What? No 15-40?

[hrcarver]

I'm a new kubota owner, so while browsing through the manual I saw something that struck me as absolutely bizarre.

It said to run car oil (sae 20 or 30, 10-30) in a diesel? Why? Never heard of anything like that.

 

[bp fick]

My Kubota does mention the 15w-40 and 10w-30, but not the common 5w-40 typically found in synthetic.

Hard to believe a diesel rated oil isn't intended for your M.

 

[Diamondpilot]

My Jinma says to use SAE 30 in its 28HP diesel engine. I did this for the first 500 hours then switched over to 15W40 oils.

Funny thing is it also recommends SAE 30 for the front axle, transmission, and hydraulics. I used it for about the first 250 hours at which time I changed the front axle and gear box to 80W90 gear oil and the hydraulics to a AW32 Hydro oil.

I contribute simplified oil recommendations on it because its Chinese and decent lubes are much tougher to get in the Rice Paddys over there. Heck, they say to put clean stream water in the radiator and to remove it if temps are going to drop below freezing. I run anti-freeze/water mix in it since day one.

Chris

 

[bp fick]

Kubota sells the following oils at their dealerships.

15w-40, 10w-30, 30w all diesel rated. Those are your choices.

Kubota Tractor Corporation - Parts | Kubota Lubricants

 

[Soundguy]

did it actually spec a 'S' rated oil.. or a 'C' rated oil.

in cold-er areas, 10w30 C rated oil is more common.

soundguy

 

[hrcarver]

The engine is a V3307-DI. (4cyl diesel)

It says.

Engine oil: API Service Classification CD, CE, or CF (no idea what any of that is).

above 77 degrees: sae 30, sae 10w-30 or sae 10w-40

32-77 degrees: sae 20, sae 10w-30, or sae 10w-40

below 32 degrees: sae 10w, sae 10w-30, or sae 10w-40.


It looks like 10w-40 is the closest I can get to 15w-40, since I run both below 32 and above 77. Is any 10w-30 or 10w-40 off the shelf diesel rated or is there some special about it?

 

[Jimbrown]

"Engine oil: API Service Classification CD, CE, or CF (no idea what any of that is).
"

And that is the problem. You need learn what those letters mean.

CD,CE, CF are diesel rated oils designed specifically for diesel engines.

Most of the shelf oil is S rated and designed for gasoline engines. It ain't the same. Might wat to do some lokkin/ here is one place.

Motor Oil Grades and Service Ratings

 

[Jerry/MT]

I'm a new kubota owner, so while browsing through the manual I saw something that struck me as absolutely bizarre.

It said to run car oil (sae 20 or 30, 10-30) in a diesel? Why? Never heard of anything like that.

SAE 30, 10W30 etc are viscosity ratings.

What API service classification does the owners manual recommend? Most gas engines us S series API service classifications while most diesels use C series serviceclassifications. Some oils have both S and C ratings. Make sure you are using the correct API rated oil in your tractor as well as the correct viscosity rating.

 

[wny770]

Car oil? I run Rotella 10w-30 Diesel rated oil in my NH tractors... It says "car oil"? That's strange.....

 

[rcurrie]

S stands for spark ignition, C stand for compression ignition.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

In addition to viscosity considerations, there are other additives in the "C" rated oils that are beneficial to deisel engines. Very important to know and follow if you should have an oil related warranty claim.

For VW TDI drivers, it is a big issue because of the limited number of oils that meet the VW 507 specification, and the propensity of dealers to use bulk "S" rated oils when they do an oil change for you. "S" rated oils are generally less expensive.

 

[5030]

Gee.... 15-40 flows like a 15 Weight (API viscosity rating) at room temperature but provides a film thickness rating of 40 Weight at operating temperature.

To further confuse you, film thickness ratings are measured in SSU units.

Not important really.

Gawd, I hate oil threads...................

 

[hrcarver]

I always thought 15-40 was for diesels. I have a road tractor, 5 diesel irrigation motors, maybe a dozen tractors, and two piggyback forklifts and they all take plain ol rotella 15-40. All I ever used 10-30 was for gas engines. Didn't know there was any difference other than the viscosity rating. Also had no idea there are other options for diesel oil.

