Can I use universal transmission fluid in my 1250 hydro?
 

Can i use universal transmission fluid in my 1250 hydro?

HyTran is recommended but you can use whatever you want.

You can use cough syrup if you want to, I suppose.

If you want lots of opinions, do a forum search as this has been discusses many many times :beatdeadhorse:

The short answer to your question is this; if you want to follow the manual, use Hy-Tran as it is what is recommended/required.

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=4634

That being said, there are many that don't use it, such as myself. A universal fluid (such as that from F&F or TS) should work without issue. At the end of the day, it's your machine so you can put whatever you want in it :beerchug:

Disclaimer: I don't mean to sound like a smart-a$$, I just have read through so many of the posts that I basically have a short and sweet answer memorized. Hope the above helped! :biggrin2: :beerchug:

i would much rather use universul because hytran is expensive and im 16 and don't have tons of money lol

Same reason I switched (except for the being 16 part :biggrin2:). I just buy the universal fluid in 5 gallon buckets from Tractor Supply and they last me several changes. Good luck!

Since your on a budget, use conventional oil.
You should be changing that way more often then the transmission fluid.

Bcdsfcret
 

Hytran only! The cheep stuff is only a problem waiting to happen.

Brian

I run TSC/Rural King universal oil that carries the HyTran certification (found on the back of the jug). My 149 was running on ATF for about 30 years with no problems (I have caught more crap for admitting that on here than you could imagine... people get very passionate about this topic). OH.. .But I DO run a real Cub Cadet filter. The automotive filters are not the same. They're expensive, but not that bad.. I think like $12?

In the motor I run straight 30W Vavoline conventional. Again, been that way for 30 years. My 149 only sees about 50 hours a summer since it "retired" and I change the oil half way through the season and in the spring.

Any data to back this up? I and many other guys on here use fluid other than hytran and have zero problems. Considering the "other guy" fluids meet the standards of Hy-Tran, I see absolutely no reason they aren't perfectly acceptable replacements. I've used Hy-Tran on several machines and I've used Tractor Supply fluid on several machines, both with identical results and zero problems. Beyond that, I've been using machines for 20+ years that use non-Hy-Tran and have never experienced a failure. My father, who's got tractors ranging from a 12hp Wheel Horse to a big boy 350 with Cubs, Lo-Boys, Ford 9ns, etc in between; he uses Farm and Fleet fluid and has no problems. If there was really a problem with the "other guy" fluids, they wouldn't be selling them.

At the end of the day, its your tractor and your choice: just please don't make other people scared of anything that isn't Hy-Tran for no good reason. :beerchug:

I've been running the TSC "Traveller" hytran alternative for about 3 or 4 years in my 882. From a performance standpoint, it has done a fine job. I haven't had it open since the change to check on metal shavings or to see if it's gone all milky. Will be interesting to see when I change it out later this summer.