Tractor Oil

[AxleRod]

JD Tractor 130 w 23 hp Kohler Command engine; 177 hrs.
I have been using Rotella T 15-40 (SM rated), and am cutting 2 acres twice a week. I change the oil every 25 hours or so. Any benefit to running a synthetic oil, either 10-40 or 15 -40?
I miss my old Cub Cadet that lasted 25 years....

 

[Pablo]

I reckon with Amsoil AME 15w40 you could at least double that interval.

 

[JohnBrowning]

I do not know where Chesapeake beach is but if you have a hard winter their and use this device at all dureing that time then yes! I have great luck with Mobil 1 0W40 in my 25HP VTwin Craftsman Lanw and Garden Tactor. JD has a 0W40 oil they sell but it is hard to find expensive and overall not any better then Mobil 1 0W40. Prior to the Mobil 1 0W40 I had tired Mobil 1 5W30,5W40,10W30,and RTS Rotella T Synthetic 5W40. While I liked the economy of useing the Rotella T Synthetic 5w40 nothing seemed to work as good year round as the 0W40! It allowed for cold starts without haveing to use the battery charger or starting fluid! It handled the heat of summer and never consumed any.

The worst oil I ever tried in it was Pennzoil Platmium 5W30 it consumed that oil like a fat kid eating choclate cake! The worst part was that I tried the Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 to try and find a cheaper oil that would also allow for excellent cold winter starting. The PP required me to use a battery charger set tot he 50amp boost setting. That was with a brand new battery to boot!

So if you cold temps and have a hard time starting give Mobil 1 0W40 a try! If you do nto see cold temp's then try Rotella-T Sythetic 5W40. Rotella T Synthetic 5w40 is $16 a gallon at Walmart!

 

[Jaymus]

I'd say stick with what your doing. Rotella 15w40 is good to hold grade, and I personally like the idea of more frequent oil changes vs longer OCI's. BTW, I use Rotella 15w40 in our 1951 Ford 8N.

EDIT: LOL, I saw tractor and 23 horsepower, and I was thinking old gas engine tractor. Not a lawn mower. My advice doesn't apply to your situation now, different engines.

 

[AxleRod]

Yea, I call it my "Jane Deere." I'm not trying to sell it, I'm just trying to make the Kohler engine last longer! (I like the twin cylinder more than my old single cylinder.) I know this one isn't going to last like my dad's old Cub Cadet did.

So what do you guys think is better for the summer months in a riding mower with a Kohler Command engine: Rotella T 15-40; a stright weight Pennzoil 30; or maybe a Rotella 15-40 Synthetic? Additionally, anyone have an idea on how long these engines last? I have 177 hours on it. Thanks.

 

[sweezy722]

I have a 20 Kohler Command Pro that will turn over 500 hours this month. I use a wix or puralator oil filter. I have always used 10-30 as the owners manual says in temperatures from 35 to 105. I have used the Kohler command oil for probably 300 hours - havoline 50 hours - Valvoline synthetic maxlife 150 hours. I like the Valvoline the best. It uses no oil - starts and runs like it did when new. I change the air filter about every 100 hours and clean it every 20. I use fogging oil every fall. The mower is a 2001 model. I think my mower still has a lot of life and I would say yours is still young.

 

[TurboLuver]

I have a 98 JD 345 with the 20hp Kawasaki liquid cooled engine, it's nearing 1300 hours. Except for two seasons when I used Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5w40 it's had a steady diet of Rotella 15w40, runs great.
BTW I change the oil once a season, and I dont use it in the winter.

 

[Bill Kapaun]

Originally Posted By: AxleRod
....So what do you guys think is better for the summer months in a riding mower with a Kohler Command engine: Rotella T 15-40; a stright weight Pennzoil 30; or maybe a Rotella 15-40 Synthetic? ....


Since that engine has hydraulic lifters, Kohler specifies a 10w30 oil. You could probably get away with a straight 30 in the summer, but why take the chance?
Too thick of an oil and the lifters don't pump up fast enough, with the potential of damaging the valve train.

 

[daman]

I run Amsoil's ACD out to 100 hr's in my Briggs 18.5 hp,still golden when dumped..

you'd be fine with a 30w synthetic

 

[Barkleymut]

had a 25HP Kohler, used 10w30 for the life of it. Sold it with over 3000 hours, never did any maintenance except plugs once air filter (had the donaldson and regular) and 50 hour oil changes.
Still ran very strong, sold my landscaping biz otherwise I'm sure it would still be working for me.