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

[Frxdy]

Yes, a dealer may analyze your to see if it meets specs, but they can NOT void a warranty claim because you did not use "their" oil. There was a quiet court case (In the 90's?) when Bombardier said you MUST use their oil for the snowmobiles they produced. When it got in front of a judge, the court basically said: "If you mandate a customer use your brand of oil, you must supply it at no charge. If you decide to not supply it for free, you are required to tell the customer what oils meet your specs".

 

[raftgyde]

See Magnuson-Moss warranty act. Can't void a warranty based on the used of non OEM parts.

Thank you for posting that. I was trying to remember the name of the act. I ran across this same discussion in a motorcycle forum a number of years ago.

 

[DarkBlack]

Every time I see people posting about Magusson-Moss, I wonder if they are just taking the academic approach to this issue or if they understand the actual practical implications of how this would play out for them.

99.99% of engine failures related to oil, are either due to lack of oil, or oil that wasn’t changed in a reasonable timeframe. Both are easily determined without lab testing. Engine failure because of the brand label printed on a jug on the manufacturer’s bottling line, is irrelevant. If it’s reasonably fresh oil in the engine, a dealer is unlikely to send out a sample to a testing lab, as the real cause of failure will likely be obvious. If the oil chosen was the correct ratings, in the unlikely event of a lab check, the lab results will show the oil’s standard properties.
The lawsuit scenario you painted, pretty much doesn’t play out the way you portrayed it

 

[Jimc295]

I need to share a cautionary tale. Not a bad ending but my dealer did right by me. I own a Massy GC1705 Hydro trans, I used a transmission oil the was non OEM it did however advertised that their met the spec. I worked my tractor hard but in my opion did not abuse it. I did all the routine maintenance on time. My trans failed in 4yrs and 11 mos. My dealer did an oil analysis and told me the fluid did not meet spec but he did cover the repair under warranty. Sooo It is incumbent on you to ensure the oil claims are valid If my dealer wanted to he could deny the warranty because the oil I used was not up to spec.

 

[redmt]

Tractor manufacturers don't refine their own oil. They will rebrand it but don't make it. I've run literally thousands of gallons of Rotella in one form or another for many many years. I have NEVER had an oil related problem.

 

[ngzcaz]

How will a dealer know if you used their brand of oil? I mean, I’m not obligated to have them change it for me?

Does Kubota oil taste different than Rotella?

Not sure who makes TYM oil, but I use Rotella T6. If it’s good enough for my sport bikes, it’s good enough for the tractor.

Pretty sure it's illegal to deny claims if the product, in this case, oil, meets or exceeds factory specs.. Magnuson act ? I think that's the one to reference..

 

[Bearcat81]

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 Shell, Mobil, Phillips; and, now MFA semi-synthetic in all our diesel & gas engines, New Holland/Kubota/JD and Kohler = no problems, ever, so far. IMO they are all good quality well-engineered/formulated products. Make sure you follow the mfctr's specs for weight/API grade(s). Price matters, too but quality seems same to me.....just sayin'

 

[Brianczaw]

All this debating is going on; however, has anyone had a warranty claim actually denied?????

 

[jyoutz]

All this debating is going on; however, has anyone had a warranty claim actually denied?????

For that matter, has anyone had an oil failure related warranty claim?

 

[redmt]

All this debating is going on; however, has anyone had a warranty claim actually denied?????

Good question. We run all Cat and Case equipment, older Ford Powerstroke trucks and have never had a warranty claim. Cat equipment up to 9000 hours, Case to 6000 hours and 7.3 Powerstrokes to 400,000 miles. Good oil, good equipment = no engine or drivetrain problems.