Engine oil and filter once a year?

[DieselPower]

For rarely or seldom used equipment that is stored outside in non climate controled sheds I recomend a once a year oil change. As was previously mentioned condensation can build up in the oil over time. My concern wouldn't be that the water would freeze but that it will lead to rust and corrosion on internal engine parts. Also extended exposure to water can start to deteriorate/decompose some engine oil aditives.

[art]

Originally Posted by Sully2

Ive heard that theory before...but never an ACTUAL occurance in almost 60 years! If one had THAT MUCH water in his oil pan...he's got a lot bigger problems that "poor oil change schedules"..

Sully, when the winter sets in and tractors are left out or just in the cold, started on a near daily basis for winter work, warmed and then cooled back to freezing the amount of water you can get in a hydraulic system would amaze you! Could some be from melted snow, sure it could but it is not unusual for us to find a couple of quarts on a single season.

[Tig]

When it comes to oil life, I try to error on the side of caution for the car and the tractor. On occasions where I feel I am changing out synthetic oil before it's time I put the hand me down oil in the old lawn mowers etc. Left overs eventually get returned for recycling.

[Sully2]

Originally Posted by art

Sully, when the winter sets in and tractors are left out or just in the cold, started on a near daily basis for winter work, warmed and then cooled back to freezing the amount of water you can get in a hydraulic system would amaze you! Could some be from melted snow, sure it could but it is not unusual for us to find a couple of quarts on a single season.

Well..needless to say...with 50 hours in 2 years...it DOESNT get "started daily". AND...if water from "melted snow" is getting into my Hyd fluid...again...Ive got bigger problems that too long of a fluid change!!...

[EddieWalker]

My little tractore gets new oil and filters every spring just before I start mowing again. It doesn't cost very much and it's my ritual for going over everything. I mostly use that tractor for mowing, so it doesn't get allot of hours per year. Maybe twenty hours a month.

My backhoe and dozer take allot more abouse, so I changet the oil and filters on them twice a year. Spring time and August. I do it because of the amount of dust they deal with along with how hard they work. I don't pay attention to hours at all when dealing with maintenance.

The same is true with greasing. I grease before the tractors every time. It doesn't matter to me if I only used it a few hours the previous time, or ran it hard all day.

It gives me piece of mind.

Eddie

[Sully2]

Originally Posted by EddieWalker

My little tractore gets new oil and filters every spring just before I start mowing again. It doesn't cost very much and it's my ritual for going over everything. I mostly use that tractor for mowing, so it doesn't get allot of hours per year. Maybe twenty hours a month.

My backhoe and dozer take allot more abouse, so I changet the oil and filters on them twice a year. Spring time and August. I do it because of the amount of dust they deal with along with how hard they work. I don't pay attention to hours at all when dealing with maintenance.

The same is true with greasing. I grease before the tractors every time. It doesn't matter to me if I only used it a few hours the previous time, or ran it hard all day.

It gives me piece of mind.

Eddie

And I am at the other end of the spectrum. Im not dumping engine oil that has been run maybe 2 hrs. ( My driveway is 200 ft long. If it snows this winter...IF IT SNOWS I'll clean if off)..thus my "typical winter usage"

My tractor gets NO ABUSE. NONE. I most probably could accomplish every single task I have here in landscaping with a tiny BX22 or ?? Instead I chose a B3030..MUCH large and more powerful. I have no "PTO" run impliments ( didn borrow a PHD once to bore 3 holes) so I dont even have the "need" to run it wide open to get the 540 PTO speed. In fact the ONLY times it see's "wide open" is for road travel..the whole 3 miles to my farmer buddys place

Dusty enviroments? When I service my rig last week...and pulled the screen out that right in front of the radiator...it had ONE BUG stuck in it! I didnt even bother to blow it "clean" with an air hose. For my tractor to be working somewhere thats "dusty"..it means that "I" have to be working somewhere dusty. I dont have any jobs THAT important to get done

I fully grease my FEL every 5-6 hrs of FEL work (book says 10 hrs).

Ive called service managers for Cummins; Allison trannys and even Kubota..and prefaced my "questions" with.." I know what the BOOK says...but Im asking YOU"...and their replys have all been "dont worry about it"

[Wayne County Hose]

Originally Posted by Sully2

I fully grease my FEL every 5-6 hrs of FEL work (book says 10 hrs).

So you won't change oil and filter yearly on a $3,000+ engine, but you'll grease a $2 bushing prematurely? I don't get it.

Originally Posted by Sully2

Ive called service managers for Cummins; Allison trannys and even Kubota..and prefaced my "questions" with.." I know what the BOOK says...but Im asking YOU"...and their replys have all been "dont worry about it"

I'm glad to see that service managers, most of which wouldn't know a metric adjustable wrench from a 2 foot yard stick, know more about the equipment than the engineers that designed it.

Am I being a wisenheimer here? Yes I am. I have found the best way to illustrate absurdity is with absurdity.

[Doc_Bob]

Originally Posted by MrJimi

Sure, no problem, here is what Mobil says and Amsoil say and I'm guilty of leaving it in longer Shh
Jim

Thanks, very nice information.
Bob

[Doc_Bob]

Originally Posted by DieselPower

For rarely or seldom used equipment that is stored outside in non climate controled sheds I recomend a once a year oil change.

So, that is just another reason for me to use my tractor every week!!!!!!!!
Bob

[Sully2]

Originally Posted by Doc_Bob

So, that is just another reason for me to use my tractor every week!!!!!!!!
Bob

Its the best way to go...IF you have a need to use it. I cant see just starting mine up and running arond the property for no real reason.