I'm not a mechanic (obvious to most of you by now). I am glad to know that there is a difference between gas and diesel oil, even of the same viscosity.

Is the diesel 10-30 readily available (like walmart, napa, etc)? I hope I dont have to drive all the way to a dealership to find it...

 

[sw03]

In addition to viscosity considerations, there are other additives in the "C" rated oils that are beneficial to deisel engines. Very important to know and follow if you should have an oil related warranty claim.

For VW TDI drivers, it is a big issue because of the limited number of oils that meet the VW 507 specification, and the propensity of dealers to use bulk "S" rated oils when they do an oil change for you. "S" rated oils are generally less expensive.

"warranty claims". They will pull a UOA and see what they says before any owner slips etc...

15w-40 works but there are better oils with lower pour, better ZDDP etc.

 

[bp fick]

I always thought 15-40 was for diesels. I have a road tractor, 5 diesel irrigation motors, maybe a dozen tractors, and two piggyback forklifts and they all take plain ol rotella 15-40. All I ever used 10-30 was for gas engines. Didn't know there was any difference other than the viscosity rating. Also had no idea there are other options for diesel oil.

I'm not a mechanic (obvious to most of you by now). I am glad to know that there is a difference between gas and diesel oil, even of the same viscosity.

Is the diesel 10-30 readily available (like walmart, napa, etc)? I hope I dont have to drive all the way to a dealership to find it...

Choice #1? Go back to your Kubota dealer and buy Kubota oil.
Choice #2? Go to your nearest WalMart and they have Rotella in all the grades, including 5w-40 Synthetic Blue Jug, 10w-30 Silver Jug semi-synthetic, or White Jug, 15w-40 dino.
Choice #3 Most good auto parts stores have an array of oils for diesels, from house brands all the way to expensive Amsoil synthetics.

 

[MHarryE]

What they said- you need to make sure you match the oil rating, not just the viscosity. Diesels generally require an oil with a C as the first letter in the rating, but then you need to pay attention to the rest. My excavator, for example, says not to use CF-4 oil, but lists several grades you can use. I run 10W-30 in my Kubota at dealer's recommendation. Live in the north, temps over 90 unusual, temps colder than freezing throughout the year. If I were a few hundred miles south, 15W-40 would be the oil. Your smaller diesel would also likely prefer the lighter viscosity. Just because it's a diesel doesn't mean it needs the same oil as a 15 liter .

 

[Bigfoot62]

I'm a new kubota owner, so while browsing through the manual I saw something that struck me as absolutely bizarre.

It said to run car oil (sae 20 or 30, 10-30) in a diesel? Why? Never heard of anything like that.

That proves it. Your 'bota is a car, not a tractor.

 

[wny770]

Is the diesel 10-30 readily available (like walmart, napa, etc)? I hope I dont have to drive all the way to a dealership to find it...

I order the Rotella 10w-30 from my local Napa.

 

[brucew44guns]

I bought a new 72 inch Z331 Kubota mower a year ago. That's a 31 HP diesel, no mention of "car oil" to be used. If it were me, and you will be using your machine in the coldest of weather, I'd get some Delo 400, or Delvac 1300, or Rotella T in 10W30. Get it in CJ-4 spec, the latest API spec. In the summer when it's hot, have some of the same in 15W/40. A little overlap of the seasons won't matter. But no way would I put an automotive straight 30 or 10-40 oil in there. I haven't changed my mower yet, has 22 hours on it, but I will change soon. It will get Delo 400 CJ-4 in 15W-40, running in warmer weather only. Premium diesel oils will insure a long life for your engine.

 

[daman1]

I'm a new kubota owner, so while browsing through the manual I saw something that struck me as absolutely bizarre.

It said to run car oil (sae 20 or 30, 10-30) in a diesel? Why? Never heard of anything like that.

There are diesel rated 30w and 10w30 oils,re look at your manual should say CI-4 or CJ-4 oil should be used.