Originally Posted By: OLEJOE
... Also wonder if I might be better off using Dino oil and a standard filter and just change the oil and filter more often.
This depends on how you define "better off" ...
Yanmar engines in particular are very robust and reliable. They don't "need" any special treatment other than just decent routine maintenance.
How old is your JD? If it's still in warranty, then it's prudent to follow the OEM schedule (which is probably annual given your incredibly low hours stated). If not, then I'd suggest stretching out the OCIs to three years or four. I've done it and still do with my Kubota tractor. There is no reasonable fear in doing so (note that I said reasonable, and not BITOG panic induced ......).
You don't "need" a Fram Ultra either. Great filters, but not a necessity by any stretch for your application. A decent Wix/NG or even TG would do fine. Same goes for the syn; it's a total waste at your planned OCIs, and cannot even distinguish itself even after three or four years. Four years would be 100 hours; probably equivalent to a maximum of 6000 miles use. There is no syn made that is going to lessen wear versus a good dino oil in that duration; none whatsoever.
My point is that upping the ante with a premium filter and premium oil will not do one blessed thing in terms of reducing wear. Your use is so low that it's just moot. Your accumulated hours are so low that no decent product will ever become compromised. Heck even W/M ST dino HDEO and a reasonable normal filter will EASILY cover three years.
And as for the topic of O/FCIs "more often", there is a slew of evidence that shows frequent OCIs do NOT, in any manner whatsoever, reduce wear. In fact, frequent OCIs actually will have a slightly HIGHER wear rate. There is too much proof of this to ever debate it as an informed BITOGer.
I assure you with great certainty that your little Yanmar will be just fine with multi-year, dino drive, normally filtered products.
All that said, do what you want to do. Just realize that what you want and what the engine needs are often very different things.
Why not prove it to yourself?
Pick a set of products; do some UOAs.
Change up the products; do more UOAs.
Don't ask us. Tell us what you find out.