Kama 354X

[Dave_Lilly]

When I bought my KAMA 354X the dealer told me to use 10W40 oil in the crankcase. I have been trying to find a diesel rated 10W40 (Wal-Mart, TSC, NAPA, AutoZone), but no one seems to carry a diesel rated 10W40. They all point to straight 30wt oil as the only oil they they have, except for AutoZone, who has a 15W45 diesel rated oil. My tractor manual specifies SAE 30 for most temperature conditions. Anyone know where I can find a diesel rated 10W40 or if this is even the right oil to use?
Also, which way do I position the HI-Lo speed lever for the PTO to select the low/high PTO speed? It isn't marked in any way.
Thanks

 

[billbill1]

Dave, I use 10W30 in my tractor. I would put the pto in gear and observe the output shaft of the pto. The slower speed will be 540 rpm and the higher will be 1000 rpm which won't be used for anything that I am aware of.

 

[greg_g]

Dave, I believe your dealer may have meant/said 15W40 oil in the crankcase. And I've never heard of 15W45, unless it's some new synthetic/blend rating. The word "diesel" may or may not not be on the container label, but the API Service rating will. Ratings starting with C- are for diesels, starting with S- are for gasoline engines. See THIS PDF. Review the Obsolete categories too. Just cuz a rating is obsolete, doesn't mean you still won't find that type oil on some store shelves. Dollar General is still selling CA rated 30W for example. Buyer beware.

Your owner manuals are translated directly from their domestic manuals, so recommendations of this nature are generally made with the Chinese owner in mind. In some cases ISO ratings are used, confusing the issue even more. Multi-viscosity fluids and anti-freeze are apparently not widely available to the Chinese consumer yet.

I don't know specifically on the TS354, but my Jinma and KAMA both are 540 rpm with the speed select lever down/forward. Some implements run at "other than 540", but they're rare. Regardless, you should be able to tell by ear which is faster. If still in doubt, get off the tractor and look at the PTO spline. With the engine at idle, one position should be visibly faster than the other.

//greg//