Hydraulic Oil 68 Price in India: 46 vs 68 and Refill Cost by Machine

Hydraulic oil ISO VG 68 is listed at about ₹95 to ₹300 a litre in India, and most well-known 68 grades cost ₹100 to ₹175 a litre. That puts a 20-litre bucket at about ₹2,400 to ₹3,500 and a 210-litre drum at about ₹20,000 to ₹30,000. Refilling the hydraulic tank of a backhoe loader takes 80 to 120 litres on most models, about ₹10,400 to ₹15,600 of oil at ₹130 a litre. These are seller listings for new, sealed packs that we checked on 29 September 2026.

Most people who search “hydraulic oil 68 price” are buying for a machine, and the hydraulic tank is the biggest oil bill on it. This page covers what VG 68 and VG 46 cost by pack, the difference between the two grades, what a full hydraulic refill costs on excavators, backhoe loaders and hydra cranes, and why prices for the same grade differ.

What does hydraulic oil 68 cost in India?

Prices come from seller listings on IndiaMART and a lubricant retailer’s own shop. Several are quoted before GST, and IndiaMART prices are often for traders buying more than one pack. Castrol, Gulf, Mobil and other lubricant companies sell VG 68 anti-wear hydraulic oils in the same bands. Per litre, a 210-litre drum usually costs less than a 20-litre bucket, which matters for a fleet but rarely for one machine.

What is the difference between hydraulic oil 46 and 68?

The number is the viscosity grade, set by the ISO standard: how thick the oil is at 40°C. VG 68 is thicker than VG 46. A thicker oil holds its film better when the oil runs hot. A thinner one flows more easily when the machine is cold.

Many machine makers fill with VG 46 as standard and allow VG 68 for hot climates or hard work, and some specify VG 68 outright. In an Indian summer, with a machine on a breaker or a long digging shift, the oil can run hot. That is the situation VG 68 is made for, but switch only if the manual allows it. The excavator hydraulic oil temperature guide explains why oil overheats and what to check.

• Use the grade your operator manual names for your temperature range. The pump, valves and seals are built around it.
• Do not mix grades in one tank. If you change grade, drain and refill with the filters changed.
• Look at the type as well as the number. “HVI” or “HVLP” oils hold their thickness over a wider range of temperatures, and “AW” or “HLP” means anti-wear additives. These cost more than a plain VG 68 of the same number.

Veedol, for example, sells hydraulic oils in both HLP and HVI types, and other lubricant companies offer similar grades; compare the type on the label before the price.

This is a general guide based on machine size class. Always confirm the fit with your machine’s operator manual or the manufacturer before buying or fitting.

How much does it cost to refill the hydraulic tank?

Multiply the hydraulic tank capacity by the price per litre. The capacities below come from the service figures published for the machines in our catalogue, and the cost column uses ₹130 a litre, a typical price for a well-known VG 68 in a 20-litre bucket.

A full drain uses more than the tank figure, because oil also sits in the pump, hoses, cylinders and motors. On excavators that publish both figures, the full system holds a median of 1.82 times the tank, so ask a workshop whether the quote is for a tank change or a full flush. Add the filters, which are changed with the oil. The exact figure for each model is in the capacity guides for excavators, backhoe loaders and hydra cranes.

Why does the same hydraulic oil grade have different prices?

• Type of oil. A high viscosity index (HVI) or premium anti-wear oil costs more than a plain VG 68.
• Pack size. A 210-litre drum is cheapest per litre, a 20 or 26-litre bucket is in the middle and a 5-litre can is dearest.
• Own-label or lubricant company. A machine maker’s own-label oil is sold through its dealers, often at a higher price per litre.
• City, seller and GST. The same bucket is listed at different prices in different cities, and some prices exclude GST.
• Seal and batch. A bucket offered far below the usual price may not be what the label says. Check the seal and batch number, and keep the invoice.

How often is hydraulic oil changed, and how should you buy it?

On machines sold in India, hydraulic oil is usually changed at around 1,000 to 2,000 hours, with the return filter changed every 250 to 500 hours; the manual sets the exact figure. A machine on a breaker or in heavy dust needs it sooner. The hydraulic system maintenance guide covers the intervals and the warning signs of tired oil, and the rock breaker price guide explains what a breaker costs to run.

• Buy the whole refill in one grade and one brand, so the tank is not a mix.
• Keep buckets closed and upright, out of the sun and rain. Water in hydraulic oil turns it milky and wears the pump.
• Pour through a clean funnel with a filter. Dust in new oil does the same damage as dust in old oil.

Engine oil for the same machines is priced in the JCB engine oil price guide. To compare the machines themselves, browse the range of excavators and backhoe loaders.

Prices, specifications and fitments are indicative, vary by maker, model, city and date, and should be confirmed with the manufacturer or an authorised dealer before buying. DesiMachines is not liable for decisions taken on the basis of information that may have changed after publication.