removed and a zinc substitute was added. We had a rash of trans failures when customers changed into the the new Eng oil package. We continued to see failures into the 2000's as customers followed the OLD Specs for Tranny oil from their OMI/s and/or followed the outdated advice from oil companies that their product was Powershift Trans compatable.
Engine oil is just too slippery and allows the clutch plates to slip --- especially in harsh conditions ---
As mentioned the newer Engine Oils have changed package again to suit roller cam follower engine needs so now I believe the slipperyness is reduced to get the rollers enough friction to roll and so not flat spot, this leaves our old flat tappet follower engines with scant lube at the cam lobe/follower faces and scuffing is occuring.
SO NEW Technology Oils for New Technology Engines and, OLD Technology Oils for Old Technology Engines.
A Case in point was that The Dealer was having oil burning issues with our 3208 powered low HP lift truck engine. It turned out they were using Cat 10W40 DEO. Upon my intervention we tried Cat Special Application Engine Oil and the problem cleared up in the first day of operating.
We also changed Skid Steer or any Perkins powered machines to the SA/EO and fixed consumption complaints there too.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Eddie B.