Case TCH fluid has been a trusted hydraulic and transmission oil for vintage Case tractors and equipment. Although it is still referenced in many operator manuals, the original formulation can be difficult to find today.
This guide explains what Case TCH fluid is, what to use instead, and provides a full table of equivalent fluids from major brands.
Case TCH Fluid Equivalent
| Brand | Equivalent Product Name | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case IH | Hy-Tran Premium / Hy-Tran Ultraction | Hydraulic/Transmission | Official Case replacement for TCH; modern upgrade |
| Mobil | Mobilfluid 424 | Tractor Hydraulic Fluid (THF) | Meets many OEM specs for TCH-type fluids |
| Mobil | Mobil DTE 15M | Hydraulic Oil ISO 46 | High-performance anti-wear hydraulic oil |
| Shell | Shell Tellus S2 M 46 | Hydraulic Oil | Excellent anti-wear and oxidation control |
| Shell | Spirax S4 TXM | Tractor Transmission/Hydraulic Fluid | Suitable for older Case equipment |
| Chevron | 1000 THF | Tractor Hydraulic Fluid | All-season universal tractor fluid equivalent |
| Chevron | Rykon 46AW | Hydraulic Oil | ISO 46 anti-wear match |
| Phillips 66 | PowerTran Fluid | THF | Compatible with TCH applications |
| Phillips 66 | Triton 10W Hydraulic Oil | 10W Hydraulic | Good cold-flow performance |
| Valvoline | Valvoline Tractor Hydraulic Fluid | THF | Fits a wide range of farm equipment |
| Valvoline | VV935 46 Hydraulic Oil | ISO 46 | Anti-wear hydraulic match |
| John Deere | J20C Hy-Gard | Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission | Closest JD equivalent to TCH |
| John Deere | Low Viscosity Hy-Gard (J20D) | Low-viscosity THF | Cold-weather alternative |
| Kubota | Super UDT2 | Tractor Hydraulic Fluid | Highly refined THF alternative |
| CNH | MAT 3540/MAT 3505 Fluids | Multi-use THF | Meets Case TCH performance range |
| Petro-Canada | Duratran | THF | Premium long-life tractor fluid |
| Petro-Canada | Hydrex AW 46 | Hydraulic Oil | ISO 46 anti-wear formulation |
| Mystik | JT-5 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid | THF | Suitable for Case TCH applications |
| Mystik | JT-9 AW 46 Hydraulic Fluid | ISO 46 | Anti-wear hydraulic |
| Tractor Supply | Traveller Universal Tractor Fluid | THF | Common farm-store equivalent |
| O’Reilly | O’Reilly Premium Tractor Fluid | THF | Meets most THF/TCH requirements |
| NAPA | NAPA 85-405 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid | THF | Suitable match for TCH |
| NAPA | NAPA AW 46 Hydraulic Oil | Hydraulic Oil | ISO 46 anti-wear fluid |
| Citgo | Citgo TransGard Tractor Fluid | THF | Designed for older tractors |
| Citgo | Citgo AW 46 Hydraulic Fluid | ISO 46 | Hydraulic equivalent |
| Warren | Warren Universal Tractor Fluid | THF | Budget-friendly TCH replacement |
| Lucas Oil | Lucas Universal Tractor Fluid | THF | Good anti-wear and seal compatibility |
| Amsoil | Amsoil Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission Fluid | Premium THF | High-performance alternative |
| Gulf | Gulf Harmony HVI 46 | Hydraulic Oil | ISO 46 match |
| Kendall | Hyken 052 | Hydraulic Oil | Anti-wear ISO 46 hydraulic oil |
| Schaeffer | Schaeffer 315 Simplex Supreme | Hydraulic Oil | Known for high film strength |
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Best Case TCH Fluid Equivalent
1. John Deere Hy-Gard Transmission & Hydraulic Oil

- Multi-purpose fluid for hydraulics, transmissions, final drives, and wet brakes
- Excellent anti-wear and corrosion protection
- Smooth operation of wet brakes and clutches
- Widely used as a dependable substitute for older tractor hydraulic oils
2. Shell Spirax S4 TXM Tractor Hydraulic & Transmission Fluid

- Designed for hydraulic systems, transmissions, PTOs, and wet brakes
- Strong oxidation resistance for longer service life
- Helps reduce brake chatter and transmission noise
- Suitable for mixed-fleet and older tractor applications
3. Mobilfluid 424 Tractor Hydraulic & Transmission Oil

