Oil & Fuel Shell TTF-SB hydrostatic trans oil

[JSharp]

You're right on the money JS. Wally contracts it out to atleast 3 different vendors. Lowest bidder I'm sure. That said, I still wouldn't hesitate to use Super Tech oil. Problem is, I can still get Kendall GT-1 synth blend cheaper at other stores!

Joel

We had started to use the Wally synthetic in my son's car until he got a job at Bumper to Bumper. He discovered can get "Partsmaster" brand synthetic at cost even cheaper than Super Tech. $2.76 a quart his cost. The bottles say manufactured by Ashland so I'm guessing we're buying Valvoline or similar for cheap $$.

I'm looking forward to doing a UOA on the stuff just to see what we have there.

 

[Fordlords]

Looking at some pictures, it does look like 1997 as Joel stated was the year MTD switched the Cub Cadets to all new designs of their own. Other than the engine Larry, your '95 has the same basic attributes as my 1980 Cub, still posessing the International Harvester "wide frame" design.

Thanks for the heads up on the possible makers of Super-Tech oil. I've been using it for years with no problems to report.

-Fordlords-

 

[TractorLarry]

Cool. That's what I was after

-Larry

Looking at some pictures, it does look like 1997 as Joel stated was the year MTD switched the Cub Cadets to all new designs of their own. Other than the engine Larry, your '95 has the same basic attributes as my 1980 Cub, still posessing the International Harvester "wide frame" design.

Thanks for the heads up on the possible makers of Super-Tech oil. I've been using it for years with no problems to report.

-Fordlords-

 

[TractorLarry]

Thanks!

-Larry

I believe 1997 was the magical year.

Joel

 

[JTKub]

If anyone cares to compare product data sheets with Shell TTF-SB, ExxonMobil has a great site (all the big guys do for that matter). Mash in USA, 15w-40, 15w-50, etc...... Some off the shelfers do look good: http://www.exxonmobil.com/pdssearch/search.asp

Joel

 

[GreenQuality]

YA YA YA! BLA BLA BLA! why does my 2185 owner manual say to use a SG/CD grade 20w50 oil in the tranny? my dealer say's use the drive system plus! that cost a ARM and a LEG? so i said to him it's the same thing He said more or less it a syn! what do you all THINK?

 

[Fordlords]

It probably is the same thing. It's just that the Cub dealers are going to recommend the Cub Drive System Plus for their customers as they know for sure it's the right thing, rather than tell customers to use something cheaper not knowing exactly what it is the customer is looking at. It's just self protection, because if the dealer came out and said Leo's inboard/outboard and lawnmower 20w50 is cheaper so use it and the customer's transaxle failed, you know darn well who's rear end that customer would be all over.

As your tractor is out of warranty, it will likely be perfectly safe to use an equivalent transaxle oil.



-Fordlords-

 

[ChipSmith]

Actually my dealer does not ever carry the Cub fluid. He recommends Amzoil 20W-50 synthetic instead. When I asked him about warranty coverage, he reminded me that he was the one that would be doing any warranty work and he would cover it.

 

[JTKub]

Oddly enough, Shell who makes Cub Cadet Drive System Fluid Plus (Shell TTF-SB) does not even market/make a 20w-50 oil. As far as I can see , Shell only offers a single grade non synth blend 50wt for 2-stroke diesels. The closest Shell off the shelf I can find is: http://www.shellusserver.com/products/pdf/RotellaTSyntheticBlend.pdf

Joel

 

[GreenQuality]

Last week when I bought this 2185,The Guy told me he runs (john deere Hy -guard ,transmission and hydrlic oil.) It run's fine even better than my 2180.

 

[GreenQuality]

Iwent on john deere page HY_GARD transmission& hydraulic oil is used also with SUNSTRAND transmission and hydros .Was sunstrand used on a lot of mtd cubs,and if not so. then hydro -gear used the same design as sunstrand and if so hy-gard is called fro in sunstrand.what getting at,I would have never had knowen that you could run hy-gard tran- hydr oil in a cub. thats whats in my 2185. and it's fast!

 

[Fordlords]

My 682 also has the fast now considered "too dangerous" Sunstrand hydro

One thing it might not be a good idea to use a synthetic hydro fluid in an older hydro, as synthetic oils are sometimes more leak prone than conventional oil and older seals are more prone to leaks. The fluid in the new Cub hydros is synthetic and that is what they recommend on those units. I don't honestly know how well the newer cast iron Cub hydros stack up to the old Sunstrands, but I do know they can dish out gobs of torque.

-Fordlords-

 

[ducati996]

Yes, I understand this.

My question is when did MTD start designing their own instead of using previous CCC designs.

-Larry

MTD's influenence started in the mid to late 80's when the most obvious changes on the garden tractors were the traditional "heavy duty rear ends" were scaled down with less casting for the housings. Aluminum found its way in there later on...

 

[ducati996]

So has anbody come to any viable conclusions here? this subject has been beaten to death a few times within the last few years and always with the same outcome - I guess my question is - Did anybody stray from the mfg's sythentic blend, and replace it for whatever suitable subsitute? How successful has it been? Im only talking the 2500 series and 3000 series machines, since the drivetrain is very similair if not the same. With the 3000 series, you have hydrolic outlets for power steering, and attachments to consider. Hytran fluid will not work on these machines, that much Im sure of. But I would like to find an ever better fluid (if it exists) in replacement of the Cub synthetic -
Overall its not even a big deal to buy 6 qrts every couple hundred hours or so of the Cub brand...

 

[GreenQuality]

YES! I save money by using john deere hy-gard -transmission hydrlic oil. in my 2185, I also use a syn 20w 50 in my 2180. all with john deere hydro filter.the older cubs /mtd use a 20 w50 oil that meets or exceeds API SG/CD grades. I have been mowing with this tractor for my lawn business.I have been on some hills. I wore out some wheels.I have put some time in the seat, I have been threw the heat. so speaking about the tranny as it goes and does not slow,I have this to show, you can save money,as far as oil goes!

 

[JSharp]

So has anbody come to any viable conclusions here? this subject has been beaten to death a few times within the last few years and always with the same outcome - I guess my question is - Did anybody stray from the mfg's sythentic blend, and replace it for whatever suitable subsitute? How successful has it been? Im only talking the 2500 series and 3000 series machines, since the drivetrain is very similair if not the same. With the 3000 series, you have hydrolic outlets for power steering, and attachments to consider. Hytran fluid will not work on these machines, that much Im sure of. But I would like to find an ever better fluid (if it exists) in replacement of the Cub synthetic -
Overall its not even a big deal to buy 6 qrts every couple hundred hours or so of the Cub brand...

I decided if I ever need to change the fluid instead of just topping it up at filter changes, I won't use the Cub oil. Buying a snow blower and using the tractor in the winter is one case where I'm certain I'd change to different lube.

Mobil1 5W-40 would be my choice right now with Rotella 5W-40 as a close second.

 

[TractorLarry]

My 1864 (1995) has a pretty stout rear-end and the heavy duty sustrand hydro in it, so they hadn't started to "De-Content" in 1995 yet it would seem.

I was looking to buy a chipper/shredder this weekend. It seems that most of them are built by MTD now too, and I didn't read very good reviews, generally.

Sears seems to have the best one, but it's out of stock everywhere.

-Larry

MTD's influenence started in the mid to late 80's when the most obvious changes on the garden tractors were the traditional "heavy duty rear ends" were scaled down with less casting for the housings. Aluminum found its way in there later on...