Let's Talk About Oil and Lawn Mowers

[JC1]

Doesn't need to be thicker, just wondering what would provide better protection. All of these replies are just what people have been using. I'm looking for an explanation of which oil would be "better".

How many hours a month are you using the mower? Is this a commercial application cutting grass for a landscape business?

Personally I think most mowers will run on any oil and some people (homeowners) may have mowers where they never change the oil. I use whatever 5w-30 I have available. Ariens mower that's 19 years old and has never had an issue.

 

[BMW Dom]

Put me down for Rotella T5 10w30, semi- synthetic, one jug, @ 28 oz per year.

Just curious- why not Rotella t6? (Still learning )

 

[Snagglefoot]

Just curious- why not Rotella t6? (Still learning )

I couldn’t convince myself to treat my lawnmower to synthetic oil and saw the T5 on sale. But at two 14 oz changes a year why not!

 

[BMW Dom]

I couldn’t convince myself to treat my lawnmower to synthetic oil and saw the T5 on sale. But at two 14 oz changes a year why not!

Hey, good choice! Better than a lot of homeowners do. Cheers

 

[wpod]

Doesn't need to be thicker, just wondering what would provide better protection. All of these replies are just what people have been using. I'm looking for an explanation of which oil would be "better".

Define better? These are as I posted low output low pressure engines. Air cooled and run hot, any oil that is a 30 is good and a 40 is better even 20w-50 in hot climates. HDEO oils are the best oils on the shelves. I would say servicing the machines would make more of a difference that the selection of any proper for the application oil choice.

 

[kschachn]

Doesn't need to be thicker, just wondering what would provide better protection. All of these replies are just what people have been using. I'm looking for an explanation of which oil would be "better".

Despite all the current additives in modern oils, "protection" is still keeping metal parts separated, and in the end it is the HT/HS value which best represents that ability.

 

[#18FAN]

Amsoil Small Engine Oil 10w30 or 10w40

 

[BMW Dom]

How many hours a month are you using the mower? Is this a commercial application cutting grass for a landscape business?

Personally I think most mowers will run on any oil and some people (homeowners) may have mowers where they never change the oil. I use whatever 5w-30 I have available. Ariens mower that's 19 years old and has never had an issue.

Sort of. I am mowing a few yards a week.

 

[BMW Dom]

Despite all the current additives in modern oils, "protection" is still keeping metal parts separated, and in the end it is the HT/HS value which best represents that ability.

Yes, Kschachn, you are correct. I enjoy reading your comments, even though some people might take them harshly.
Would a Euro oil or 15w40 or 15w50 have a higher HTHS value?

 

[FordMan59]

Most of the time I run straight 30 weight in my mowers. Years ago they recommended not using multi grade and I didn't change with the times. My last mower engine (20 HP Kohler) was still in great shape at 20+ years old and between 700-800 hours when the rest of the mower was shot

 

[BMW Dom]

Most of the time I run straight 30 weight in my mowers. Years ago they recommended not using multi grade and I didn't change with the times. My last mower engine (20 HP Kohler) was still in great shape at 20+ years old and between 700-800 hours when the rest of the mower was shot

Good point. That is how my mower is starting to get.

 

[JC1]

Good point. That is how my mower is starting to get.

Do you have many different mowers? Riding versus push etc. Personally I would get hour meters installed on all of them and just figure out your oil changes after X number of hours.

As other posts mention other parts will probably wear out before the engines do.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Straight from Briggs and Stratton. Pick your poison. If you are mowing lawns at an ambient temperature at over 100 F, please post a pic.

 

[BMW Dom]

Do you have many different mowers? Riding versus push etc. Personally I would get hour meters installed on all of them and just figure out your oil changes after X number of hours.

As other posts mention other parts will probably wear out before the engines do.

It's a self propelled mower. I thought about getting an hour meter, but I just figure I would change the oil every 2-3 months.
I bought it used a few years ago for a good price. I have already replaced the rear wheels, and I just replaced the transmission drive cable.
I was using the briggs sae 30, but I switched to ST 10w30 syn. Reason was when I was doing leaves when cold, it was very hard to start.
I have done one Oil change with the ST, and I just topped it off recently. I have only used 16oz of oil, including the oil change. So I do not believe that it is consuming much oil.
I was just reconsidering my options since now Walmart raised the price to almost 5 dollars a quart.
Thanks for the replies!

 

[BMW Dom]

Straight from Briggs and Stratton. Pick your poison.

View attachment 57657

Interesting that they say "Vanguard 15w50 provides the best protection"

 

[Snagglefoot]

Interesting that they say "Vanguard 15w50 provides the best protection"

Yep, anything from 100 F And up.

 

[Snagglefoot]

And from Honda:

 

[BMW Dom]

Yep, anything from 100 F And up.

If I put in my mower info it gives me: syn 5w30 and 30.

 

[BMW Dom]

And from Honda:

View attachment 57658

I understand what is "recommended". But I might use the mower for 4 hours straight on a hot day. I'm just wondering about Euro oils since they usually have pretty stringent requirements because of approvals.

 

[jeepman3071]

HDEO 15w40 for hot environments or older oil burning equipment, synthetic 10w30 for everything else.