Cub Cadet 3208 rear end & fluid

[Sebastion]

Hi all, New here as you can see. I recently traded my old boat for 4 Cub Cadets! to me it was worth it, I love boats and watercraft as my dad is a marine engineer but I do not have the free time to enjoy it. The Cub Cadets are a 3208, 2135, GT2550 and a 149. They all have issues and so did my boat so I'm in the plus since I have many uses for these when running. I currently I have an LT1024 I use for mowing 6 acres I was given that needed work and now runs like a champ.

My main project that I want to fix is the Cub cadet 3208, it will not move and has a bad leak at the rear axle. My main hope for this tractor is it came with a huge 48" snowblower that will save me so much time. The model number on that axle is 618-3194 I was told to put oil in it and see if it spins whilst jacked up but the OEM oil is at a ridiculous price is there any alternatives in bulk I can buy?

After trying this I will determine whether I need a new rear end or a rebuild kit if any exist. I havent seen any forsale online. I have found an axle on eBay with the model 618-3221 Im not sure on compatibility. If any one can point me in the right direction it would be very helpful! I think I am going to be on this forum a long time since all them have issues.

[CubDieselFan]

Welcome to Only Cub Cadets. Oak, our 3000 series expert will chime in on your issues.

[Oak]

Can you post a pic up of the rear? They used the aluminum rear in the early 3208's and then switched to cast iron. Both used the locking differential so that may be an issue too.

Here is an aluminum rear that I re-sealed. This one did not have the locking differential.
https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/...ad.php?t=33446

Lets see what you have and then we can go from there.

[R Bedell]

First, welcome to OCC..............

Per the Owners Manual, Cub Cadet recommends this fluid......

[Sebastion]

[Sebastion]

Thanks, I posted above the photos I took, My 3208 has a locking differential. I also added a few more to an album on my account. I was also looking at oils to use other then oem and wandered if Traveller Premium Universal Tractor Trans/Hydraulic Fluid would be alright. My first test will be to just see if it spins when I add fluid which I know will leak out. I can atleast get that in a town somewhat close by.

I keep saying its a 3208, it has no stickers visible and I do not see a factory stamp. I am going off from it has the Kawasaki FD620D liquid cooled motor. if anyone knows where a frame tag is please let me know.

[ejl6658]

Model and serial tag should be on the right side of the frame below the engine compartment side cover. If the tag isn't there you could have a 3205 or a 3208 as both had differential lock, aluminum differential, and the Kawasaki 20hp engine. Based on the pics I would say you need to tear into the differential and replace at least the seals on the inner axle bearing blocks which is why you are loosing fluid, but I would also replace both seals on the outer bearing blocks as well while you had it apart. See Oak's link posted above. The attached link is the spec sheets for the 3000 series from 1998-2003. I don't think you'll be able to tell from it whether you a 3205 or 3208 but it has good info. https://www.cubcadetpartsnmore.com/c...et-spec-sheets

[Oak]

I use the TSC stuff with no issues.

Here is a link on my 3205 from last year. I've been using it a bunch this year with no issues.
https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/...highlight=3205

Here is a pic from my 1999 3205 rear with the part# 618-3194A and serial #Q-000083. Maybe shoot a pic of the engine tag to see if we can tell the year.
DSCN3945.jpg

[ejl6658]

Oak is right if you can tell the year of your engine you may be able to determine if it's a 3205 (1998,1999) or a 3208 (2000,2001),

[Sebastion]

I looked all over the frame to find, no stickers or plates like the other models I have. I read a forum saying, they used stickers on the 3000's that fall off. I haven't found the plate on Kawasaki FD620.

I put some hydraulic fluid in the transmission and it didn't take much to be full. In running the motor and playing with the levers, I had no movement in anything hydraulic. I think the pump could be blocked or damaged. Soon I'll take a magnet to the rear end, see if it attracts to know if its aluminum or cast. Once I get my wife's car fixed out of the garage, this 3000 series and my GT2550 are the next project. Touch wood, something else doesn't breakdown first.

I haven't had much time to play with them and my main mowing cubby decided to break down this week half way through the property mowing. Luckily that's an easy fix, waiting on parts.