Bulk Lubricants Australia

Catalog / Approvals guides

ZF TE-ML 05 and TE-ML 21 axle oil: which grades are on ZF's list?

ZF publishes a separate list of lubricants for each TE-ML application: TE-ML 05 for construction-machinery axles and TE-ML 21 for tractor axles, harvester transmissions and final drives. The letter after the number is the oil class: A is transmission oil, C adds limited-slip additives and F is universal axle and transmission oil.[1][2]

On ZF's lists dated 1 Oct 2026 we found Traxium Axle 9 80W-90, Traxium Axle 8 FE 80W-140 and Traxium Dual 9 FE 75W-90 under 05A and 21A, Dynatrans DA 80W-90 under 05C and 21C, and Dynatrans MPX under 05F and 21F.[1][2]

Published · Updated · How did we check this? · Pack sizes and prices

Approval status at a glance

Four status levels: OEM-approved (OEM list); TotalEnergies-reported suitable; Meets stated performance (TotalEnergies claim); Confirm in your equipment manual. Where the TotalEnergies product list and data sheet disagree, we show the data sheet’s wording.

Confirm in your equipment manual: Dynatrans DA 85W-90 is on TotalEnergies' documents for ZF 05C/21C but not on ZF's current lists. Confirm with ZF or the machine maker before use.

What do the A, C and F letters mean in ZF TE-ML 05 and 21?

They are ZF's lubricant classes. Class A is 'transmission oil', class C is 'transmission oil with limited-slip additives' and class F is 'universal axle and transmission oil'.[1][2]

Don't put a class A oil where class C (limited-slip) is specified, or the other way round. ZF's lists tie each axle series to its classes, so your axle plate or machine manual decides.(our interpretation)

ZF classes and the TotalEnergies grades on each list (edition 01.10.2026)[1][2]
ClassZF descriptionTE-ML 05 (construction axles)TE-ML 21 (tractor axles)
ATransmission oilTraxium Axle 9 80W-90, Traxium Axle 8 FE 80W-140, Traxium Dual 9 FE 75W-90Same three grades
CTransmission oil with limited-slip additivesDynatrans DA 80W-90Dynatrans DA 80W-90
FUniversal axle and transmission oilDynatrans MPXDynatrans MPX

Is a TE-ML 05 oil also right for a ZF tractor axle (TE-ML 21)?

Only if it is listed under TE-ML 21 as well. Each of the five grades above appears under the matching 21 class (21A, 21C or 21F) as well as under 05.[1][2]

A listing under one TE-ML number doesn't carry over to another, so check the number on your axle or in your manual.(our interpretation)

Does a ZF listing mean ZF endorses the oil?

No. ZF's disclaimer says the lists document lubricants tested for compatibility with its products, and the listing 'does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or preference'. Checking suitability stays with the customer.[1]

The machine maker's manual (for example for a loader, grader or tractor built around a ZF axle) can be stricter than ZF's list. Follow the manual first.(our interpretation)

Why are Dynatrans DA 85W-90 and DA 85W-140 not shown as ZF-listed?

TotalEnergies' data sheet lists ZF TE-ML 05C and 21C for Dynatrans DA 85W-90, but we couldn't find it on ZF's 05C or 21C lists dated 1 Oct 2026, so we show it as 'confirm'. For DA 85W-140, TotalEnergies says only 'suitable for' 05C and 21C.[1][2][7][8]

Where TotalEnergies' documents list classes that ZF's current lists don't contain, we leave those classes out.(our interpretation)

Supply

Pack sizes and prices from Bulk Lubricants Australia

Pick the class (A, C or F) and viscosity your axle needs first. For a ZF-listed choice, use one of the first five grades; the last two need confirming. For tractor transmission-hydraulic oil, see the John Deere J20C vs J20D guide.(our interpretation) Traxium Axle 9 80W-90, Dynatrans MPX, Dynatrans DA 85W-140 and Dynatrans DA 85W-90 come in drums; Traxium Axle 8 FE 80W-140 comes in 20 L packs and drums; Traxium Dual 9 FE 75W-90 and Dynatrans DA 80W-90 come in 1 L packs and drums. Each is quoted per order, for collection from Maddington (Perth) or freight Australia-wide. Status details are in the panel above.

TRAXIUM AXLE 9 80W-90 SAE 80W-90

  • ZF TE-ML 05A and 21A: OEM-approved (OEM list)

Pack sizes: Drum

Request a price for TRAXIUM AXLE 9 80W-90 SAE 80W-90

TRAXIUM AXLE 8 FE 80W-140 SAE 80W-140

  • ZF TE-ML 05A and 21A: OEM-approved (OEM list)

Pack sizes: 20L, Drum

Request a price for TRAXIUM AXLE 8 FE 80W-140 SAE 80W-140

TRAXIUM DUAL 9 FE 75W-90 SAE 75W-90

  • ZF TE-ML 05A and 21A: OEM-approved (OEM list)

Pack sizes: 1L, Drum

Request a price for TRAXIUM DUAL 9 FE 75W-90 SAE 75W-90

DYNATRANS DA 80W-90 SAE 80W-90

  • ZF TE-ML 05C and 21C: OEM-approved (OEM list)

Pack sizes: 1L, Drum

Request a price for DYNATRANS DA 80W-90 SAE 80W-90

DYNATRANS MPX SAE 10W-30 or SAE 80

  • ZF TE-ML 05F and 21F: OEM-approved (OEM list)

Pack sizes: Drum

Request a price for DYNATRANS MPX SAE 10W-30 or SAE 80

DYNATRANS DA 85W-140 SAE 85W-140

  • ZF TE-ML 05C and 21C: TotalEnergies-reported suitable

Pack sizes: Drum

Request a price for DYNATRANS DA 85W-140 SAE 85W-140

DYNATRANS DA 85W-90 SAE 85W-90

  • ZF TE-ML 05C and 21C: Confirm in your equipment manual

Pack sizes: Drum

Request a price for DYNATRANS DA 85W-90 SAE 85W-90

How did we check this?

On 24 Oct 2026 we searched ZF's TE-ML 05 and TE-ML 21 lists of lubricants (edition 01.10.2026) for each TotalEnergies grade we stock. We then compared the results with each grade's TotalEnergies data sheet and the TotalEnergies product list supplied to us. A grade is shown as ZF-listed only when we found it on ZF's list.

Found an error or a newer list? Email quotes@bulklubricants.com.au with the source and we’ll review this page.

Where does this information come from?

  1. ZF Friedrichshafen: List of lubricants TE-ML 05, edition 01.10.2026 (PDF)
  2. ZF Friedrichshafen: List of lubricants TE-ML 21, edition 01.10.2026 (PDF)
  3. TotalEnergies data sheet: Traxium Axle 9 80W-90, last updated Jun 2025 (PDF)
  4. TotalEnergies data sheet: Traxium Axle 8 FE 80W-140, last updated Oct 2026 (PDF)
  5. TotalEnergies data sheet: Traxium Dual 9 FE 75W-90, last updated Apr 2026 (PDF)
  6. TotalEnergies data sheet: Dynatrans DA 80W-90, last updated Apr 2024 (PDF)
  7. TotalEnergies data sheet: Dynatrans DA 85W-90, last updated Jan 2023 (PDF)
  8. TotalEnergies data sheet: Dynatrans DA 85W-140, last updated May 2023 (PDF)
  9. TotalEnergies product list supplied to Bulk Lubricants Australia, Oct 2026 (not public)