Engine oil choice?

[jakell2010]

I have a 2920,,, it's 3 weeks old, and am approaching the 50 hr point,,,,,,what oil are most people using?,,,is synthetic an option?, would there be any benefits,,,,,according to the manual the next interval is 200hrs. Man that's a long time for engine oil?

Thanks in advance for your help

This is not my first tractor, but it is my first NEW tractor, so I want to make sure it's right. Also is anyone doing their engine oil at different intervals ( earlier)

 

[timswi]

I'd change it at 50 hrs...Old school I guess. There are left over millings in there, not excessive, but they need to go. Personally, I've used dealer Kubota oil and filters for 7 years and never had an issue. Just my opinion.

 

[jimrs]

I know that on gas engines they say to change over after the motor is broken in. I don't know how many hours that is on a diesel but I think that I would not change over to syn oil until the change at a min of 200 hrs. Get it broken in and the rings seated and all the bearings seated and smoother then change to syn oil. I might be all wet on this but it is what is advised to do on gas engine so it sounds right to me.

 

[TripleR]

I don't use synthetic engine oil in anything. My brother is a mechanic and we have run it in our cars and trucks, but found no real advantage, others will have different opinions and experience.

I go by my manuals on frequency of oil changes.

 

[Wolfy]

You want to change it at 50 hrs the first time, then 200 hrs each next time. 15W40. If you go synthetic, be sure to wait to 400 hrs. Napa has always been my favorite parts supplier.

 

[jakell2010]

Thanks for the info',,,,,,,,,,,,,,200 hrs. Seems like A REALLY LONG TIME, I've seen 10 year old used machines with 300 hrs on them,,,,that would mean the oil had been changed twice. 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.

 

[bp fick]

Most guys in the mid-south, deep south and southwest US use 15w-40, but those of us further north have to turn over that engine in subzero weather to clean up winter storms.

For that, we prefer 10w-30 or even 5w-40 synthetic for slightly better cold engine oil flow. It is entirely your choice.

 

[PHILIP8N]

What is your climate? Ever get into freezing temps? If I lived in Texas, I would run 15w-40 year round. In Indiana we see swings from 0F to 95F, so I run a 5w-40 synthetic. Tractor came filled with 10w-30. Around 18 hour mark I changed out to to 5w-40 synthetic. Kubota recommends changing oil at 50 hours, so do it then or before. 200 hours is standard interval for a diesel oil change. Here are some UOA's from my L3940 if you are interested. Philip.

 

[vrman]

Not sure why you would change oil after a certain amount of time (say 12 months) versus the time you put on the machine. If you only use it a few times a month, changing oil every 12 months is expensive.
Haha! Only use it a few times per month...good one!

 

[dodge man]

Oil will age, even if the machine isn't used. I wouldn't want to go much over a year without changing the oil.

 

[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