Phillips 66 Trop-Artic in a Kohler engine

[Racerjk]

I have a Sears Craftsman mower with a 17 hp Kohler command engine. I've been running Castrol GTX 10w30 with good results, but I can get a great deal on the Phillips 66 at a local farm and ranch store

I believe this oil is a synthetic blend as well. My owner's manual doesn't say anything about it not being ok to use synthetic or semi-syn.

I know it's only a small amount of oil and it only needs changing once or twice a year,but Castrol and other oils are just getting too pricey. The 66 seems to be an excellent oil, and it's a bargain also. The mower has never used a drop of oil in the 3.5 years I've had it using the GTX though.

Has anybody ever used this oil in a Kohler engine or any small engine?

 

[N Heat]

I've never used the Trop-Artic in a Kohler, but I've use just about every other oil in a Kohler Command 15. I usually run Rotella 15-40 in it, but it has seen NAPA, Superflo, Pennzoil,and some others probably. I would use any oil in it that I could get for under $1.

 

[Racerjk]

So does the Kohler like a thicker oil?

I can get Citgo at the same store for $1.19 a qt. Heck, I might give it a shot.

I'm astounded at how clean the oil stays with the Kohler engine too.

 

[N Heat]

I can't say for sure that the Kohler likes any oil over another, mine runs the same no matter what's in it. I use the Delo primarily because my buddy refills my gallon jug at the truck yard. I usually put the 10w in it around Nov. and run it till March. This unit probably sees at least 20 hrs. a week, March through Oct. Some weeks it may see over 30 hrs, most of it in 80 degree weather or hotter.

 

[Racerjk]

What oil filter do you use? I use Wix, and I have used an AC once or twice. I used the Kohler filters until I figured out I could a better one for about half the price or less.

It takes me about 20 to 30 minutes tops to mow my yard. I mow it every other week usually, but sometimes I have to mow every week. I mow my grandmother's yard which takes me about two hours solid to mow. I do it every 3 to 4 weeks.
I doubt mine sees 50 hours a year!!!

I'll never go back to a Briggs for sure.

 

[N Heat]

I've used either Purolator Premium Plus or NAPA Silver.

 

[got_titan]

how do you croos reference filters..ive got a 20hp kholer in my cub cadet...what napa filter would that translate to??

 

[like a rock]

Trop-Artic would work just fine. Kohler specs. 10w30 for most normal temps. They just want a SJ or better spec. on the container. They say synthetic is good to use but not to extend the drain intervals. So the semi-synthetic Trop would work well. Kohler makes one of the better air cooled motors on the market.

 

[jsharp]

quote:

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Originally posted by got_titan:
how do you croos reference filters..ive got a 20hp kholer in my cub cadet...what napa filter would that translate to??

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If it uses a Kohler 12-050-01-S filter it crosses to a WIX 51056. You can get that same filter from NAPA in their NAPA gold line.

For a cross to other numbers to wix try here - http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/index.asp

 

[Racerjk]

I'm running a Wix 51348 on my 17 horse Kohler. The Trop-Arctic seems to be working fine. I just bought a whole case for $1.29 a qt which is a steal for such a good oil IMO.