Did I put in the wrong oil? *Gulp*

[amccune]

So. I've been all over the internets. I realize the debate about transmission fluids, etc. I am NOT trying to start one of those debates...please.

What I am doing is trying to figure out if I need to drain the fluids in my cub and start over. I have a Cub 122....

After a store-to-store search of oil. Engine oil. I was coming up empty handed. First store had SAE30, but $4 a quart for generic. Sorry. Pass!

Anyway, after several stores, I ended up at WalMart. Grabbed a couple of jugs of Rotella T SAE30 (yes, the diesel kind - which I didn't realize until this morning....smh)

I drained the engine and the transmission and filled them both up with the same stuff. Ran it and it shifted smoother (it was getting cranky lately) and seemed to run real nice. Mowed the lawn with it and didn't think anything of it. In fact, I felt like I did something right...with me and machines, that's a major accomplishment.

After talking to my Dad this morning, he said "isn't that stuff high detergent?" Sh**!!!!! After making another trail all over the internet, I'm trying to figure out one thing:

Do I need to drain the fluids in my tractor and replace them with something else?

[R Bedell]

Kohler does in fact recommend a SAE30 Non-Detergent oil.

Personally, I would not be sweating it. I don't think any damage was done. You just want to watch the color of your oil and if (in your judgement) looks too dirty, change it out.

[vartz04]

Weird that you have trouble finding sae30. Put hytran or a off brand hytran in the rear. I never liked the idea of using motor oil for that

[amccune]

That was the other thing - I couldn't find hytran and the closest dealership is about 3 hours from here.

I was shocked that I couldn't find sae30. The were two choices at Wally World.

So, is the oil I bought high detergent?

[Sam Mac]

That's what I use. Also have it in the trans of my 71.

[R Bedell]

Locally here, I have NO issues finding SAE-30. Between TSC, Wal-Mart, and five auto parts store, someone has always got it.

[amccune]

You guys are making me feel a lot better.

I was shocked that I couldn't find it either. Auto parts stores were dead ends. It was weird.

....I never checked tractor supply. Probably should have!

[CADplans]

My Kohler manual says use DETERGENT oil.

They have to say that, as they also recommend 10W-30 for certain temperatures,

I am pretty sure 10W-30 N-D does not exist.

This tractor recommends engine oil for the gear transmission;



That mower deck weighs pretty much the same as a Cub Cadet 122.

Engine oil in a transmission would not bother me. MANY manual pickup transmissions call for it.

If I were to use engine oil, I probably would use synthetic, for MORE power transmission!

If you do use synthetic, don't tell anybody, let them guess why you got the most powerful 122 on the block!!

<-Synthetic oil

[Muzzy]

The Rotella is detergent oil. You're OK using that. I use it in my 126.

[R Bedell]

I stand corrected. Detergent oil is OK....it was the "low ash" I was thinking of, that Cub Cadet recommends.....

See..... Engine Oil