What is equivalent to 3000 miles on OPE
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JHZR2
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Whatever the mfr oci in hours is.
Just bought a new husqvarna with a 26 horse brings. The manual says 25 hours
For the purposes of approximating time for an OCI, it's 25.
Depends on the equipment...my 25HP Kohler Command states 100 hours.
FWIW, the 3rd gen Dodge truck can have the hours read...when I compared the hours to the mileage, it figured out to be an average of 35mph. Of the others that posted, they were in that ballpark, ranging between 25mph and 45mph, depending on the driving habits (more idle time versus highway driving). So figuring 35mph over 3,000 miles is about 85 hours of operation.
FWIW, the 3rd gen Dodge truck can have the hours read...when I compared the hours to the mileage, it figured out to be an average of 35mph. Of the others that posted, they were in that ballpark, ranging between 25mph and 45mph, depending on the driving habits (more idle time versus highway driving). So figuring 35mph over 3,000 miles is about 85 hours of operation.
Yeah, one thing you need to keep in mind in comparing automotive oil change intervals to outdoor power equipment oil change intervals is the presence or absence of a full flow oil filter. Small OPE engines (usually under 10hp) are not normally going to have any sort of oil filter so these would not be comparable to automotive intervals and would require more frequent oil changes. Larger more expensive OPE engines will typically have a full flow oil filter so I would think that their oil changes recommendations would be more similar to the "severe service" oil change intervals recommended by automakers using a number like 35 mph quoted above. But, ultimately I'd consider what was recommended in my owner's manual to the final word. I might go slightly more frequent than the number in the owner's manual but I wouldn't go less.
Comparing an OPE to an automotive engine isn't applicable. Their jobs are worlds apart. An auto engine will be subject to a lot of varying of engine rpm, a lot of stop and go and of course, idling.
Generally speaking, an OPE engine will be fired up, run for a while at low speed then constant high speed until the job is done. The term "high speed" is relevant. Most OPE engine run at 3600 rpm or lower. Accordingly, there should be little strain on the valve train nor crank/connecting rod/piston components. OPE engines biggest source of concern is heat. Air cooled engines aren't as efficient as liquid cooled engines thus operating temps will be higher. Not that I would have cooling concerns on an air cooled engine that is properly ventilated, and cooling fins/fan components clear.
Even on hot days, a properly operating air cooled engine will not achieve high enough temperatures to compromise the oil. Especially a four stroke engine with a sump. Look at how little oil is used in a high revving two cycle engine. Not much oil there protecting engines that spin upwards of 7000 rpm.
Rest assured that the manufacturers recommended OCI will be more than sufficient to protect the engine. Even with a modest oil. Put in a good HDEO or even a synthetic (not really necessary) and don't worry about it.
Generally speaking, an OPE engine will be fired up, run for a while at low speed then constant high speed until the job is done. The term "high speed" is relevant. Most OPE engine run at 3600 rpm or lower. Accordingly, there should be little strain on the valve train nor crank/connecting rod/piston components. OPE engines biggest source of concern is heat. Air cooled engines aren't as efficient as liquid cooled engines thus operating temps will be higher. Not that I would have cooling concerns on an air cooled engine that is properly ventilated, and cooling fins/fan components clear.
Even on hot days, a properly operating air cooled engine will not achieve high enough temperatures to compromise the oil. Especially a four stroke engine with a sump. Look at how little oil is used in a high revving two cycle engine. Not much oil there protecting engines that spin upwards of 7000 rpm.
Rest assured that the manufacturers recommended OCI will be more than sufficient to protect the engine. Even with a modest oil. Put in a good HDEO or even a synthetic (not really necessary) and don't worry about it.
Have you noticed that OPE are only certified to run continuously at no more than 80%? I was surprised to find that. So your 5.5 HP lawnmower can only provide 4.4 HP.
