Price Check Price gouge?

OhioGuy · Jun 14, 2005

I picked up a number of supplies today for my new 5252. I was surprised they didn't stock an air cleaner or pre filter but more surprised at the cost of the suggested hydraulic fluid.

$31.64 per gallon for part # 737-3121, just not acceptable.

I bought 1 gallon because the 25 hour service requires changing both the hydraulic and hydrostatic filters and the manual suggests you might lose some fluid in the process. It suggests you might capture it cleanly and reuse it, was this tech writer smoking crack or am I just a pessimist. I see a container with grass clippings and othe debris floating that I would never consider pouring back in my tractor, unless replacement fluid was $32 a GALLON!!!!!

Does anyone have a website for ordering these supplies or an alternate part number or any other advice?

$32 a gallon, I think hydro for my Ford was about $45 for five gallons.

Thanks,
Curt

JimR · Jun 14, 2005

Go to (TSC)Tractor Supply Company and get your fluids there. That is where I buy my Hydro fluid. I can check to see which one it is if you like. The store told me which one to use with my tractor. You do not have to use Cub Brand oils. What is the part number of your air filter?

Outlander1 · Jun 14, 2005

Ahhh MTGreeD strikes again. Here is my latest....Decided it would be nice to have a spare set of blades for my 60" MMM on my 7205. So I rings up the CC place and was given a price of $65 per blade...How can this be? I'm lightheaded at this point. So I decided to Google the P/N and see if anything came up. I found what was claimed to be the exact replacement blade for $10.79 each. Figured there had to be a catch but I ordered them anyway not expecting much. They arrived and they are exactly the same. I even miked the thickness to be sure. MTD corporate likes to blame their prices on their suppliers.....I'm not convinced that is the problem. If you work at it you can find that oil for less. See if Case/IH might have a match. Viscosity Oil Company makes that stuff for Case and CC.

DmansPadge · Jun 14, 2005

There is no doubt that buying anything at the dealer will burn a hole in your pocket. On my Kubota the dealer is fairly close to aftermarket brand prices. But I can't imagine paying $32 for a gallon of anything other than liquid gold. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'm sure you can find other brands that meet the specs for considerably less.

OhioGuy · Jun 15, 2005

Jim,
Does your 7000 series call for "Drive System Fluid Plus"? And if it does, did you find a substitute at TSC. I guess the good news is you only need to change it every 200 hours, the bad news is it's going to cost $160 for the 20 quarts needed. There is no description in the manual regarding any specs on the oil, they want their money!

I ordered a spare set of blades and didn't think to ask the price, I'm guessing they're going to be the High Dollar ones also, the part # is 759-04013, 60" high lift blades if anyone has a substitute.

The air filter is a KH-24-083-03 and the foam precleaner is a KH-24-083-05.

Thanks guys,
Curt

ducati996 · Jun 15, 2005

Its a synthetic blend oil which nobody has found a direct replacement for. You will not find an subsitute at TSC,
so rule that out. Overall the price you paid is what it goes for...
Some folks seem to feel 15w-50 sythetic will work, but I havent heard any feedback on long term or warranty disclaimers....after the 2 years are up, then go experiment I would say...
Lots of discussions on this Cub oil in this forum...nobody has found a viable answer as of yet....

Ducati

JimR · Jun 15, 2005

My manual just calls for Cub Cadet hydraulic transmission fluid. It's nice how they are very vague about this. TCS told me that there are only two kinds. I have (2) 5 gallon buckets in my garage right now. One is Valvoline and the other is Traveller. Both say "Premium Universal Trans Tractor Fluid" on the outside of the container. The foam pre-filter can be blown out with an air hose. I would do the same to the air filter till it becomes too dirty to clean. My 72 inch high lifts cost me $75.00. They are not thin cheap blades either. They come in a kit with new bolts and spring washers. I keep an extra set on hand so I don't have to worry about keeping mine sharp all the time. I just swap them out and sharpen the other set when I get a chance to. I tried crossing your air filter number on Donaldsons and Wix, no luck on either.

ducati996 · Jun 15, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My manual just calls for Cub Cadet hydraulic transmission fluid. It's nice how they are very vague about this. TCS told me that there are only two kinds. I have (2) 5 gallon buckets in my garage right now. One is Valvoline and the other is Traveller. Both say "Premium Universal Trans Tractor Fluid" on the outside of the container. The foam pre-filter can be blown out with an air hose. I would do the same to the air filter till it becomes too dirty to clean. My 72 inch high lifts cost me $75.00. They are not thin cheap blades either. They come in a kit with new bolts and spring washers. I keep an extra set on hand so I don't have to worry about keeping mine sharp all the time. I just swap them out and sharpen the other set when I get a chance to. I tried crossing your air filter number on Donaldsons and Wix, no luck on either. )</font>

Is it red in color ?? and what would the Cub part number be in the service manual that they suggest?

viking65 · Jun 15, 2005

Maybe the pricing on Cub filters and fluids is high, but I cannot justify trying to save a few $ after I have spent thousands of $ on a new tractor. We research, demo, and think about what tractor to buy for months, even years then we write a big check or make monthly payments and then we are going to obsess about what filter and what fluids we will put on and into our tractors all in an effort to save a little bit of money every 50 or 200 hours of operation.

I bought a new Cub Cadet 5234D so I am going to use Cub Cadet fluids and filters in my tractor. I just find it to be one less thing to think about and worry about. No warranty issues, no cross checking to find a comparable replacement, no worries. When the warranty is up I'll continue to use Cub filters and fluids.

I am by no means knocking what anyone is doing by trying to find money saving alternatives but I just don't understand why someone would pinch pennies on a very expensive piece of equipment.

OhioGuy · Jun 15, 2005

Viking,

I don't disagree, I've owned Cubs for years and always used the recommended hydro and engine oils. On those tractors, there has been a lot of discussion about alternatives but like you suggested it was safer to stick with the Cub product.

This board is a great place to get another view and if I'd heard numerous folks had found a good substitute, I would certainly consider it.

But that aint what I'm hearin!

I'll undoubtedly spend the $160 at 200 hours for those same reasons, the price gouging is just a sore spot with me.

I think the 5 gallons of hydro fluid for my Ford tractor was about $40.

Curt