Dumped the Cub Cadet Drive System Fluid Plus today.

[JTKub]

I did a little experimentation today for the sake of science. I swapped out the Cub Cadet Drive System Fluid Plus with Shell Rotella-T 15w-40 in my 2005 model year 2544. I last changed the transaxle oil two seasons and about 70hrs ago. I'm just not comfortable leaving a spin-on filter in service for more than a couple of years, although I'm sure they could last longer in a hydraulic type service such as this. The CC stuff I dumped was still honey colored with a very light haze to it. Condensation maybe? Dunno for sure. This is my second round with a Carquest/Wix 85410 trans filter as well. The price of the Carquest filter went up a bit @ $8.40. You might get a better deal on a CC trans filter, which I think are yellow painted Wix anyway. The Shell Rotella-T 15w-40 was $11.99/gal. This is not the synthetic oil. I considered running to Walmart to get Rotella-T 5w-40 synthetic for around $16/gal, but having pondered it for awhile, I decided I'll never see the benefits of synthetic in this application anyway. It's just way to easy to change the trans oil on these machines. If it was a 'sealed' or low sump capacity transaxle, or the machine saw super heavy service I could see it. My 1-2hrs/week for 6-7months? Nah. I'll stick with a dump/fill and filter change every few years. The hydro is as smooth, quiet and responsive as it always was running with this 15w-40. We'll see how she goes! This is the oil I used: http://www.shellusserver.com/products/pdf/RotellaT(CJ-4).pdf

Joel

 

[JSharp]

Well, that's it JT. You didn't use the Cub $9 a quart fluid. I'd expect your hydrostat to explode in a shower of sparks within the first hour of mowing.

Or not... What you put in is probably a good bit better than what you took out.

I've got a few quarts of M1 5W-40 in my stash that I'm holding back just for this purpose. I got it really cheap when the local Wally closed it out.

Have you looked around for the real Wix branded filters locally? Bumper to bumper and O'Reilly should both carry them. I've gotten to be a Wix fan since my son started working at the local B to B...

 

[JTKub]

..Have you looked around for the real Wix branded filters locally? Bumper to bumper and O'Reilly should both carry them. ...

I wish my area had more of a selection of parts stores! All we have is Napa, Carquest, Advance Auto, Autozone and a handful of independents. I think only one independent shop in the Western NY area sells plane white Wix (now called Wix/Affinia). I don't sweat that since Napa/Carquest filters are relabled Wix. The only place you can find Shell R-T 5w-40 in my area is Walmart. Basically none of the auto parts places even stock it. It's super rare to find M1 5w-40 or any of the 0w-x weights as well.

Joel