oil and oil filter

viking65 · Sep 13, 2005

I have not used my 5234D in a couple of weeks and when I went out to start it today I was thinking about how all the oil has surely drained down into the pan and all the friction there would be when I start it up. After I completed the little bit of mowing I had to do today (most of my lawn has turned brown) I bought a gallon of Rotella T Synthetic 5w40 ($13.42 at Wal-Mart) and a filter ($17.00 at the Cub dealer) and changed the oil.

I found out later the local JD dealer has the filter for $15.00. Imagine saving a couple of bucks at the JD dealer! The JD part number for the oil filter is 2B820314.

Anyway, I hope my switch to synthetic will keep the internals lubed up during long spells of inactivety.

Rhoderman · Sep 13, 2005

I think you can get the filters at Napa for a lot cheaper than that even. Still, it is kind of surprising that JD was cheaper. Too bad they don't sell the hydraulic fluid for the hydrostat...

If your tractor is out of warranty, I wouldn't worry too much about the oil, but if it's still under warranty, they may throw a fit since the Kohler owner's manual states to use 10W-30, or 5W-20 or 5W-30 in colder climates. Nowhere do they say anything about 5W-40, although I would think it would perform very well. They do say that the synthetic is better for starting in extreme cold conditions. If you have the Kawi engine, I would suggest downloading the owner's manual for that and see what they have to say.

In the manual, there is also a statement that you should run dino oil for at least 50 hours before switching to synthetic. Hopefully you're past 50.

Synthetic oil will probably drain back as fast if not faster than dino oil. Hopefully it will leave enough behind to help on startups. No matter what oil you use, run a no-load idle speed until the engine has warmed up a little before you throw on the PTO and blast out across the yard!

Take Care, and happy mowing (in the spots that are still green at least!).

viking65 · Sep 13, 2005

The 5234D has the Diahatsu 3 cylinder diesel engine. Rotella T Synthetic is supposed to be a very good diesel engine oil with a CI-4 plus API rating (considering switching to Rotella Synthetic or Mobil Delvac 1 Syn. in my Duramax when I get a few more miles on the clock). Meets or exceeds the requirements of MF, JD, AGCO, Case, Caterpillar, Komatsu, NH, GM, Ford and on and on... I have 90 hours on the engine so I hope everything has worn in well enough by now.

strokerduster · Sep 13, 2005

NAPA's (wix) #1394 @ 6.00

DmansPadge · Sep 13, 2005

Viking... that is expensive for an oil filter. I use all WIX filters and I consider them to be one of the best manufacturors in the business. The previous poster posted a Napa #.... you can also go to WIX Filters home page and use the filter guide to get a WIX # if you wish. It probably won't be cheap... but it'll be cheaper than $17 and perform as good or better.

viking65 · Sep 13, 2005

( Viking... that is expensive for an oil filter. I use all WIX filters and I consider them to be one of the best manufacturors in the business. The previous poster posted a Napa #.... you can also go to WIX Filters home page and use the filter guide to get a WIX # if you wish. It probably won't be cheap... but it'll be cheaper than $17 and perform as good or better. )

Thanks Stroker and DmansPadge for the info. I know $17 is pretty high. I just paid $10 for a Wix oil filter for my Chevy Duramax. I try to be very careful when a piece of equipment is under warranty. I double checked with the service manager at my Chevy dealer about the Wix filter just to make sure there would be no warranty problems using the Wix filter on my truck. He said no problem at all...I'm just a little paranoid about manufacturers looking for any possible way at all to void a warranty.

Mickey_Fx · Sep 14, 2005

( ... I bought a gallon of Rotella T Synthetic 5w40 ($13.42 at Wal-Mart) Anyway, I hope my switch to synthetic will keep the internals lubed up during long spells of inactivety. )

I'm I reading this correct, you paid $13 for a GAL of synthetic oil?