Newbie Maintenance

[zhr10]

Hello All,

I just purchased a GT2550 after a lot of research and help from this board. I wanted to thank all for their input.

I was wondering if there was a site or posting for maint for the 2500 series already out there. I tried searching and found several for other makes of GT but none for the 2500 series.

If there isn't I would appreciate any input from experienced users and would be glad to compile the info take pics while I was doing the work and then post.

I read through my manual and it looks like the first real maint is the lubing at 10 hours. Any recs on the grease or tool to use to get this done. I read various posts about this on other tractors and the consensus seems to be a grease pistol.

Also what is the easiest way to get under the tractor. I have various floor jacks and jack stands but I did not see in the owners manual any fixed jack points per say.

Thanks for the input in advance.

Raul

 

[JTKub]

Raul, I've found it's easiest to just remove the deck and slide under. I think you'll find plenty of room that way. Ramps and jack stands work, but have to be placed so close together, it's tough to find room under the machine. Hopefully you've done your research. There's no need to buy Cub Cadet Drive System Fluid Plus hydro oil. Shell Rotella-T 15w40 or 5w40 are proven alternatives. Motorcraft FL400 / Supertech 3600 are a proven alternative engine oil filter, 2x as long as 'factory'. The trans and engine air filters can also be had at Napa or Carquest, but aren't any cheaper if that's what you're after. I use Supertech multi purpose lithium grease. The little cartridges for a small grease gun I have. I grease about every 20hrs or atleast once a year. Don't overgrease or you will make a mess and potentially ruin your deck belts. You'll find the trans a pain to fill. It's very slow with the tiny dipstick/fill port. You'll also find you'll loose several quarts of trans oil by removing the filter. You've either got to be real quick, lift the front of the tractor off the ground or plug the threaded filter nipple to prevent the loss.

Joel

 

[magicalj]

YOu can just stick your thumb over the filter nipple and prevent most of the fluid loss. Just make sure you have the new filter sitting next to you with the seal already oiled so you can put the new one on quick. When I did mine, I only lost a quart of fluid and that includes the fluid lossed that was in the old filter. I personally don't like mixing oil, so I bought a $13 quart of Drive System Fluid Plus. Not to mention, if you use any other fluid, it will void your warranty. I would also recommend buying the Cub Cadet tranny filter. There are too many variables in valves and spring pressures inside the filter itself to really properly cross reference one. If you want to make sure your tranny is going to perform like it should, stick with the cub filter.

AJ

 

[JTKub]

Good call on the thumb stick. I've done it. It works. I totally respect one's wishes to stay OEM on fluids, filters, etc.. It's good to shop your local stores. What bothers me greatly is the belief that using non OEM will void your warranty. It doesn't, never did and legally cannot. In the unlikely event your transaxle did take a dump; #1 it would have to be a lubrication related issue. If it was starvation due to lack of level, it wouldn't matter if you had the Cub stuff or otherwise in there, you're done, it's on your dime. #2, there's no way a Cub dealer would know or be able to tell the difference between Cub, Rotella-T, Amsoil, M1, etc.... trans oil. If the trans crapped under warranty, there's clean oil at a proper level in the trans, a quality, per spec hydraulic filter installed (like the Wix you'd get at Napa or Carquest) and no signs of physical abuse to the tractor there is no way a dealer could refuse warranty coverage on the trans issue. I do think the non-yellow filter on the trans *could* raise an eyebrow, but provided it's a per spec Wix hydraulic filter, your good.

On a side note, I do think it's a good idea to swap out the factory trans oil somewhere around the first year. Myself and other owners have reported some cloudy streaks in the used oil. To me it looks like remnants of assembly lube dissolved in the oil. After the first change it's gone.

Joel