Engine oil choice?

[rswyan]

I was surprised Kubota didn't put in a time clause, like " or once every 12 months or 200 hrs",,,,, I know with boats they recommend every season, because of acids that supposedly build up.

Not sure why you would change oil after a certain amount of time (say 12 months) versus the time you put on the machine.

As jakell2010 correctly states, acidic buildup is the reason why. Probably somewhat less of a problem now that we've switched over to ULSD and there is less sulfur in the fuel.

My owners manual for my Dodge Ram (Cummins) states at least once every 12 months, no matter the mileage.

 

[PoorMansCat]

If you want, you can just purchase Chevron oil... that who makes it for Kubota

 

[Lindsey]

I use 15 40 all year round in my B2620 I just changed at 39 hours I used castrol hypouron semi sythetic was on sale at wal mart . as for synthetic s I tried full synthetic in my tj it used it and really was no better in starting in the cold so back to dino oil . it can become very cold here -30 to - 40 . I plug in the block heater a few hours before I use the tractor its in a unheated garage and so far no problem actually starts better then my jeep when it is plugged in . as for the 50 hour oil change when in the military we changed the oil like clock work every 50 hours on our plows graders. blowers. dozers everything and to simlplify everything used 15 40 in everything .so it kept us mechanics busy but I do remeber the ole days we would bring all our trucks and other vehicles in the fall and do the change to 10 w what a pain those thing s no spin on filters all canister was a horror story . So doing oil changes is not a problem Ive done hundreds

 

[Chilly807]

I changed mine at 50 and 100, the next change will be either 200 or when a year has gone by. I don't like leaving oil in an engine for too long, condensation from hot-cool cycles builds up as do acids as folks have mentioned already.

My use varies, about 100 hours a year so far or a little more. If I was working it every day for 40 hours a week, I'd let it go 200 hours, no question.

Sean

 

[jonyyuma]

Don't forget the coolant...It is subject to dilution and breakdown like the engine oil..IMHO the fuel not having as much sulfur should help with the longer life of the engine oil and coolant.. Newer engines also have tighter tolerances.

 

[jakell2010]

THANK YOU ALL

My concern was " time" mostly,,,my last tractor was 6 years old and just gone by the 200 hr mark, which would've meant it had been changed once,,I know oils have changed a lot and so has coolant,,remember you use to have to change coolant every 40 k in a car or the radiators would carode ,,,now it lasts the life of the vehicle

My other concern was water and acid build up and if 200hrs which would a long time in my case ( likely 2 years) . If that or better why Kubota hadn't mentioned it in their specs