I have always purchased Cub Cadet hydro fluid from my local dealer, however when the price went up to nearly $25 a gallon, I decided to check a nearby Case/IH dealer for hydraulic oil. The dealer recommended Mobilfluid 424 as a substitute for the Cub Cadet fluid.
Mobilfluid 424 is a "high performance tractor hydraulic/transmission fluid" that looks, feels and smells nearly identical to the Cub fluid...except for the price. I purchased a 2 1/2 gallon container of Mobilfluid 424 for $25...the same price for ONE gallon of Cub Cadet fluid! I have been using it in my 1864 since restoring it in the spring. Works great in every way!
One question I have is, why Cub Cadet hydraulic fluid is so expensive? Is it synthetic oil? I know Cub Cadet doesn't make their own oil...but they specify what is in their product...which is probably the same product that is sold under many other labels. Is Cub Cadet hydraulic fluid a money maker for the Cub dealerships?
