Yanmar YM2500 Engine Oil

[Travis R.]

Hello, my name is Travis. I’m a new member here and this is my first post.
I recently bought a Yanmar YM2500 compact tractor from Fredricks Outdoor in Decatur, Alabama on 11/22/2024 with 2,650 hours. The tractor was refurbished by them.
I am in Southeast Louisiana and it gets very hot here in the summer, mainly because of the humidity. There isn’t many days in the winter that it gets below freezing. We rarely see snow and if we do, it isn’t much.
I read in another group where it stated to use John Deere Torq Gard Supreme SAE 30 weight engine oil in the engine. Supposedly there are records that using 15w-40 causes head gaskets to blow because it makes the engine overheat. The oil pump can’t sling it fast enough or something, idk.

What is a compatible oil to the Deere Torq Gard Supreme SAE 30 that I could get at Walmart or O’Reilly Autoparts?

Thank You and Have a Blessed Week!
Travis

 

[Travis R.]

By the way, this is basically the same tractor as the John Deere 850. The YM2500 and 850 were both manufactured on the same assembly line by Yanmar in Japan. They share the same Yanmar 3T80 engine.

 

[dnewton3]

When I was in college, I worked the summers for a school corporation; mowing crew. I rode around on a nice JD850 for three summers. Excellent basic tractors. That old engine won't care one bit what you use as long as it's a CH-4 (or higher) diesel rated oil. Those are very robust, reliable engines. I would recommend you use any decent 15w-40 year round in your area. Use any good quality UTHF for the transmission/hydraulics.

The Walmart brand (SuperTech) has good diesel and UTHF lubes; that's what I'd use for an old unit like that one.

 

[Zaedock]

By the way, this is basically the same tractor as the John Deere 850. The YM2500 and 850 were both manufactured on the same assembly line by Yanmar in Japan. They share the same Yanmar 3T80 engine.

Welcome to the forum. Beautiful tractor!

I have the same engine in my '81 750. I currently run T6 5W40 for winter here in New England. I was previously running 15W40 and it didn't skip a beat or overheat hauling logs and firewood for my small operation.

 

[JavierH19]

Any 15w-40 and if it burns a bit too much you could try m1 15w-50 which can be used in diesels.

 

[kschachn]

I read in another group where it stated to use John Deere Torq Gard Supreme SAE 30 weight engine oil in the engine. Supposedly there are records that using 15w-40 causes head gaskets to blow because it makes the engine overheat. The oil pump can’t sling it fast enough or something, idk.

No on that one.

 

[Chris142]

How about a diesel 10w30?

 

[dlundblad]

Good looking machine.

My dad has a Ford 1500 of this vintage. Also made in Japan. The manual states straight 30 or 15w40. Pretty much any heavy duty diesel oil you can find today will be a great choice.

I would personally use a 15w40 since cold weather usage isn’t an issue.

 

[Bighorn2500]

I have a 1978 JD950 with about 2200 hours on it.
I’ve run 5w40, 15w40, 10w30, and now 0w40.
You’ll be fine with 15w40 in your climate, I run the 0w40 & 5w40 due to the winter temperatures for snow blowing/snow plowing.

 

[wpod]

Cool tractor, 15W-40 is the new 30. Any of the major name brand oils will serve you well.

 

[Slick]

Hello, my name is Travis. I’m a new member here and this is my first post.
I recently bought a Yanmar YM2500 compact tractor from Fredricks Outdoor in Decatur, Alabama on 11/22/2024 with 2,650 hours. The tractor was refurbished by them.
I am in Southeast Louisiana and it gets very hot here in the summer, mainly because of the humidity. There isn’t many days in the winter that it gets below freezing. We rarely see snow and if we do, it isn’t much.
I read in another group where it stated to use John Deere Torq Gard Supreme SAE 30 weight engine oil in the engine. Supposedly there are records that using 15w-40 causes head gaskets to blow because it makes the engine overheat. The oil pump can’t sling it fast enough or something, idk.

What is a compatible oil to the Deere Torq Gard Supreme SAE 30 that I could get at Walmart or O’Reilly Autoparts?

Thank You and Have a Blessed Week!
Travis

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Nice tractor

I would use a CK-4 15W-40 for your area. I like the offerings that also meet the Ford specification (wss-m2c171-f1). This just assures that it has the higher levels of anti-wear adds and especially good if you have flat tappet lifters running on your camshaft. Suspect your Yanmar engine has flat tappets. Last time I looked all of the Shell Rotella T4/T5/T6 15W-40 have the Ford Specification. The lower cost Mobil 1300 Super does not last time I looked. The T4 Rotella is specifically what I would use as it is available most places including Menards and Walmart for under $16 per gallon.

Another good forum you could use is the Yanmar Classic forum on the tractorbynet website. Much great information from fellow users of the Yanmar classic vintage tractors. If you have any questions not previously answered you can post questions and usually get quick responses from other users.

Enjoy the Classic/Vintage Yanmar

Slick

 

[Jetronic]

How about a diesel 10w30?

Yes that, if a 15W-40 is considered too viscous, but I can't see why.