- Universal tractor fluid for hydraulic and power-shift systems
- Good thermal stability under heavy working conditions
- Protects gears, pumps, and bearings from wear
- Commonly used where Case TCH-type fluids are specified
4. Chevron THF 1000 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid

- All-purpose tractor hydraulic/transmission fluid
- Reliable lubrication for wet brakes and clutches
- Helps maintain a consistent hydraulic response
- Suitable replacement for legacy Case hydraulic fluids
5. MAG 1 Universal Tractor Hydraulic & Transmission Fluid

- Designed for hydraulics, transmissions, and wet brake systems
- Provides solid pump and gear protection
- Budget-friendly option for older tractors
- Works well in general farm and utility equipment
Choosing the Right Case TCH Equivalent
1. For Older Tractors (1970s–1990s)
Use a universal tractor hydraulic fluid (UTHF) like:
- Mobilfluid 424
- Chevron 1000 THF
- Hy-Gard
These give good transmission and hydraulic protection.
2. For Pure Hydraulic Systems Only
Use ISO 46 hydraulic oil like:
- Shell Tellus S2 M 46
- Mobil DTE 15M
These are excellent for loaders, pumps, and cylinders.
3. For Cold Weather
Choose a low-viscosity THF:
- John Deere Low-Viscosity Hy-Gard
- Kubota Super UDT2
They improve winter startup and pump lubrication.
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Case TCH vs Hy-Tran: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Case TCH | Hy-Tran |
|---|---|---|
| Intended Use | Older tractors/hydraulics | Modern Case IH equipment |
| Viscosity | ~10W / ISO 32–46 | Multi-vis, high-performance |
| Friction Modifier | Basic | Advanced, wet brake optimized |
| Moisture Handling | Standard | Superior water-handling |
| Replacement | Mostly outdated | Current Case standard |
What is Case TCH Fluid?
Case TCH fluid is a hydraulic transmission oil originally designed for older Case tractors, construction equipment, and power systems. It was formulated as a mid-viscosity, anti-wear lubricant suitable for:
- Hydraulic systems
- Power steering
- Wet brakes
- Torque converters
- Power-shift transmissions
Case TCH fluid is not to be confused with Hy-Tran, although they are used in similar equipment. TCH is typically equivalent to a SAE 10W or ISO 32-46 hydraulic oil with enhanced anti-wear additives.
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Case TCH Fluid Specifications
Most Case TCH fluid substitutes meet or exceed:
- ISO VG 32–46 viscosity range
- SAE 10W / 10W-20
- Anti-wear additive package (AW)
- Rust & oxidation inhibitors
- Good low-temperature flow
- Compatible with older seals and pump materials
How to Replace Case TCH Fluid
- Warm the equipment so the fluid drains easily.
- Open the drain plug and drain completely.
- Remove and replace any hydraulic or suction filters.
- Flush with a small amount of new fluid (optional but helpful for dirty systems).
- Refill with your chosen TCH equivalent.
- Run the equipment, check for leaks, and top up.
FAQs
What does TCH fluid stand for?
TCH stands for Tractor, Crane, and Hydraulic fluid. It is a multi-purpose fluid designed by Case for older tractors and equipment to provide hydraulic, transmission, and wet brake lubrication in a single product.
Is the transfer case oil the same as transmission fluid?
Not always. While some tractors and equipment use the same fluid for both, transfer case oil often has different friction and viscosity properties than standard transmission fluid. Always check the manufacturer’s specification before using a substitute.
What is Case ETHB fluid?
Case ETHB is a high-performance hydraulic and transmission fluid designed for modern Case tractors and construction equipment. It is an updated alternative to TCH and Hy-Tran, offering better anti-wear properties, oxidation resistance, and protection for wet brakes.
What is the alternative to ISO 46?
ISO 46 hydraulic oil can be replaced by equivalent anti-wear tractor hydraulic fluids (THF) or other ISO 46 AW hydraulic oils from brands like Mobil, Shell, Chevron, or Valvoline. These provide similar viscosity and lubrication performance.
What kind of hydraulic fluid does a Case tractor use?
Older Case tractors originally used TCH fluid, while modern Case tractors often require Hy-Tran, ETHB, or other ISO 46 THF equivalents. The exact fluid depends on the tractor’s year, model, and whether it has wet brakes, power steering, or a power shift transmission.




