Oil

[succor]

What about -40C? Not being a smartass, just curious if 15w40 is all I need but plugged in or is that too heavy for this cold of a climate?

 

[Bob Rooks]

What about -40C? Not being a smartass, just curious if 15w40 is all I need but plugged in or is that too heavy for this cold of a climate?

If you're operating in consistantly -40° (F / C) ambient temperature (all day long) then I would recommend SAE 5W-30 engine oil.

 

[greg_g]

But make sure it's a diesel-formulated 5W30. For 2010 and newer, get API rating CJ-4. See this document for specifics.

//greg//

 

[succor]

SO I guess 15w40 non synthetic is OK because I just use the tractor to clear snow; maybe 2 hours when we get snow and not always is it -40C. I of course look for diesel oil not gas. Am I getting this right?

Cory

 

[WilliamBos]

SO I guess 15w40 non synthetic is OK because I just use the tractor to clear snow; maybe 2 hours when we get snow and not always is it -40C. I of course look for diesel oil not gas. Am I getting this right?

Cory

Run a 5W40 full synthetic, Rotella T6, or Valvoline Premium blue full syn, or Petro Canada 5W40 full syn.

 

[greg_g]

SO I guess 15w40 non synthetic is OK because I just use the tractor to clear snow; maybe 2 hours when we get snow and not always is it -40C. I of course look for diesel oil not gas. Am I getting this right?

Cory

Yup. As I'm sure you know, it has to warm up to snow. If that's all you use the tractor for in the winter, you're likely working in temps above -20C

//greg//

 

[WilliamBos]

Yup. As I'm sure you know, it has to warm up to snow. If that's all you use the tractor for in the winter, you're likely working in temps above -20C

//greg//

Chances are it will be colder than that, he is out on the cold open praries.

 

[Bob Rooks]

Chances are it will be colder than that, he is out on the cold open praries.

In the Alaskan Panhandle it can and does get too cold to snow. If you are clearing snow and if it's only 0°C you still have to consider wind chill. Not the ambient wind chill, but the wind chill factor across the radiator and the wind chill across the engine surfaces from the fan. These all count. So the OP described his conditions vaguely, and led me down the garden path. If he had said he just wanted to play Ice Trucker in moderately cold temps. for a few hours, that would have been fine.

 

[succor]

Anyway, I use rotella 5w40 synthetic diesel oil. If you look at my first post, I asked if this would cause engine leaks, gasket failures etc. Or do I go to a conventional diesel oil. In Saskatchewan, 2 years ago, no snow, warmest winter. Last year, getting stuck and cold! This year so far bit of snow and chilly right now. Oh and yes it's nice when you get the wind blowin up your *** as well clearing the driveway.

 

[WilliamBos]

Anyway, I use rotella 5w40 synthetic diesel oil. If you look at my first post, I asked if this would cause engine leaks, gasket failures etc. Or do I go to a conventional diesel oil. In Saskatchewan, 2 years ago, no snow, warmest winter. Last year, getting stuck and cold! This year so far bit of snow and chilly right now. Oh and yes it's nice when you get the wind blowin up your *** as well clearing the driveway.

Synthetic oils do not cause leaks, they have seal swellers. If you have maintained your tractor with regular changes, you will be fine. If you have neglected it, the synthetics ability clean the sludge out may find a leak, but will not cause it.