Oil for Ford Riding Lawnmower??

[JTK]

I hear that. I've still got the initial fill of Napa Fleet 15w40 in my Snapper commercial series push-mower. This oil is in an open, but sealed gallon jug I've had on hand for a few years.

Like boraticus says, keep an adequate level of oil in there and you're good to go. I tend to gravitate to the 40wts because of their more heavy-duty properties.

Joel

 

[dwendt44]

Older iron, or iron lined engines could run forever on most any oil as long as the crankcase was kept full.

Today's engines are lighter, cheaper and many run with no liner at all. A little extra 'heft' in the oil doesn't hurt.

The average lawn mower owner doesn't know or may not even care about long life for their OPE. If it takes a dump, toss it out and buy a new one.
Since most of us here at BITOG are more knowledgeable about oil and engines, we tend to use better oil and take better care of our stuff. Hence the urging to use HDEO in mowers and such.
Some cycles come spec'd for 10W-30. NOT ME!
Modern oil may be great at cleaning but some of the additives that have been taken out are just the ones needed for those cheaper built engines.
So, while 10W-30 might work fine, 15W-40 will, or at least should, work better in an air cooled, hot running, no filter engine; and the engine should last even longer.

This is, of course, just my opinion, like everyone else's.

 

[deeter16317]

Originally Posted By: crusader540
I bought a house and it had a Ford LGT riding lawnmower in the garage. It has a Kohler engine and I believe it is an early 90s model. I'm looking to change the oil and would like to know what kind of oil to use? 5w30, 10w40, 10w30, 30w???? Thanks for any help/suggestions.



Are you sure its that new? I didn't think the LGTs made it past the early 80s? I have the Jacobson clone of the Ford LGT. For what its worth, I ran 15w40 Rotella in it all last mowing season; then changed to 5w40 Schaeffer in it this spring. Its probably a K-series Kohler engine?

Don't forget the transaxle...it is probably an Eaton and calls for a 20w20 hydraulic oil. I found mystic JT-6 is available locally and meets that spec, and works well.

 

[Boss302fan]

I would use Rotella 5W40 synthetic during the summer months in Wi or year round in warmer climates...

 

[Bror Jace]

I think Donald's warning about 10W-40 oil is merely out of date. There is a four-fold spread between the 10 and 40. There is a six-fold spread between the 5 and 30 of 5W-30 and you don't hear the same warnings about how these oils are unsuitable for use.

10W-40 was the most common multi-vis oil in the 80s. The 10W-40s with prior generation VIIs were prone to sludging ... but they were largely phased out over a decade ago. Modern formulations are fine for use now ... although the 5W-40 synthetics and 15W-40 dino HDEOs are stouter/superior products.

If you use a 10W-30 and work the engine hard, make sure it is a HDEO ... Rotella, Delo, Delvac, Pennz HD, etc ... and check the oil level frequently until you get a feel for the rate of consumption.

I don't like straight 30 if you start the engine on cold spring or fall mornings (40F or colder) if you use the tractor to haul wood, yard debris, etc ...