Short answer
MAT 3525 is a CNH Industrial material specification for a tractor transmission and hydraulic fluid, the kind used in a shared sump that serves the transmission, hydraulics, final drives and wet brakes. It appears in many Case IH and New Holland operator’s manuals and on fluid labels. CNH uses other MAT numbers for related fluids, so match the exact number in your manual.
What a MAT number is
CNH Industrial, the parent of Case IH and New Holland, identifies its fluid requirements with “MAT” material specification numbers. A tractor manual may call for MAT 3525 for the transmission-hydraulic system, and CNH-branded and other suppliers’ fluids list the MAT numbers they are sold against.
These numbers replaced or sit alongside older Case and Ford/New Holland specification numbers, which still appear on labels for older tractors.
What MAT 3525 fluids are used for
MAT 3525 covers a universal tractor transmission oil type: one fluid that serves as hydraulic oil, gear lubricant for the transmission and final drives, and the friction medium for wet brakes and clutches in the same sump. That combination is why friction behavior is part of the requirement, not just viscosity.
MAT 3525 versus other CNH numbers
CNH lists other MAT numbers for related tractor fluids, including MAT 3505 and MAT 3540, and some newer transmissions, such as certain CVT tractors, call for a specific number. Owners comparing MAT 3505 and MAT 3525 labels often see different operating temperature ranges between them.
Because CNH has revised its fluid line over time and dealers sometimes supply a newer fluid as a replacement, it’s worth asking a Case IH or New Holland dealer to confirm current guidance for your model and serial number rather than relying on cross-reference charts.
Reading a universal tractor fluid label
Universal tractor fluids frequently list many OEM specifications at once. Listing MAT 3525 is the supplier’s claim unless CNH has approved that product. Before buying, compare the exact MAT number with your manual and confirm it in the current product data sheet.
Frequently asked questions
Is MAT 3525 the same as MAT 3505?
They are separate CNH numbers. Use the one your manual lists, or ask a CNH dealer whether a substitute is approved for your machine.
Which tractors use MAT 3525?
Many Case IH and New Holland tractors list it, but not all. Check the operator’s manual for your model.
General maintenance information. Always follow your vehicle or equipment manufacturer’s requirements and the current product data. Questions? Email [email protected].