OEM Tractor Oil vs Shell, Valvoline, Amsoil, etc.

[joc664]

I know this has probably been beat to death on here but does OEM Tractor oil have something magical that Shell Rotella or other standard oils do not have? They are always more expensive and "specially formulated" for their diesel engine.

What would happen if you put John Deere oil in Kubota tractor, etc? Is this a scare tactic to get you to pay more for the OEM oil to your tractor or is there something in the special sauce that makes their oil the best for their tractor?

Are all these diesel tractor engines that much different that you should use only theirs?

Where is the John Deere or Kubota oil factory located? I think they buy from the same people who make all the other engine oils in the US. If they are rated, they will work.

 

[Robert walker]

I know this has probably been beat to death on here but does OEM Tractor oil have something magical that Shell Rotella or other standard oils do not have? They are always more expensive and "specially formulated" for their diesel engine.

What would happen if you put John Deere oil in Kubota tractor, etc? Is this a scare tactic to get you to pay more for the OEM oil to your tractor or is there something in the special sauce that makes their oil the best for their tractor?

Are all these diesel tractor engines that much different that you should use only theirs?

I have used both OEM and Rotella. Not sure I could tell the difference. I can say that my Kubota L3400 has gotten to smoke when I first start it up and if I’m mowing or working it hard a puff will spew out every once in a while.

 

[John_Mc]

That is illegal, Magusson-Moss warranty act forbids this.

While it's illegal to void the warranty for using non-OEM oil, it is legal to offer an extended warranty if you purchase some of their oil for use in the equipment. I have not seen this mentioned for tractors, but chainsaw manufacturers have used it to get you to try their 2 cycle oils and premixed fuels when purchasing a new saw for some time now.

Either way: it's important to make sure you use oil that meets the specs to maintain warranty coverage for lube-related failures.

 

[panamaguy]

I know this has probably been beat to death on here but does OEM Tractor oil have something magical that Shell Rotella or other standard oils do not have? They are always more expensive and "specially formulated" for their diesel engine.

What would happen if you put John Deere oil in Kubota tractor, etc? Is this a scare tactic to get you to pay more for the OEM oil to your tractor or is there something in the special sauce that makes their oil the best for their tractor?

Are all these diesel tractor engines that much different that you should use only theirs?

If you put JD oil in a orange tractor you will get up the next morning and it will be green. Simple science LOL. same as HD saying you must use their oil in your Harley. Never have i seen a HD oil refinery

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I have read that using the wrong transmission oil weight in a hydrostatic can cause issues... Not sure if that is true, but something to consider. Quality is one thing, wrong weight could be another

 

[Robert walker]

For parts, yes. For fluids or additives which may not meet the necessary specs, this law does not apply.

You can't run peanut oil in your crankcase or put gas in your diesel and expect the manufacturer to pick up the tab when it breaks.

I laughed when I read your reply Not at you but the peanut oil comment. I have a generator I used to carry to hunting camp. I used it to run my weilder on occasion. One time I got out there and the welder would start but then die. It has a 10 HP tecumseh engine. I figured out the oil was low and it has a low oil shutoff. All I had was a bottle of generic canola oil. I’m here to tell you it worked fine. Of course when I got home I changed the oil. That was 20+ years ago and the generator still runs like a top. Don’t knock peanut oil in a pinch.

For parts, yes. For fluids or additives which may not meet the necessary specs, this law does not apply.

You can't run peanut oil in your crankcase or put gas in your diesel and expect the manufacturer to pick up the tab when it bre

 

[SCHMALSHOF]

Shear stability is the big difference between John Deere oil and Rotella. Learned this at a John Deere Expo years back. Rotella is a superior oil for road use. Think of a semi working the engine to get up to speed and then when it does, the rpm's go down and the engine isn't working so hard. Now think of a tractor working in the field. That engine is working hard all day long at high rpm's without any rest. That is where the oil starts to break down. Interestingly enough, CarQuest branded oil was listed number 2 (John Deere number 1) on John Deeres' list of diesel oils at that time with the best shear stability.

 

[Joe1]

I know you're talking about a diesel engine, but when I bought my TORO (Before Toro started selling AYP rebadged stuff) Garden Tractor It has a Kawasaki V-twin had a 2 year engine warranty, but if I used Kawasaki oil it was extended to 4 years. I did use the Kawasaki oil only because of the warranty, reasoning I could buy a hell of a lot of oil for the price of a new Kawasaki engine. I only use branded oil, but not the more expensive Kawasaki oil. It is nearly 20 years old and is still not burning any oil.

If one buys Kubota or John Deer brand oil, one doesn't know who refined the oil, so I would imagine that if the specifications are the same, then it should be OK. One can buy a hell of a lot of oil for the price of a Kubota Diesel, so my uninformed suggestion is go with what you feel comfortable with.

 

[DadofTim]

Bob Is The Oil Guy

Bob Is The Oil Guy

bobistheoilguy.com

Is the best place for any questions/answers you have about oil

 

[mx842]

I have read that using the wrong transmission oil weight in a hydrostatic can cause issues... Not sure if that is true, but something to consider. Quality is one thing, wrong weight could be another

Yeah, I was wondering about the hydrostatic tractor fluid. I was talking to my Kubota mechanic about the fluids I should use in my new tractor. He comes to my house and does all my regular maintenance like oil changes and other general things that need to be done on a regular basis. I asked him if I needed to use Kubota's high dollar lubricants if I wanted it to last a long time. He told me as far as motor oil was concerned to use a good quality oil that is in the correct weight range and specs, and I would be good. But he did say it would be best to use Kubota's brand in the Hydro fluid. He didn't say why he just said there is something in their oil that those Hydros liked. I have about 40 more hours to go before it needs to be changed and have a couple other things that need to be checked and was wondering if I really needed to use their hydro fluid. When he comes buy to do regular maintenance things he goes away from here with between $450 and $500. I know I could do it cheaper doing it myself just not sure about the transmission fluid.