Oil for commercial mowers please

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Originally Posted By: dblshock
nothing like a good HDEO.


I think a synthetic oil needs to be in these engines. Regular oil is black as can be while synthetic still has a nice brownish tint to it after twice as long.
 
Originally Posted By: Atesz792
Surprised no one mentioned modern monogrades.


Probably due to availability... and price

Really good 15W-40 HDEO is available anywhere, and usually cheaper
 
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071


While small engines do run a bit hotter, they aren't necessarily hard on oil. As long as it is kept full you will be fine.


This is the reason that you don't need to use a monograde oil. While would some people want to run monograde? Other than holding unto some old way of doing things.
 
Store brand 15W40
Name brand 15W40
Store brand SAE40
Name brand SAE40 (Delo, Rotella)

That's my pick. For fleet service, and LOTS of oil changes, these are what I would pick for your climate.
 
Another to toss in the ring - I have been finding Delvac 1300 15w40 for $13/gallon - can't hurt that stuff ...
 
Originally Posted By: HemiHawk
How would something like Mobil 1 0w40 hold up in mowing applications? In some cases, especially with rebates that comes in pretty cheap.

I've been wondering that too, but you don't see much recent discussion of M1 0w40 in OPE.
 
Originally Posted By: Astro_Guy
Originally Posted By: HemiHawk
How would something like Mobil 1 0w40 hold up in mowing applications? In some cases, especially with rebates that comes in pretty cheap.

I've been wondering that too, but you don't see much recent discussion of M1 0w40 in OPE.

I use it in my OPE all the time, it's what I used to use in the BMW so it was on the shelf for me (now i use Castrol 0W-40). It's been quite a few years and so far nothing has blown up, started on fire nor seized up. Nor does anything use it in any appreciable quantity.
 
all engines go through a warm-up then deal with deposits... so without going nuts on price 5/40 CJ-4 til you can't find it anymore.
 
Buy WalMart 15w40 at less than $10.00 per gallon. Most economical oil to use and a good compromise between syn and dino oil. It is a diesel engine oil and will work well in your engines. The most important thing to do is each day before using the mower, check the oil level and add if needed. Next is keep the air filters clean. Blow them out with compressed air. They dont have to look brand new white but you want them as debris free as possible so the air flow is not restricted. Restricted air flow results in a richer fuel/air ratio which washes down the engine cylinders and thins the viscosity of the oil. Change the oil between 50-60 hours. Add a dose of carb/fuel injector cleaner to the fuel on a monthly basis. This is a good maintenance plan to use and your equipment will last for years.
 
All great advise guys! I have really liked the rotella 15-40 so far. It was 90 degrees today and I ran the mower all day long. Runs smooth and quiet. I check the oil level all the time and blow out the air filter with my lower after each lawn just to keep it somewhat clean between properties. Sharpen blades 2-3 times per week. Grease every morning as well. I found a longer oil filter that fits great, hats what I'm using now. I keep an eye on the hour meter and change the oil sooner than later. We have 6 mowers going every day so it's a task to keep them running perfect. We run non ethanol gas in everything and change fuel filters often as well. Really the only thing the doesn't get changed oftern are spark plugs, usually once a season.
 
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I think I definitely would run a synthetic or a blend as a minimum because of the air cooled engine temps. I would look at a HD diesel?gas rated 10w30 0r 5w40 oil like a T5 or T6 ROTELLA OR DELO. ED
 
Originally Posted By: Jetstreamz06
All great advise guys! I have really liked the rotella 15-40 so far. It was 90 degrees today and I ran the mower all day long. Runs smooth and quiet. I check the oil level all the time and blow out the air filter with my lower after each lawn just to keep it somewhat clean between properties. Sharpen blades 2-3 times per week. Grease every morning as well. I found a longer oil filter that fits great, hats what I'm using now. I keep an eye on the hour meter and change the oil sooner than later. We have 6 mowers going every day so it's a task to keep them running perfect. We run non ethanol gas in everything and change fuel filters often as well. Really the only thing the doesn't get changed oftern are spark plugs, usually once a season.


When you are ready to sell tell me haha. That is exactly what I did when I was working for a larger landscaping company. Those scags would purr like a kitten
 
Originally Posted By: Jetstreamz06
I run all exmark mowers with kawi engine and one has a kohler. Used commercially all day every day. I'd like to stick with one brand that I can buy bulk to simplify the oil change process. I change oil on some mowers once a week lol. We put a 3-400 hours on them each season. I was thinking about running rotella syn 5w-40 in all of them. I'm in Georgia heat. All mowers are pretty new with less than 600 hours on them, with the kohler clocking in at 950 hours currently. What do you think?


Stick with Rotella6 5W-40
 
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