As a matter of fact, there was a class action suite about that couple years ago. I never got my $10 settlement though :-(
- Vikas
As a matter of fact, there was a class action suite about that couple years ago. I never got my $10 settlement though :-(
- Vikas
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Originally Posted By: Vikas
Have you noticed that OPE are only certified to run continuously at no more than 80%? I was surprised to find that. So your 5.5 HP lawnmower can only provide 4.4 HP.
As a matter of fact, there was a class action suite about that couple years ago. I never got my $10 settlement though :-(
- Vikas
Well, look at it this way .... how long do you think your car would last at 100% throttle?
Have you noticed that OPE are only certified to run continuously at no more than 80%? I was surprised to find that. So your 5.5 HP lawnmower can only provide 4.4 HP.
As a matter of fact, there was a class action suite about that couple years ago. I never got my $10 settlement though :-(
- Vikas
Well, look at it this way .... how long do you think your car would last at 100% throttle?
Originally Posted By: engineerscott
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Have you noticed that OPE are only certified to run continuously at no more than 80%? I was surprised to find that. So your 5.5 HP lawnmower can only provide 4.4 HP.
As a matter of fact, there was a class action suite about that couple years ago. I never got my $10 settlement though :-(
- Vikas
Well, look at it this way .... how long do you think your car would last at 100% throttle?
Depends on the car. The air cooled VW beetle was made to run at full throttle continuously while driving on the Autobahn.
On many early Toyota and Datsun compacts, the power to weight ratio meant that in order to safely get through city traffic, you had to floor the gas pedal frequently. Many of those engines got 200,000 miles without major problems.
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Have you noticed that OPE are only certified to run continuously at no more than 80%? I was surprised to find that. So your 5.5 HP lawnmower can only provide 4.4 HP.
As a matter of fact, there was a class action suite about that couple years ago. I never got my $10 settlement though :-(
- Vikas
Well, look at it this way .... how long do you think your car would last at 100% throttle?
Depends on the car. The air cooled VW beetle was made to run at full throttle continuously while driving on the Autobahn.
On many early Toyota and Datsun compacts, the power to weight ratio meant that in order to safely get through city traffic, you had to floor the gas pedal frequently. Many of those engines got 200,000 miles without major problems.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Originally Posted By: engineerscott
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Have you noticed that OPE are only certified to run continuously at no more than 80%? I was surprised to find that. So your 5.5 HP lawnmower can only provide 4.4 HP.
As a matter of fact, there was a class action suite about that couple years ago. I never got my $10 settlement though :-(
- Vikas
Well, look at it this way .... how long do you think your car would last at 100% throttle?
Depends on the car. The air cooled VW beetle was made to run at full throttle continuously while driving on the Autobahn.
On many early Toyota and Datsun compacts, the power to weight ratio meant that in order to safely get through city traffic, you had to floor the gas pedal frequently. Many of those engines got 200,000 miles without major problems.
Top speed on the old vw also only tipped 80 mph. But I see your point.
Originally Posted By: engineerscott
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Have you noticed that OPE are only certified to run continuously at no more than 80%? I was surprised to find that. So your 5.5 HP lawnmower can only provide 4.4 HP.
As a matter of fact, there was a class action suite about that couple years ago. I never got my $10 settlement though :-(
- Vikas
Well, look at it this way .... how long do you think your car would last at 100% throttle?
Depends on the car. The air cooled VW beetle was made to run at full throttle continuously while driving on the Autobahn.
On many early Toyota and Datsun compacts, the power to weight ratio meant that in order to safely get through city traffic, you had to floor the gas pedal frequently. Many of those engines got 200,000 miles without major problems.
Top speed on the old vw also only tipped 80 mph. But I see your point.
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Is it considered 50 hours? Or it is 25 or 100?
If we're assuming that you're looking for the conservative, "more often than necessary" OCI for OPE - that's probably 25 hours.
Speaking more mathematically, it will be between 25 and 50 hours since 3000/55=54.5 .
