Kubota L3130 : First oil change : Shell Rotella T5 doesn't meet spec?

[hendr1x]

Hello everyone,
Just picked up a used L3130 with 2k hours on it. It's been running dino oil it's entire life. I've been taught that switching from dino to synthetic so late in life is not the best (prone to leaking) but I would be glad to hear conflicting opinions. I was planning on buying some Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 (synth blend), however Kubota says they want API classification CD, CE or CF. Seems like that is NOT listed for Rotella T5.


So here I am....can I get any opinions on what to do? Thank you.

 

[KubotaToy]

CD, CE or CF are all obsolete and replaced by CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4 or CH-4 which I am pretty sure Rotella T5 meets. I have no problem running any Rotella diesel oils in any of my tractors, trucks or equipment and I do (T6).

Take a look at this site... Oil Service Classifications

 

[5030]

T6 for both my M9's as well.

 

[hendr1x]

Great. Thank you.

And for the next guy :

• Specifications, Approvals and Recommendations: API CK-4, CJ-4, CI-Plus, CI-4, CH-4; ACEA E9; Caterpillar ECF-3, ECF-2; Cummins CES 20086, 20081; Detroit Fluid Specification 93K222, 93K218; Deutz DQC III-10 LA; Ford WSS-M2C171-F1; JASO DH-2; Mack EO-S 4.5,

 

[bdog]

Your T5 is fine but if you want synthetic I wouldn’t hesitate. I switched my 4440 to synthetic after 8,000 hrs and 35 years of Dino oil. Why? Mainly because I buy it by the drum and have it on hand. Worked fine and no leaks developed. Did the same on my dozer with over 3500 hrs.

 

[Sberry]

The old engines love the new oil.

 

[RalphVa]

Hello everyone,
Just picked up a used L3130 with 2k hours on it. It's been running dino oil it's entire life. I've been taught that switching from dino to synthetic so late in life is not the best (prone to leaking) but I would be glad to hear conflicting opinions. I was planning on buying some Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 (synth blend), however Kubota says they want API classification CD, CE or CF. Seems like that is NOT listed for Rotella T5.


So here I am....can I get any opinions on what to do? Thank you.

I've switch very old engines from dino to synthetic with absolutely no problems. The Gravely 5665 actually stopped using oil.

Think synth blends are a silly idea. Either use a cheaper dino oil or go full synthetic or hydrotreated like Rotella typically probably is.

 

[oosik]

My 2009 Kubota M6040 - Shell Rotella - T4 15W40
My 2019 Taco Wagon( Ram 2500 Power Wagon ) - full synthetic 0W40.

 

[Paystar]

API CK-4 oils exceed the performance criteria of API CJ-4, CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, and CH-4 and can effectively lubricate engines calling for those API Service Categories. They are backwards compatible.

The only one you need to stay away from is the new FA-4 category that is made for the new on road emission diesels. They are not backwards compatible.

 

[Williy]

If you are going to use a blend your just as well
to stick to what you are using. Use one or the
other the blend is like adding 2 quarts regular oil
and 2 quarts of synthetic

willy

 

[Robin Veerman]

Yep, synthetic blend could be 10/90, 50/50, 90/10 no standard to achieve. Use full synthetic and maybe do a quick change the first time as a good synthetic will remove a lot sludge and possibly plug the filter. I’d recommend something from the Amsoil Heavy Duty line like the 5w40. Order it one day an usually get it on your porch a day or two later. Pm me for a link, Dutchy

 

[mudking]

Full-time Professional Captains of multi-million dollar offshore boats run Rotella T4 for the first 500-1000 hours even in 2000hp V12 Cat Diesels because it's a more trusted and time-proven oil than any other. Then they'll maybe switch to T6, because it's cheaper in the long run and entails less labor if you're changing 50 gallons of oil at a time on a twin screw 120 footer and can get three to four times the hours between changes with synthetic. So, under heavy high-hour use, a high quality synthetic makes sense. However, these guys don't trust "just as good as" type oils, so it's Rotella T4 or T6. They know there could be as good or maybe even better oils out there but Rotella is known 100% as reliable quality oil, and that goes double in diesels that may be far out to sea.

I run T4 in all my tractors, and I also think it's not cost-effective, necessary, or even beneficial to run synthetic in any tractor that's being used <300 hours a year.

 

[MossyDell]

Very old or abused diesels and vehicles may spring leaks, I understand, because they were already leaking or their seals would have leaked had they not been so dirty.

I switched my first tractor, a little Kubota B6100E my father had used in his nursery business for 10 years, to synthetic with no problems. It had been run on Kubota branded oil and I used Mobil 1.