Wheel Horse 8 speed transmission oil

[dsmith41]

When I got my C-145 I changed out the transmission lube because it seemed to have water in it and I just like to put all fresh fluids in new to me vehicles. The manual I have called for 90w140 GL-5 gear lube. I put in 85w140 Valvoline syn blend thinking that would be a little better on the transmission when I push snow with the tractor.

Well I got to work some snow this week and that gear oil is like having molasses in the transmission. When I first fire up the tractor and let off the clutch in neutral the engine bogs down and almost stalls. The tractor never seemed to loosen up and get warm and run well. I know the manual says to run that viscosity but it doesn't seem right to me. Should I keep doing it by the book or go rogue and run a thinner oil? I'm afraid a thinner oil will not provide protection during the summer when I'm mowing. Not sure what to do.

 

[michaelluscher]

I think a popular 75w-90 like Valvoline syn or Mobil 1 LS would be more appropriate.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: dsmith41
Not sure what to do.


http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/durablend_gear.pdf
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/synpower_gear.pdf

Making the jump to their SynPower 75w-140 will be a HUGE benefit in cold weather performance, while still offering maximum protection in the summer.

Vis @ 40°C (cSt) 367 vs. 171
Pour Point (°C) -15 vs. -48

 

[cronk]

I would go with a 75w-140 full synthetic.
That's what I use in my old John Deere garden tractors.

 

[dsmith41]

Wow that is a big difference with their synthetic. The pour point of what I'm running now is +5 degrees F. The other morning we had a cold spell and it was right around that temperature. No wonder this stuff is like molasses.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: michaelluscher
I think a popular 75w-90 like Valvoline syn or Mobil 1 LS would be more appropriate.


That's what I would think. These are low speed units that don't run hot.

Those are legendary gear boxes BTW! Nice machine.

 

[HM12460]

Nice machine. I thought a C-145 was a hydro model?

 

[JR]

I have a 4sp "857". Its been sitting a few years and has moisure. i am planning using a syn for the service it sees in winter.

ken

 

[123GO]

Fwiw to anyone who owns an old manual shift Wheel Horse, most of their moisture in the trans is from the shifters rubber boot cracking, water then runs down the shifter into trans.

Stored outside uncovered the rain runs right in it.
Many owners wash their machines often to keep them looking new & clean too so these folks really get the most of it with a cracked boot.

Saw several with about a quart of rust water along with the normal fluid run out of their trans due to bad boot. Moisture develops inside over time anyway but not like I see sometimes.

Boots are easily located online for about $10 but many folks never think to change it since its under the shift cover so it's out of sight and out of mind I guess?

.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted by 123GO
Fwiw to anyone who owns an old manual shift Wheel Horse, most of their moisture in the trans is from the shifters rubber boot cracking, water then runs down the shifter into trans.

Stored outside uncovered the rain runs right in it.
Many owners wash their machines often to keep them looking new & clean too so these folks really get the most of it with a cracked boot.

Saw several with about a quart of rust water along with the normal fluid run out of their trans due to bad boot. Moisture develops inside over time anyway but not like I see sometimes.

Boots are easily located online for about $10 but many folks never think to change it since its under the shift cover so it's out of sight and out of mind I guess?

.


Yes, this! I've seen this before.

Also any decent 75w140 will work just fine in these. The key is keeping the moisture out and then the oil will stay clean.