Transaxle Fluid

[NibbanaFarm]

I've been using 15-40 motor oil in my 2544 transaxle for about 5 years now and it's working good. (Just to save money from having to use the expensive CC oil.) I use Traveller Universal Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission fluid in my BCS two wheel tractor. I'm thinking this would be good for the CC 2544 transaxle also.

Any thoughts?

 

[rocco611]

Rotella T is a popular oil option for the 2544 transaxle, its proven to work well and not expensive. I have not heard of anyone using universal hydraulic oil. does it meet the spec for the CC 2544 transaxle?

 

[bmaverick]

I've been using 15-40 motor oil in my 2544 transaxle for about 5 years now and it's working good. (Just to save money from having to use the expensive CC oil.) I use Traveller Universal Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission fluid in my BCS two wheel tractor. I'm thinking this would be good for the CC 2544 transaxle also.

Any thoughts?

I too would agree, the Cub Cadet transaxle fluid in pure greed at a farm store selling for $22 a quart! I've gotten by with Mopar ATF+4 synthetic for almost 20 years. The first change, the Cub transaxle fluid was nasty, took 2 diesel fuel rinses to get it cleaned out, now, it comes out clean with the ATF+4. It's only $6qt, $4qt when on sale.

 

[NibbanaFarm]

Rotella T is a popular oil option for the 2544 transaxle, its proven to work well and not expensive. I have not heard of anyone using universal hydraulic oil. does it meet the spec for the CC 2544 transaxle?

I'm not aware of any spec's available for that. CC is making a lot of money off this stuff and isn't about to help you with aftermarket options that are going to be a fraction of the price.

I think I read on this board years ago that Hydrogear made the transaxles and said they spec'ed 5-40 or 15-40 at the factory.

 

[RandyT]

the truth is most hydrostat transmissions are not fluid picky. And will operate on just about everything you dump into one.

Example Hydro-gear used 20W50 from the factory. The OEM companies that use hydro-gear pumps on the Z turns will recommend their own fluid which I know for a fact has been 10W30, 10W40, 15W40, 20W20.

tuff-Torq from the factory recommend 5W50 full synthetic. JD uses Hy-Gard Low-viscosity in all their hydrostats on lawnmowers. And I am not sure, but wouldn't be surprised in that CC transaxle that they call for their special fluid isn't a Tuff-Torq.

 

[RandyT]

I'm not aware of any spec's available for that. CC is making a lot of money off this stuff and isn't about to help you with aftermarket options that are going to be a fraction of the price.

I think I read on this board years ago that Hydrogear made the transaxles and said they spec'ed 5-40 or 15-40 at the factory.

I was thinking they were Tuff-torq which is 5W50 full synthetic from the factory. But in the event it is a Hydro-gear then the factory fill is 20W50.

 

[5030]

Anything but the cheap Traveller fluid will work. That Traveller stuff is bad ju-ju.

 

[bmaverick]

Anything but the cheap Traveller fluid will work. That Traveller stuff is bad ju-ju.

indeed correct.

Everyone please be aware of,
NEVER use anything out there with the JD303. Class action lawsuits in the past decade of RUINED tractors came about. NAPA, TSC and many other store brands uses the CHEAPER ju-ju formulas.

 

[bmaverick]

I'm not aware of any spec's available for that. CC is making a lot of money off this stuff and isn't about to help you with aftermarket options that are going to be a fraction of the price.

I think I read on this board years ago that Hydrogear made the transaxles and said they spec'ed 5-40 or 15-40 at the factory.

The Mopar ATF+4 works, it's 10W30 synthetic base transaxle fluid. It's Ashland-Valvoline.

 

[NibbanaFarm]

Anything but the cheap Traveller fluid will work. That Traveller stuff is bad ju-ju.

The reason why I use it is because it's one of the fluids that BCS lists as acceptable. And the only one that was available nearby.

 

[5030]

I hate it when a manufacturer doesn't spec oils then expects you to pay a ridiculous price for their "proprietary fluid." I bought a new Harley-Davidson bagger I was told by the dealer to only use the Harley-Davidson brand oils. The way they described it it was a special oil that you could only get from them that came from a special oil well that pumped crude formed from badass T-Rex dinosaurs and added 20hp

Your initial problem was you bought an over priced bike with caveman technology and then succumbed to some salesman's song about HD oil.

Can I sell you the Brooklyn Bridge?

 

[5030]

The reason why I use it is because it's one of the fluids that BCS lists as acceptable. And the only one that was available nearby.

Candidly, I don't care if you urinate in the transaxle, it's yours and the sole responsibility for it's longevity or failure lies solely with you and you alone. One thing I never 'cheap out' on is lubricants. You always (or in most cases) get what you pay for.

 

[Storm56]

Anything but the cheap Traveller fluid will work. That Traveller stuff is bad ju-ju.

You may do well to put your biases aside. Accredited labs such as Blackstone has analyzed new and used Travelers Products many times and declared them to be a good oil.

I am in no way implying that they are a Kubota SUDT oil, but if they meet spec for your piece of equipment, it will do no harm in using it.

 

[tracter]

Go to the Hydrogear site and look up BDU 10 it will give you the correct info
Tracter

 

[Willman]

I've been using 15-40 motor oil in my 2544 transaxle for about 5 years now and it's working good. (Just to save money from having to use the expensive CC oil.) I use Traveller Universal Tractor Hydraulic/Transmission fluid in my BCS two wheel tractor. I'm thinking this would be good for the CC 2544 transaxle also.

Any thoughts?

I have a 1986 model 1610 that i ran Traveller hy-tran for many years
It has a Peerless transaxle with a Eaton pump
Last spring i pulled the transaxle out and split it open to replace a snapped axle (broke at wheel)
The gears and differential looked like new inside
I refilled with Traveller again

 

[Rhino35]

Just did a Zero Force SZ model Cub Cadet's both side transmission HydroGear fluid and filter change. The dealership had some expensive stuff, but the owner said using their Kioti brand 20-50W would work just as well and a lot cheaper. I had a heck of time with this job and will post in another thread.

 

[bmaverick]

Just did a Zero Force SZ model Cub Cadet's both side transmission HydroGear fluid and filter change. The dealership had some expensive stuff, but the owner said using their Kioti brand 20-50W would work just as well and a lot cheaper. I had a heck of time with this job and will post in another thread.

When I had a peerless 2000 transaxle, I was shocked by the $16 per quart Cub Cadet price on it. So I ran Mopar ATF+4 synthetic instead at $4 per qt. No issues with the hydro after that either.