Grasshopper diesel mower

[tmarti96]

I don't know how many of you guys have a "Grasshopper" ZTR diesel mower, but I own a 1996 721D, with Hydro static drive transmissions. I want to change the oil and filters in these trannysbut the fluid "Grasshopper" says to use is, naturally their brand, at 55. 00per gal(total 165. 00) They say to use Mobil

DTE26. Has anyone ever heard of this oil? Is it a hydraulic fluid or motor oil? I have been told by a lawnmower repairman to use 30 wt oil. What do you think? I hate to use the wrong thing. Thanks.

 

[Doc Tinker]

I'm not going to stick my neck out and tell you to use one or the other. The school district I work for has a diesel Grasshopper (can't remember the model) and I always assumed that it used hydraulic oil, but I never had to mess with it, so I don't know. The 30w probably wouldn't hurt it, if you don't use the mower in cold weather.



I think there are two hydraulic filters under the seat on our mower. They look like a pain to replace.



Have you snapped an axle on that thing yet?



Something that's rather interesting: The Allison 545 trannies in our busses can use trans fluid or 30w, but I hear they won't move very well in cold weather until the oil gets warmed up.



Doc

 

[DarrellB]

I have a Scags zero turn mower and a Snapper and they both use regular Hydrolic fluid. I buy mine at the John Deere dealer in town, but I cant remember how much I pay for it.



Big D

 

[illflem]

Use John Deere Hy-Trans, same as DTE26. Around $40 for 5 ga from any JD dealer. Chevron THF 100 (tractor hydraulic fluid) will also work and is cheaper yet.

 

[DarrellB]

I new someone else would remember the name of it. It's been about a year since I changed my 2 mowers but I think the scag took about a gallon and a half or 2 gallons and the snapper was a little more but it has bigger pumps on it and a bigger holding tank.



Big D

 

[Randy J]

Try www.lawnsite.com. They have had some posting on the Grasshopper mowers and their fluid. I talked to a grasshopper dealer in Dallas one time, and I think he stated that there were several other oils that could be used, that cost significantly less than their oil, I just can't remember what they were.

 

[ETOBICOKE]

Hydralic oil

Mobil "DTE" is an ordinary non-synthetic hydralic oil, "26" converts to ISO grade 68. For example you could substitue Shell Tellus 68, or Esso Nuto H68, for Mobil DTE 26. You should have no problem finding this oil localy it's quite common.



Neil