Change oil before winter even though hours are low?

[Texasmark]

I'm surprised it doesn't specify break-in oil change at 5 hrs.

Tin plated piston rings have solved that problem.

 

[dflur]

I try to to do repairs and service work by during the off season. When the season gets here, I don't have to use valuable time doing stuff like that.

 

[newbury]

Change it as soon as convenient.
Bear in mind the first oil change will:
Let you find little pieces of metal all around - or hopefully not
Let you put in a top notch oil -
Let you "standardize" the process - do you need any special tools or techniques for removing/replacing filter(s), draining/refilling.
Let you know how much space do you need to do it in.

 

[GeneV]

Tin plated piston rings have solved that problem.

I dunno, who cares, it's a simple oil change. You're about to take a long drive, you take a preventive pee, same story.

 

[scotchwhiskey]

New2, if you had asked about any other oil change than the first one I would say to wait. And even for the first one I don't think that waiting 'til Spring will do one bit of harm.

But.... just for something to think about, not all oil changes are done for the same reason. The very first oil change is not done because the oil is old or dirty or worn out. You don't change it the first time for the same reason you will change it from then on out. The first oil change is at low hours because it is mainly done to get the inevitable manufacturing debris out of the engine.

So for this first change, the hours to do it are a bit lopsided if you follow me. It probably won't hurt to wait, but there might possibly be an advantage to doing it early. I would personally regard the 50 hours as a Maximum.. I believe I changed the oil on my last tractor at about 40 hours and again before a 100. After that, you may want to go for extended intervals.

Here's something that might interest you, consider saving that first oil filter to open up someday (an old style can-opener is best - no particles) and have a look inside. You may be amazed at the amount of metal in there. Don't worry, that just means the filter is doing its job.

If you want to look at the oil itself, carefully put some drops of the used dirty oil onto a pad of blotting paper and put it aside to set for a few days or longer.
Then put the paper under a magnifying glass or dissecting microscope or what have you.... and have a look. You will see how the old oil has spread out and formed concentric rings of oil, soot, dirt, possible additives, and of course some fine metallic dust - not necessarily in that order.

You can even save the oil blots to compare with next year's oil.

There's lots more fun to be had here than just cutting grass ....
rScotty

rScotty, you have nailed it on all points! People like you are what make these forums soo useful!