Hydrostatic fluid change?
 

I was looking in the 2155 manual at the lubrication schedule. It says to change the hydro filter every 100 hours and to check/top off at every use. But it doesn’t say anything about actually changing the fluid? Is that correct, is it meant to be permanent just change filter and top it off as needed?

On the topping-off fluid, it looks like the original 737-3055 Drive System Oil has been discontinued and replaced with 737-3120 Drive System Fluid Plus, which is synthetic. I know this horse has beaten to death, but is it safe to mix the two if I’m just topping it off when changing the filter? I called multiple repair shops and the responses ranged from “it should be fine they are the same thing” to “don’t mix them drain and replace all the fluid with the new stuff”.

I can’t seem to get a straight answer from anywhere, is it safe to mix the Drive System Oil with its official replacement Drive System Fluid Plus, or is there a compatible oil I can use instead?

I actually called Cub Cadet and got transferred from Customer Service to Tech Support. The guy couldn’t even find my model of tractor in the system. But he did find the model of the Drive System Oil 737-3055 and confirmed that 737-3120 is the direct replacement and it should be ok to blend the two. But I’m still not sure I trust it as I said he couldn’t even find my tractor in the system…

If you take time to do a Google search on the subject of your anxiety, you will find that the overwhelming consensus of results says that adding synthetic lubricants to conventional lubricants, or vice-versa, has no ill affect.
The only drawback is that if the synthetic is not 100%, you do not get the 100% of the benefits of synthetics.

I found what was labeled as an “Elite” dealer on the CC website and I called them as well. The guy said the new stuff is formulated to go with and replace the old stuff so it’s safe to mix them. He also said the actual manufacture of the transmission (I think he said HydroTrans or something similar) has authorized them to use *specifically* Kawasaki branded 20W50 synthetic oil as a cheaper alternative to the CC drive system fluid plus.

It wasn’t so much anxiety as me not wanting to destroy the transmission by putting the wrong fluid in it. My forte is computer/IT work, but I’m slowly branching into mechanical stuff with the help of the internet and forums like this one.

He Said "HYDRO-GEAR", which is what you have. They use 20W-50 as you can see from their repair manual.

That’s what I was missing I guess. I didn’t know who makes the transmission itself, so I wasn’t able to look it up further. All I had was the CC manual for the tractor itself. Maybe this will help anyone who is looking for this information in the future…

So Im finally going to change the hydro fluid, and man that 20W50 synthetic is EXPENSIVE! The only kind I could find around these parts is motorcycle oil, and it's $11/quart.

Guy at the store asked what it was going in, and I once I explained it was for a 20+ year old hydrostatic transmission he said plainly "they didn't even use synthetic oil in those 25 years ago, so IF it's the original oil (which I think it is) and it's lasted this long, I see no issue continuing to use non-synthetic".

So I guess I'll just put plain old oil in the hydro, at least I know it works with that for sure...

Just match the viscosity as show in the posted chart. If you're going to spend that money, might as well get OEM from a dealer (here's some online: https://www.farmandfleet.com/s/?keyword=cub+cadet+fluid).

Have you tried yer local Walmart? :bigthink:

Yeah Walmart did have 20W50 synthetic but it was also listed as motorcycle oil. It was around $9/quart.

Most list it as that. My dad ran into the same thing for his Z Force ZTR (also hydro gear transmissions).

Ok I drained the fluid and installed a new OEM filter, then filled it with 6 quarts of 20W 50 oil. Checked the dipstick and it showed FULL. Drove it around and it seemed fine. No drips, no leaks.

Let it sit for 2 days and now dipstick shows ADD. I noticed it was not entirely level, so I disengaged the Hydro and pushed it forward a bit until it's level. Now dipstick reads HALF FULL.

I don't see ANY fluid on the ground, where did it go? I don't see anything around the drain plug or filter itself, no way it lost 3 quarts (half) just sitting 2 days...

You have a dipstick that reads HALF FULL? Picture please! Most dipsticks I've seen shows the lowest allowable level as well as the highest allowable oil level. I've never seen a HALF FULL! A manual I found online advise that your 2155 takes
approximate 6 quarts. Did you check your oil after running it the first time. I'm sure some oil level loss would be attributed to displacement into oil filter as well as splashed onto gears before settling down. .....So, I'm curious to how much more oil you will need to top off the dipstick. I bet it's less than a quart.

By half full I mean between the ADD and FULL marks. It showed FULL after I drove it around post fluid change.

A reading between add and full means the oil is in acceptable range. So you are good!

Ok whew I was beginning to wonder if it all evaporated lol

Here is how to check your fluid per page #23 of the Owners Manual.

Here is the correct and proper Hydro fluid to use, per the Owner's Manual, on page #60. 737-3055, This part is replaced by 490-000-C051.

Has anyone used Traveller universal Tractor Trans/Hydraulic Fluid instead of CC 737-3025?

A little bit of information
Oz
https://i.postimg.cc/5t11cFvh/Cub-specs-000014.png
https://i.postimg.cc/44Mgf0Vb/Cub-specs-000015.png

That dipstick looks like my engine oil one , my hydro dipstick has only 2 stamped lines
Oz

Yes, I have on several of my machines. I also use Rotella & generic 15W40 dino on a few. I have never seen a machine have any failure because I didn't use Hytran or the overpriced Cub synthetic oils.

Thanks for that info. For as much as I'll be using this tractor I was probably going with that. The oil in it now has probably been in it for 30+ yrs. As long as you keep the filter changed and fresh oil in it I'm sure it'll be fine.

The dipstick for a Gt 2550 Hydro
Oz

https://i.postimg.cc/3xHNQqYt/Screen...lstra-Mail.png

And the oil I use in said Hydro
https://i.postimg.cc/Yq3D5jrp/Cub-specs-000016.png