I have an early 2000's Craftsman GT with 22hp Kohler v-twin, has the manual between the knees 6-speed Hi/Low transaxle.
I finally figured out where the fill plug is on this unit, so I'm all set to do this fluid change. My question is regarding the most appropriate replacement fluid-- some internet sleuthing suggests that Craftsman/AYP used non detergent SAE30 oil in these. The oil that drained out was a very copper/bronze colored metal soup with a neutral odor (definitely not gear oil), and viscosity resembling something along the lines of a 30 weight. So this would seem to confirm the internet rumors about SAE30 being the factory fluid.
I can't help but think there has got to be a better fluid for this application than a plain non detergent oil. Is there anything around the SAE30 weight that might have some anti-wear additives in it, that might provide better protection? Perhaps a synchromesh fluid or even ATF might work better than what was in there? I drained old oil after 2-3 hours of mowing and the fluid was barely warm to the touch-- so I doubt a thicker oil would much of an improvement. How does syncromesh & ATF compare to SAE30 viscosity wise? How about 75w-90 gear oil?
I finally figured out where the fill plug is on this unit, so I'm all set to do this fluid change. My question is regarding the most appropriate replacement fluid-- some internet sleuthing suggests that Craftsman/AYP used non detergent SAE30 oil in these. The oil that drained out was a very copper/bronze colored metal soup with a neutral odor (definitely not gear oil), and viscosity resembling something along the lines of a 30 weight. So this would seem to confirm the internet rumors about SAE30 being the factory fluid.
I can't help but think there has got to be a better fluid for this application than a plain non detergent oil. Is there anything around the SAE30 weight that might have some anti-wear additives in it, that might provide better protection? Perhaps a synchromesh fluid or even ATF might work better than what was in there? I drained old oil after 2-3 hours of mowing and the fluid was barely warm to the touch-- so I doubt a thicker oil would much of an improvement. How does syncromesh & ATF compare to SAE30 viscosity wise? How about 75w-90 gear oil?
