Leo Rabon
Bronze Member
I recently serviced my 2011 Cub Cadet GT 2000 (20 HP Kohler Command) (52 Hours) after 1 year of use. I performed the engine oil and filter change and changed the hydrostatic transmission fluid and filter as well as replaced the engine air filter and preflter. This was the second transmission fluid change on the Cub as the service manual reccomends changing the fluid at 10 hours (I changed the fluid and filter at 13 hours as well as the engine oil and filter at 13 hours).
For the tranny fluid change, I was only able to add 5 quarts of Cub Cadet Drive System Fluid Plus to reach the full mark on the dipstick. I use OEM products so I don't want to get into a discussion about that. It is my choice and my $$$. This was the case on the fluid change at the 13 hour mark. I gave ample time for the fluid to drain completely (on a level surface) so 5 quarts fills it, per the dipstick (both times) (reading after properly purging the air and driving the Cub around about 10 minutes). FWIW, I state this as the Cub information on this tranny (Hydro-Gear BDU-10 Pump) states the fluid capacity at 5.7 quarts. I believe adding 5.7 quarts on a fluid change would definately "overfill the tranny". Obviously, at the 13 hour tranny fluid change, the drained fluid appeared almost "new" from the bottle. On the 52 hour change (net 39 hours of use), the fluid was definately darker than new fluid and just a very light touch of "chalky", overall not bad at all. IMO, I believe the ongoing 50 hour tranny fluid change interval as reccomended by CUB is a good reccomendation. While it might be a little "overkill", I certainly believe the 100 hour change interval on some of the older CUB models is a bit to long.
With respect to the engine oil change, I did the first change at 13 hours. I bought the Cub on June 24, 2011 and that was right in the middle of 95 degree plus ambient temperatures for grass cutting. I use Kohler 10W30, as reccomended by Kohler and the Kohler oil filter. I wish they would add a little color to the oil to make it easier to read on the dipstick. I had to drill a small hole in my dipstick at the full mark to be able to read it. Engine did not burn any oil at the 13 hour mark. At the 52 hour change (net 39 hours of use, it used approximately 2 ounces of oil. Note that the usage was over the course of the last 5 hours of use. My Cub has the 42" deck and I have 1 acre of grass (not tall) so I don't have some of the same conditions as others may have, such as use of a larger deck, more grass to cut, or heavy grass to cut. Those conditions can certainly make a difference on oil usage. I suspect my oil usage was because the air filter was "very dirty" and I changed that also. For me, I will change the oil again after 15 hours of use during the summer
(95 degree plus) as the Kohler does run very warm. I probably will stay with dino oil as I like to change the oil more frequently than reccomended. Kohler oil is "probably" packaged by Warren Oil Company. On Warren Oil Company's website, Kohler is listed as one of their clients. Kohler oil API Rating is through SJ (For 2001 and older automotive engines) and (CH-4 for 1998 diesel engines). Obviously the SJ rating gives a little more ZDDP (important for engine wear) than the automotive oils available at most stores. There just is not a good alternative available unless you use a specialty racing oil or something like Synthetic Amsoil Small Engine oil 10W30 that has a high content of ZDDP. Shell Rotella T use to have a high content of ZDDP, but they have changed their formula to meet current requirements and their ZDDP content has declined.
Noting the Kohler 20 HP Command "engine oil capacity", Kohler's printed material lists the capacity as 2 Quarts and further as 1.7 to 1.9 quarts change with filter. I know, what does all of that mean? I guess they don't know how much oil it takes for a change. On both of my oil changes, it took 1 quart and 26 ounces to go to the full mark on the dipstick. That is 1.8125 quarts. Go figure?????
As far as the Cub GT 2000, I like it quite a bit. You just can't beat the bang for the buck$$$$$$ on that machine. You would have to spend $2,500.00 more to get a comparable machine with Green Paint.
For the tranny fluid change, I was only able to add 5 quarts of Cub Cadet Drive System Fluid Plus to reach the full mark on the dipstick. I use OEM products so I don't want to get into a discussion about that. It is my choice and my $$$. This was the case on the fluid change at the 13 hour mark. I gave ample time for the fluid to drain completely (on a level surface) so 5 quarts fills it, per the dipstick (both times) (reading after properly purging the air and driving the Cub around about 10 minutes). FWIW, I state this as the Cub information on this tranny (Hydro-Gear BDU-10 Pump) states the fluid capacity at 5.7 quarts. I believe adding 5.7 quarts on a fluid change would definately "overfill the tranny". Obviously, at the 13 hour tranny fluid change, the drained fluid appeared almost "new" from the bottle. On the 52 hour change (net 39 hours of use), the fluid was definately darker than new fluid and just a very light touch of "chalky", overall not bad at all. IMO, I believe the ongoing 50 hour tranny fluid change interval as reccomended by CUB is a good reccomendation. While it might be a little "overkill", I certainly believe the 100 hour change interval on some of the older CUB models is a bit to long.
With respect to the engine oil change, I did the first change at 13 hours. I bought the Cub on June 24, 2011 and that was right in the middle of 95 degree plus ambient temperatures for grass cutting. I use Kohler 10W30, as reccomended by Kohler and the Kohler oil filter. I wish they would add a little color to the oil to make it easier to read on the dipstick. I had to drill a small hole in my dipstick at the full mark to be able to read it. Engine did not burn any oil at the 13 hour mark. At the 52 hour change (net 39 hours of use, it used approximately 2 ounces of oil. Note that the usage was over the course of the last 5 hours of use. My Cub has the 42" deck and I have 1 acre of grass (not tall) so I don't have some of the same conditions as others may have, such as use of a larger deck, more grass to cut, or heavy grass to cut. Those conditions can certainly make a difference on oil usage. I suspect my oil usage was because the air filter was "very dirty" and I changed that also. For me, I will change the oil again after 15 hours of use during the summer
(95 degree plus) as the Kohler does run very warm. I probably will stay with dino oil as I like to change the oil more frequently than reccomended. Kohler oil is "probably" packaged by Warren Oil Company. On Warren Oil Company's website, Kohler is listed as one of their clients. Kohler oil API Rating is through SJ (For 2001 and older automotive engines) and (CH-4 for 1998 diesel engines). Obviously the SJ rating gives a little more ZDDP (important for engine wear) than the automotive oils available at most stores. There just is not a good alternative available unless you use a specialty racing oil or something like Synthetic Amsoil Small Engine oil 10W30 that has a high content of ZDDP. Shell Rotella T use to have a high content of ZDDP, but they have changed their formula to meet current requirements and their ZDDP content has declined.
Noting the Kohler 20 HP Command "engine oil capacity", Kohler's printed material lists the capacity as 2 Quarts and further as 1.7 to 1.9 quarts change with filter. I know, what does all of that mean? I guess they don't know how much oil it takes for a change. On both of my oil changes, it took 1 quart and 26 ounces to go to the full mark on the dipstick. That is 1.8125 quarts. Go figure?????
As far as the Cub GT 2000, I like it quite a bit. You just can't beat the bang for the buck$$$$$$ on that machine. You would have to spend $2,500.00 more to get a comparable machine with Green Paint.
