Hydro break-in oil change--GT2554

[turbojerk]

How many hours should I rack up on my new GT2554 before I consider changing the original fluid and filter in the hydro unit?

The owners manual said 100hrs, but it also said that for the "shipping" motor oil in the crank case and I surely wasn't going to run the crap that long......

Thanks
Troy

 

[DmansPadge]

I think 100 hours would be fine. If your really worried about it you could do it around 50 hours... but I don't think there is much need to.

 

[JSharp]

Interesting. I just looked through my 2554 manual because I was sure it said the hydrostat oil didn't need changed until 200 hours but to do a couple of filter changes along the way and top up the fluid. I found notes in the maintenance table to change the *filter* at 10 hours and again at 50 hours but I can't find the interval for the oil itself.

 

[Bob_Bainbridge]

My 3235 manual says to change the trans filter at 100 hours and every 50 hours after that. Trans oil change is recommended at 150 hours, 250 hours etc. Both those numbers seem like a little overkill to me. My old 1450 recommended trans filter every 100 hours, which I followed for 26 years, and I don't think there was ANY recommendation to change the oil. Maybe because that oil was much cheaper than the newer synthetic. The only time I changed it was when I had to tear it apart to replace the trans/differential seal. The hydro is sealed and doesn't get contaminated like engine oil so unless the hydro overheated and the oil suffered high temp breakdown, it should last quite awhile.

Bob B.

 

[JTKub]

On my 2544, I (stupidly) changed the hydro oil and filter at around 10hrs. My goal was to just swap out the filter, but unbeknownst to me, a gallon of $$ "CC drive system fluid plus" gushed out once the filter was removed. I'd leave the hydro alone for atleast one full season, then just change the filter. You need quick hands, some sort of plug, or just lift the front end WAY off the ground such that you loose minimal oil once you remove the horizontal filter. Be sure to clean up the dirt from all around the filter area PRIOR to removing the old filter so you don't induce any debris into the oil system. That will kill a hydro in short order.

G/luck
Joel

 

[Fordlords]

As it's filtered and the new fluid is synthetic, I'd just do an initial fluid/filter change after the first season to be safe to remove any initial metal flash, etc, then fluid/filter changes every 100 hours or 3 seasons afterwards under normal non-abusive use. Every time the fluid was drained out of my 682 I swear it looked like I was just throwing away perfectly clean fluid. The big shaft drive hydros hold a lot of fluid, which also helps to keep it cool and clean for a long time. Don't forget that synthetic hy-tran is made from freshly squeezed gold and platinum

-Fordlords-

 

[Mickey_Fx]

Based on prior experience over last 30+ yrs, I have no intension of changing the trans fluid ever 100 hrs and filter ever 50 hrs. Can't envision the amount of wear to the trans that would require service that often. I did replace the filter on the Cub at 50 hrs.

Still have my 70 Bolens I bought new and it has had filter and fluid changed maybe twice and no problems. 87 JD never changed the fluid in it but it did have a small leak and just kept the trans topped off. Had nearly 2000 hrs on it when replaced and never a trans problem.

I'm sure that many/most won't agree with my level of service on the trans but I'll stick with prior experience to guide me.