First Oil Change- what weight oil?

[pizzaguy]

Going to do the first service on my Grand L3240HSTC and I am planning in using Rotella oil. The tractor is used harder in the winter to run a snowblower than I use it in the summer. Temps range from -20F winter to 90+F in the summer. I am thinking 10W30 or 10W40 T5 Rotella would be good, but can't find 10W40 here. The other Rotella available is 15W40,which I don't think is good for winter. Is the 10W30 a good choice for these conditions or what would you recommend?

 

[sixdogs]

How many hours do you have? I ask because 15W40 is likely appropriate but synthetic would be a better choice as long as you have maybe 100 to 150 hours.

 

[pizzaguy]

Right around 35 hours but I have had it about a year.

 

[number two]

Rotella 10W30 would be a great choice for your usage if you don't need/want synthetic.Very popular in these parts for compact tractors.
10W30 is the factory fill on Kubota-many members use Rotella 10W30 as well.
Good Luck!

 

[sixdogs]

At 35 hours the 10W30 is the better idea.

 

[MHarryE]

Is it sitting outside for the -20 starts? If so synthetic 5W-40 although it is more expensive. In a heated garage the other oils will do.

 

[RobertN]

Gonna go out on a limb here... What does the manual say to use? The factory manual for my old '41 Farmall A, '85 Kubota B8200, and current NH TC40D all spell that out pretty clearly.

 

[PHILIP8N]

Owners manual for oil viscosity/weight is very outdated. We have similar temperature conditions, and I would suggest a 5w-40. Here is an excellent viscosity chart from Caterpillar. Philip.

 

[RalphVa]

My VW TDI uses 5w30 synthetic ESP oil. Same oil (minus the ESP) is specified for my 1025 (and was for my 4010) JD. It's available locally at Advance Auto here as Castrol 5w30 for less than $15 for the gallon or 5 liter container. This is what I plan to use in my 1025. Can't get Mobil 1 for diesels here; it seems; otherwise, I'd use it.

A xxw30 is all you need for the winter and is fine for the summer as long as you're not working it hard in temps >90 F. I'd get the lower "xx" that you can find for a diesel. 10w30 is too middle of the road. Go to at least a 5w30.

Ralph

 

[pizzaguy]

Gonna go out on a limb here... What does the manual say to use?

10W30- But as PHILIP8N stated, the manual is outdated on viscosity/weights and does not even mention synthetics or 5Wxx or 15Wxx oils.