Oil for commercial mowers please

[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?

 

[oilpsi2high]

Cheapest full synthetic you can find.

 

[spasm3]

I'm thinking a 15w 40 will shear less. Since they run in heat and continuously is a 5w necessary?

 

[Jetstreamz06]

5 w is probably not needed since we don't run them much in the winter months and it's mild winters here anyways. 15w-40 would be Dino oil correct?

 

[Jetstreamz06]

Good point lol

 

[dave123]

Originally Posted By: spasm3
I'm thinking a 15w 40 will shear less. Since they run in heat and continuously is a 5w necessary?
+1 my vote for 15w40

 

[Jetstreamz06]

Is synthetic really needed? What about a 10w30 blend like Walmart brand? That would be cost effective right? I feel like the 40 weight for operating temps will handle the heat better for the air cooled engine

 

[901Memphis]

Mobil 1 high mileage 10w40

 

[Fatboymoe]

You can get a case of 12 quarts of Total Quartz 9000 Future XT 10w30 for $61 from Amazon. That's what I use in all my 4 stroke OPE.

 

[Jetstreamz06]

What makes the high mileage good?

 

[Jetstreamz06]

How do you like it?

 

[ArtDart]

Rotella 15w40

 

[HonorAndHonesty]

I run Mobil 1 in my 2010 JD Z720A. Usually 10w30 but I will probably change to 10w40 for summer this year. I have 410 hours on it and have run mobil one since around 25 hours.

 

[Mantooth]

I have a Kawi on my Hustler but it does not run anywhere near the hours yours do. Mine is a commerical grade mower used to mow my 5 acres.

That being said, I've always used Rotella in mine simply because I have leftover from the OCI in my PSD. Never had a days trouble with the Rotella and I am nearing 600hrs. Right now its getting 5w40 because thats whats in the truck. I've used 15w40 in the past and honestly I can't tell a difference. I live further north and do some cool weather mowing so the 5w40 is probably a good fit for me.

edit: this is off topic but FWIW, I refuse to over pay for the kawi brand oil filters. Mine gets a Fram TG for 100 hrs.

 

[NH73]

If you want to use a synthetic Rotella T6 5w40 is a great choice. I don't think it would shear more than a 15w40 Dino. I would choose Rotella 5w40 over Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w40. My vote is 5w40 for synthetic, 15w40 for conventional.

 

[6starprez]

You want bulk, 5 gallon Carquest 15W-40 HDEO is $60 at Advance Auto Parts.

 

[Linctex]

I use the cheapest 15W-40 I can find anywhere.

Super Tech, Harvest King, Tractor Supply, etc. ....

It's all good stuff - and cheap.

 

[ShotGun429]

As a engine shop here. Use 15w-40. Ive seen the difference.

 

[mattwithcats]

Shell Rotella T5, in 10W-30.

I've bagged gallon jugs in the $12-$15 range, and 2.5 gallon in the $30 range...

Most small engines over 17.5 horsepower can run Fram 3614 (3 and 1/2 inches long) or 3600 (5 inches long) filters (or their equivalent)....

Major savings with $3 STP blue filters (or any decent cheap brand) VS $12 OEM's...

 

[mattwithcats]

Fun thing is, if your mower requires 56 ounces, the 3600 holds 8 more, so you can just dump in 2 quarts, presto, done...