If you had to settle on one weight for 3 engines..

[B20z]

...what would you choose? Not saying I'm going to, but here's what I'm working with:

1. Snowblower - B&S 750SS OHV / 2 years old
2. Mower - B&S 123K02 L-head / 11 years old
3. Generator - Yamaha MZ360 OHV / 8 years and 20 hours old

Manuf Recommendations:
B&S: 5w30 syn / SAE30 / 10w30
Yam: 10w-40 / SAE30 / SAE20 (no synthetic preference noted)


Generator is emergency-use only. No apparent oil usage from any of the equipment at this time, no smoking, clean oil drains. Blower sees temps from -10F up, mower is 50-85F, gen is all of the above.

I guess I don't understand why B&S suggests 5w30 syn over 10w30 syn or anything else. Is it shear resistance? I've been using Defy 5w30 in the blower/mower and Supertech 10w-40 in the gen. The Defy comes out pretty thin, thinner than out of the Vibe. But then, Defy isn't a true synthetic either. I don't think any of this equipment is very picky about oil and I would say my #1 concern right now is shearing. I'm thinking something like Rotella 5w-40 would be a good fit if I were to simplify. Thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Rand]

why do you need just one? its not that hard to have 2 different kinds.

all my older OPE usually get 15w40, but I still have a few quarts of 10w30 VR1 Synthetic I'm using up in the honda powered mower.


no way do you need a 40wt in a snowblower running at 0F

 

[Donald]

Amsoil 4-stroke small engine oil. I use it in all small engines.

 

[toneydoc]

Your choice of Rotella 5w40 is an excellent choice.
Others would be Mobil 1 0w40 or Castrol EDGE 0w40. They are probably a little more expensive than the Rotella.

 

[Dyusik]

HDEO 15w40, 10w30 if it gets cold, and 5w-40 if it gets really cold. SAE30 would be great, but the 'snow' in the blower might inhibit the starting of the engine.

 

[Bud_One]

HDEO 15W40

 

[Jimzz]

Yea a 10w30 or 15w40 would be the 2 I would toward.

I use a semi-syn high mileage 10w30 in my riding mower and push mower right now.

 

[mcrn]

Mobil 1 0W40

 

[bubbatime]

5W30 synthetic would be a decent choice for all of your engines if you just want one oil.

I have a strong preference for a 40 weight in generators in the summer, so I PERSONALLY would run 0W40 in the generator (good for cold starts and summer heat)

 

[Kuato]

You want a common oil. All three are specified to take a 30 weight. At least one will see starts at -10*F.

That says 0w30 to me.

 

[exranger06]

I'd use a 5w30 synthetic. On anything that might/will get used in the winter (snowblower, generator) I would only use 5w30 or 0w30 synthetic, nothing thicker. I'd be OK with a thicker oil for the mower, but I've also used 5w30 synthetic in mine and don't have any reservations about it.

 

[bullwinkle]

T5 10W30 is pretty thin-it's an HDEO, too, bet it would work.

 

[Lawn_Care]

Rotella T6 5W-40 or DELO 5W-40.

 

[dave123]

Mobil 1 0w40 might work alright really if blower is garaged 10W30 be fine.

 

[Phishin]

Rotella T6, Mobil 1 0w40 or Mobil 1 10w40HM

 

[vintageant]

One more for HDEO 15W40

 

[Ausfahrt]

Originally Posted By: Bud_One
HDEO 15W40


+1

 

[Bror Jace]

I agree there is little utility value in settling on only one weight of motor oil for all OPE for all 4 seasons ... where there are actually 4 seasons.

But, in the interest of discussion:

Important question I did not see asked: Where is the snowblower stored? How cold is it when/where it is started? Everyone assumes these require a winter-friendly oil ... but not if they are stored in a heated garage (as many are).

I am leaning towards 5W-40 ... but not if the snowblower must be started in sub-zero temps. 5W-40s don't flows as well as you'd think in extreme cold temps.

Another popular choice, 5w30, may thin out quickly in the summer heat and give you high consumption ... leading to engine failure if you're not careful about checking the level frequently.

 

[jhellwig]

Use the same thing you use in your cars. Just make sure it has oil in it and they will be fine.

 

[stchman]

30 weight oil seems to be common, so go with a synthetic oil like a 5w30 or 10w30.