Not here to debate whether you should or should not use Hy-Tran. My position has always been that it is a superior oil blend when compared to cheap alternatives, and that is still my position. However, Case-IH (New Holland) has lost their mind, competitive edge, or something. Yesterday I called an "IH" dealer I have never dealt with before (they are closing up fast here in the Southeast) they wanted $105 for a 5 gallon bucket.
Called a dealer that recently lost his contract, they wanted $98.
Now I don't mind paying $75 or so because that's what I paid for the last couple of buckets I bought, even though it has been 2 years (Uh, hello---gas and diesel fuel hasn't gone up 30%). So I called up my Deere dealer to check on price. The last bucket I got from him was in the mid $70's in early summer. He said let me check, think the price came DOWN
They are currently around $65 for a bucket of Hy-Gard--I grabbed 2 yesterday afternoon.
For those wondering, no I don't use that much oil in Cadets, its for farm tractors. I have substituted Deere oil in IH lawnmowers before and to date haven't seen an issue (Sunstrand pumps in both). Likewise we have gone back and forth putting different color oils in a machine should we run out of OEM fluid---you are always just back-to-back blown hydraulic lines away from depleting your stock.
On a side note, I like the IH Low-Ash engine oil. Ordered 2 cases yesterday from a Cadet dealer, he quoted me $7qt in case qty, low shipping costs as he would get on a stock order. Beats the heck out of $9 the tractor dealership wanted.
https://www.cubcadet.com/wcpics/CubC...3029_large.jpg
Anyway, just tossing this out there, not trying to
resurrect the hydraulic oil debate again. Got the shop warming up and 2 IH Cadets inside needing "attention".