John Deere/Briggs and Stratton conflict?

[FrankN4]

I just bought a new John Deere lawn mower(used it for the first time yesterday) with a Briggs and Stratton Extended Life 19.5 HP engine. I downloaded the engine manual from the Briggs and Stratton web site and they strongly recommended a 5w30 synthetic oil for all temperatures. The John Deere owners manual recommends a 10W-40 oil for 0F to 120F. My thought was Amsoil small engine oil which is a 10w30/30.

Whadda y'all think?

 

[wavinwayne]

I also have a JD mower (LA110) with a B&S 19.5 HP engine. B&S is correct that a 5w30 synthetic will protect PERFECTLY their engine in any temperature range you're likely to use your mower.

My personal opinion is you could run any oil you want, from a 0w20 to a SAE 60 racing oil, and the engine will still outlast the rest of the mower.

FWIW, I use Syntec 0w30 and a Wix oil filter. I get exactly 1 mpg (mow per gallon).

 

[Barkleymut]

I would follow the B&S recommendation-throw some 5w30 pennzoil or valvoline in and change every 75 hours or so (get an hour meter-25 bucks on ebay and super easy to install.)

The Amsoil would also be just fine I'm sure.

 

[bmwtechguy]

I would go with the the Amsoil for several reasons. It has no VII, which is a good thing for an air-cooled mower engine. It has higher levels of the anti-wear adds like Zn and Ph. The only 5w30 syn oils that I would run would be Amsoil HDD or some Shaeffers. Schaeffers 5W-40 works well in these engines. I used Mobil 1 15W-50 for years in riding mowers that were used commercially and never had any engine failures or problems. One riding mower at the church I attended in Pittsburgh, PA growing up is still running that oil and gets changed every year. It was new in 1987 and has an opposed 2 cyl Briggs 17 HP. (no filter) Lastly Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w30 would be a good choice as well.

 

[JustinC25]

I use Rotella 15w40 in my grandpa's John Deere LT125 with a briggs 20 hp v-twin. Over 60 hours on it so far with no problems.

I chose it for it's high zddp, and it's reputation as a truly robust oil. The mower also burns very little oil. Less than a 1/4 quart in 25 hours. I do 1 year/25 hour oci's.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: wavinwayne
My personal opinion is you could run any oil you want, from a 0w20 to a SAE 60 racing oil, and the engine will still outlast the rest of the mower.


Exactly. If you want a 40wt in there, any 15w40 HDEO would be inexpensive and found anywhere. Shell Rotella-T 5w40 can be had at Wally and some parts stores for a bit more $. Any synthetic Xw30 would also be a 'premium' choice if you get a cozy feeling from synthetic oils.

Joel

 

[daman]

I would listen to the engine manual, use a 30w,i use amsoil's
ACD in all my lawn stuff,great oil no usage at all.