Hydro Oil

timkins · Apr 2, 2025

Got a GT 2542 and I am looking to change the oil, filter on hydrostatic transmission. Called the dealer and they wanted model number and serial number on the tractor. All I was doing was looking for the Hydro Oil and if I could use an off the shelf Hydro Oil from Tractor Supply or someone similar. What do YOU use or suggest?

LouNY · Apr 2, 2025

On most of those lawn and garden tractors the transaxles are made by a couple of other companies.
Hydro Gear and Tuff Torq come to mind, Hydro Gear used to spec a 15w-40 motor oil in theirs and Tuff Torq recommended a synthetic 20W-50 or alternatively 10W-30 or 10W-40 synthetic motor oils.
Their are some other manufactures of them and I hear that some are even CVT's.

Carl_NH · Apr 2, 2025

The Cub 2542 should have the Hydro Gear BDU-10 transmission and similar to my Ferris Zero Turn with the Hydro Gear system Mobil 1 15-50 full synthetic is the recommended oil.

I also have the Cub 1811 Hydro with the Sundstrand hydro pump and I bought the Hytran from the Cub dealer for that about 10 years ago. It's what the older models speced and it has worked well.

timkins · Apr 2, 2025

Just found out that I have a K-46 transmission and I checked at the local Cub dealer and they wanted model number $21 per quart. Does that sound right?