682 Cub with KT17S Engine - Oil Change?

[enigma]

Can someone give me some pointers here... This is my first riding mower / lawn tractor but I've done basic vehicle maintenance on many different cars / trucks in the last 15 years and I'm amazed I can't figure this out...

I've had a Cub Cadet 682 with a 44 inch deck for a couple months now. I also picked up a snow blade and will be getting chains soon. I'm currently using the tractor to mow my yard and pull a cart but will be using it to plow my long driveway this winter. Looking up the spec & serial numbers shows this was manufactured in 1981 and the clock shows about 210 hours.


I assume it needs an oil change. Or at least, it will need an oil change soon.

So my questions:

OIL
In the Kohler KT series manual (I do not have a series II engine) it says this thing takes SAE 30 if the temp is 32 degress F or higher and 5W-20/5W-30 if under 32 degrees.

Do I really have to run different oil in the winter than I do in the rest of the year? (I'm in MD and if/when I do plow, it will probably be between 15 and 35 degrees)

Do yall do this or is it pretty common for these x82 series to accept running 5W-30 or something all year round?


OIL FILTER
Also, the manual indicates the need to change the oil filter and says it is located behind the firewall with two hoses ran to it from the engine. I've removed both side engine covers and do not see an oil filter. I've looked over the entire engine and don't see one. Am I just missing it or did some Kohlers not come with an oil filter?

TRANSMISSION
Finally, I've got some steep parts to my property and when I'm mowing, I have to be sure to handle those areas properly or ONE of the rear wheels just spins while the other stops. Seriously? I would have thought a tractor would have a fully locked differential. Is it possible this is caused by an issue in the transmission / rear end? I have not yet changed the transmission fluid / gear oil - should I?


Thanks in advance!

-Bob

[R Bedell]

First, welcome to OCC......

BTW...the 682 is a Garden Tractor.

Do I really have to run different oil in the winter than I do in the rest of the year?

I have a KT-17 in a 784 and I follow what Kohler recommends. However, it is your tractor and you can run what ever you want.

and do not see an oil filter. I've looked over the entire engine and don't see one.

Not all KT-17 Series II engines have a Oil Filter. Mine don't.

I would have thought a tractor would have a fully locked differential

NOPE,

I have not yet changed the transmission fluid / gear oil - should I?

Unless you have direct knowledge and know when the last Hydro Oil Change was, then I would change it to be on the safe side. Along with the Hydro Fluid, change the Hydro Fluid Filter.

[dvogtvpe]

try not to mow sidehill with it. hilly yards and KT17's don't play well together

[J-Mech]

I run 30WT HD oil in mine year round. I keep the tractor in my heated building in the winter so it seldom has to start in the cold. I run it hard enough blowing or pushing snow, that I think it is best to use the heavy oil year round. It really depends on use. Normally, I would say to run at least 10W-30 in the winter. I think with advances in oil now, and the fact that an air cooled engine's only source of cooling is air flow and the oil, that straight 30WT is acceptable. If you keep the tractor outside..... probably best if you run the lighter oil in the winter. Also, make sure you let it warm up good in the winter before running it hard. The greatest engine wear occurs during warm up, or during an overheated condition.

[ACecil]

Welcome to OCC! I also run 30wt in my 782 year round.

[Cubcrazy]

[enigma]

Thank you all for the information. I'm planning on getting chains for some of the hiller spots in my yard (as well as for plowing) and yes, I'm making sure to only go straight up or down the hills - not take the hill sideways.

Oil / Trans: Thanks. Probably going to leave it with 30WT this winter and see how it goes. In MD we shouldn't see much for snow and temps below 32 for too long.

Thanks!

[enigma]

One other question, amount -

How much oil and trans fluid does the 682 take?

Thanks

[R Bedell]

How much oil and trans fluid does the 682 take?

This should help........... Transmission Fluid