If you want to overmaintain your OPE then go with 25 or once per year - whichever is shorter. IMO, if you've got some OPE that sees predictable operation in decent operating conditions with proper cooling (like a push mower that isn't bogged, log splitter, genset @50% load+good cooling) then you're probably OK to go to 50 after the first few "break in" changes. I think I've even seen people use 100h on moderately loaded gensets with good oil, otherwise you'd be shutting down to change the oil once per day in an emergency situation.
If your OPE is "severe service" (heavily bogged mulching mowers, bogged snow thrower, poor cooling) then stick with a more frequent OCI.
Is it considered 50 hours? Or it is 25 or 100?
If we're assuming that you're looking for the conservative, "more often than necessary" OCI for OPE - that's probably 25 hours.
Speaking more mathematically, it will be between 25 and 50 hours since 3000/55=54.5 .
If you want to overmaintain your OPE then go with 25 or once per year - whichever is shorter. IMO, if you've got some OPE that sees predictable operation in decent operating conditions with proper cooling (like a push mower that isn't bogged, log splitter, genset @50% load+good cooling) then you're probably OK to go to 50 after the first few "break in" changes. I think I've even seen people use 100h on moderately loaded gensets with good oil, otherwise you'd be shutting down to change the oil once per day in an emergency situation.
If your OPE is "severe service" (heavily bogged mulching mowers, bogged snow thrower, poor cooling) then stick with a more frequent OCI.
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50 hours is an aircraft standard. Testing shows that conventional aircraft oils are starting to degrade after 30 hours. Semisynthetics have more additives and may last 50 hours (maybe).
The reason I believe this applies is simply that aircraft engines are air cooled and typically operate at constant speed and at higher temps than water cooled engines. Remember that water cooled engines maintain tighter tolerances and better ring seal. Often far better.
With that in mind, I use Mobil 1, 5W-40 Turbo Diesel Truck (or similar) in most of my equipment. Interestingly enough, it provides far better idle oil pressure (after a mow) than the OEM 10W-30 in my John Deere Tractor.
My Robin/Subaru Generator clearly likes Mobil 1, 15W-50 at 50 hour intervals. UOA's come out "just right" with this mix.
The reason I believe this applies is simply that aircraft engines are air cooled and typically operate at constant speed and at higher temps than water cooled engines. Remember that water cooled engines maintain tighter tolerances and better ring seal. Often far better.
With that in mind, I use Mobil 1, 5W-40 Turbo Diesel Truck (or similar) in most of my equipment. Interestingly enough, it provides far better idle oil pressure (after a mow) than the OEM 10W-30 in my John Deere Tractor.
My Robin/Subaru Generator clearly likes Mobil 1, 15W-50 at 50 hour intervals. UOA's come out "just right" with this mix.
Originally Posted By: boraticus
Comparing an OPE to an automotive engine isn't applicable. Their jobs are worlds apart. An auto engine will be subject to a lot of varying of engine rpm, a lot of stop and go and of course, idling.
Agreed, but the OP was asking how many hours a 3,000 mile OCI was in hours...maybe they were seeing how they compared?
And at one point, I considered changing my truck's oil based on hours and not miles because the hours vary widely depending on the amount of idle time and speed driven. 15,000 miles (my recommended OCI) varies between 425 hours (or more depending on the amount of idling done) and 230 hours...that's a pretty significant swing.
Comparing an OPE to an automotive engine isn't applicable. Their jobs are worlds apart. An auto engine will be subject to a lot of varying of engine rpm, a lot of stop and go and of course, idling.
Agreed, but the OP was asking how many hours a 3,000 mile OCI was in hours...maybe they were seeing how they compared?
And at one point, I considered changing my truck's oil based on hours and not miles because the hours vary widely depending on the amount of idle time and speed driven. 15,000 miles (my recommended OCI) varies between 425 hours (or more depending on the amount of idling done) and 230 hours...that's a pretty significant swing.
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