Hi, All,
I have a fairly new John Deere tractor which will need an oil change next month, and I'd like some suggestions on what oil to use. Here are the specifics:
--Model 4610 compact tractor, 4WD, with a Yanmar 4-cylinder, 2.0L diesel engine (non-turbo), slushbox transmission, 5-quart oil sump and oil cooler.
--190 hours on the clock, and 140 hours on the motor oil. I'll change at 200 on the clock. The tractor now has J. Deere SAE 30 oil provided by the dealer as a freebie. I intend to change the oil by the book at every 200 hours.
--Ambient operating temperatures are 65-85*F and at about 1250 feet ASL.
--Operating conditions: I normally run the engine at 1700 RPM, where it makes max torque, for all chores except mowing. The tractor has a 460 front-loader and I normally attach a ballast box on the rear when I don't have the MX-6 rotary mower hooked up. I have to firewall the throttle (2600+ RPM) in low gear when mowing to keep the PTO revs up. I mow about 20 or so acres of rough, hilly, former sugar cane land, and it takes about 14 hours every 3 months. During the mowing the engine temperature approaches the red zone occasionally as the air intakes on the tractor cowling and the oil cooler vanes begin to clog from grass seeds and debris. I stop the tractor, leaving the engine on, clean off the vents and the temperature comes down to normal. I changed the secondary air filter at 133 hours--it was history. It's not that dusty here, but particulate matter from the high sulfur diesel exhaust seems to get sucked into the filter. Design flaw?
So, what oil to use? The owner's manual is not too helpful in that four oils are recommended for my temperature range: 15W-40, straight 30, 10W-30, and 5W-30. The dealer recommends straight 30.
I think a straight 30 oil is perfectly fine for my assortment of air-cooled gasoline engines (lawnmower, etc.), but I have doubts about its use in a hard-working diesel engine. But what do I know? That's why I solicit your advice. I already use Chevron Delo 400 15W-40 in another diesel engine, and it is quite cheap at Costco when bought by the case of 6 gallon jugs. Perhaps that will do. On the other hand, there is the allure of synthetics such as Shell Rotella T 5W-40, which is cheap at Wally World. Both oils say they are approved by John Deere. And would M1 5W-40 T&SUV be up to the job? It has no tractor endorsements, but I use M1 in my 3 passenger vehicles and trust the brand.
I don't want to offend anyone, but I'm not interested in using boutique oils such as Royal Purple and the others. I know they are first-class products, but I want something that is readily available and will get the job done at moderate cost.
I look forward to your recommendations!
Cheers, Mark
I have a fairly new John Deere tractor which will need an oil change next month, and I'd like some suggestions on what oil to use. Here are the specifics:
--Model 4610 compact tractor, 4WD, with a Yanmar 4-cylinder, 2.0L diesel engine (non-turbo), slushbox transmission, 5-quart oil sump and oil cooler.
--190 hours on the clock, and 140 hours on the motor oil. I'll change at 200 on the clock. The tractor now has J. Deere SAE 30 oil provided by the dealer as a freebie. I intend to change the oil by the book at every 200 hours.
--Ambient operating temperatures are 65-85*F and at about 1250 feet ASL.
--Operating conditions: I normally run the engine at 1700 RPM, where it makes max torque, for all chores except mowing. The tractor has a 460 front-loader and I normally attach a ballast box on the rear when I don't have the MX-6 rotary mower hooked up. I have to firewall the throttle (2600+ RPM) in low gear when mowing to keep the PTO revs up. I mow about 20 or so acres of rough, hilly, former sugar cane land, and it takes about 14 hours every 3 months. During the mowing the engine temperature approaches the red zone occasionally as the air intakes on the tractor cowling and the oil cooler vanes begin to clog from grass seeds and debris. I stop the tractor, leaving the engine on, clean off the vents and the temperature comes down to normal. I changed the secondary air filter at 133 hours--it was history. It's not that dusty here, but particulate matter from the high sulfur diesel exhaust seems to get sucked into the filter. Design flaw?
So, what oil to use? The owner's manual is not too helpful in that four oils are recommended for my temperature range: 15W-40, straight 30, 10W-30, and 5W-30. The dealer recommends straight 30.
I think a straight 30 oil is perfectly fine for my assortment of air-cooled gasoline engines (lawnmower, etc.), but I have doubts about its use in a hard-working diesel engine. But what do I know? That's why I solicit your advice. I already use Chevron Delo 400 15W-40 in another diesel engine, and it is quite cheap at Costco when bought by the case of 6 gallon jugs. Perhaps that will do. On the other hand, there is the allure of synthetics such as Shell Rotella T 5W-40, which is cheap at Wally World. Both oils say they are approved by John Deere. And would M1 5W-40 T&SUV be up to the job? It has no tractor endorsements, but I use M1 in my 3 passenger vehicles and trust the brand.
I don't want to offend anyone, but I'm not interested in using boutique oils such as Royal Purple and the others. I know they are first-class products, but I want something that is readily available and will get the job done at moderate cost.
I look forward to your recommendations!
Cheers, Mark
