I am new to the forum and appreciate any help you can provide. I have a Troy Bilt lawn tractor. I recently disassembled the transmission (transaxle) as it no longer had forward drive. Found the worn gear and replaced, no problem. However, I have no idea what oil or grease needs to go into the unit before I put it together. It is definitely not oil inside. It looks like a very thick grease. TroyBilt website say it takes "19 ounces of Shell Grease". I did a Google search for this grease and cannot find it anywhere. Can anyone tell me where I can buy it, or, what is compatible and where I can purchase the compatible grease?
I've personally done a fair bit of research into small engine small gearboxes and what I've found is that quite a few people recommend getting a 00 grease. Basically it's a grease that actually flows much like a very thick gear oil. It won't leak out of questionable seals and tends to stick and hold up to pressures very well. Typically my research is for snowblower auger gearboxes but I've also found the same answers for small transmissions on push mowers and transmissions on snowblowers. Transaxles on riding mowers are different and usually take a 20W-50 motor oil.
Here's what I've gathered in my notes to get:
00 or 000 EP grease (NOT "0"):
shell alvania epr
lubriplate lithium
sunoco prestige 740aep
mobile mobilplex ep23
texaco marfak ap
Hope this helps somewhat Like ILENGINE said, having numbers from your machine would help in finding what exactly the manufacturer recommended in the first place.
I've found their e-mail help valuable and knowledgeable in the past.
Aside from that, it looks like Darina is made by Shell and is a clay-based type "0" grease. I'm not sure what the benefits of a clay-based grease are but maybe a lithium-based type 0 would be an adequate substitute... Just guessing here.
My research says that the Shell Darina grease is a clay based lubricant similar to Tecumseh's Bentenite grease. The biggest differences I have found is that it can with stand higher temperatures and compression loads. Like Bentenite it is very moisture resistant. Being a clay based grease there is very little cross reference material, as these type of grease are starting to be fazed out in most applications.
Thank you all for your help. I found it at Sears, online. Part # is 737-0300A. It comes in 8ox. tubes @ about $20.00 each. This replaces old MTD part # 737-0148. Also, the Bentonite grease used in Peerless transmission will work as well. Their part # is 788067. The Peerless is the better buy, 32oz for about $35.00