Oil change time - what's recommended

[Musdalen]

I have a "new" tractor - actually now 55 hrs old I guess. It is time for an oil change. What is recommended for oil in these things? I've never had a diesel anything, so school me on what to look for in types of oil (and filters too).

I will have to review the owner's manual, but I am repulsed by comic books in general and this seems to be one. I'm sure, however, there is useful info in there that I will need to extract (like oil weight and volume etc.), but I am curious what others consider good engine oil maintenance considerations.

FWIW, the tractor is a JD 3039R. Location Iowa (winters are only semi-cold if it matters).

 

[newbury]

If you mean engine oil I'd go with your favorite brand of synthetic.
I use Rotella T6 5W-40.

 

[Musdalen]

Yes, I did mean engine oil.

Synthetics have been recommended by a friend, but I wonder if I have the life-expectancy to benefit from it. I am certainly going to investigate, however.

 

[frugalangler]

If you mean engine oil I'd go with your favorite brand of synthetic.
I use Rotella T6 5W-40.

+1 on Rotella, use it in my tractor and ALL my cars- they're all diesels LOL

 

[LouNY]

+1 on Rotella, use it in my tractor and ALL my cars- they're all diesels LOL

Make that +2
Also I don't know what you will find in your owners manual but,
I'm going to assume that it is a hydro, so you should have at least a filter, and most likely a fluid change
on the hydraulics and maybe a screen in the trans section.
With that being a JD without reading the manual that fluid most likely should meet or exceed the JD C specification.
Have fun

 

[oosik]

I use the oil that's manufactured for Kubota. No idea who makes it, but it seems to be as good as any other.

 

[jd870]

My 20 year old jd 870 i use 15w40 shell rotella conventional,my 2013 mf 1529 i use 10w30 shell rotella conventional.

 

[bigtiller]

My recommendation for a new tractor is to do what the owners manual tells you. And if a sentence or specification seams odd or contradictory, ask your Van Wall dealer there in Story City. Don Van Houweling has a knowledgeable team of people in all of their locations. I wouldn't shy away from the manual without my dealers recommendation first.

How has the 3039R worked out for you so far?

 

[Musdalen]

Yes, I can definitely go to the dealer, but often the same oil and filter could be much less expensive and as good or even better from another source. I'm just curious about what other people are doing.

As for my 3039R? I love it. I have 2-3x more time on the clock that I thought I would. I find all sorts of ways I can use it that I did not anticipate when I bought it and which I would never have done with the old 8N, either because it simply couldn't or it would be too much trouble to make it do it. Anyway, its been an awesome machine.

One factor that as added substantially to that awesomeness, btw, is the grapple. I didn't know such a thing even existed before I came to this website and started sniffing around about Kubotas vs JD vs the world. The grapple is, by a huge margin, my favorite attachment and I would sooner give up my FEL bucket than the grapple. I've been building fences lately. Woven wire. I use the grapple to clear the ground of logs, brush, roots, etc, and, of course, to build the brush piles to burn them.

Then I use it grab a dozen wooden posts, or a roll of wire, and slog it down to where ever it needs to be. I stretch the fencing with the tractor, drill the post holes, you name it, it does it. Plus all the normal mowing, disking, grading, and firewood chores. that I need on a regular basis.

So, in a nutshell, I couldn't be happier.

 

[nybirdman]

It never ceases to amaze me;some-one spends xxxx on a new tractor and looking to save a couple bucks on an oil/filter change(while still under warranty).I use mine probably more than most 150 hours per year;so at that rate is a service every two+ years.
Sorry just my take on it;do as you please.

 

[big bubba]

agree w/consensus, Rotella T6 5/40 syn.

for engine oil/hyd/fuel filters, i always stay with dealer OEM. save receipts on that, esp w/new under warranty. can't go wrong on that
if you go w/your own oil manu, just be sure it's rated for diesels. in your part of the country, i would feel more comfortable using the syn multi 5/40 vis rather than the conventional 15/40 for those cold, short runs in the winter. best

 

[Musdalen]

It never ceases to amaze me;some-one spends xxxx on a new tractor and looking to save a couple bucks on an oil/filter change(while still under warranty).I use mine probably more than most 150 hours per year;so at that rate is a service every two+ years.
Sorry just my take on it;do as you please.

The question really has nothing to do with costs to be honest. Just curiousity about what others think. The synthetic/nonsynthetic (dare I say, "natural") dichotomy is one interesting perspective. A friend with considerable experience with engines of many types and sizes suggests no synthetics until the second or third change to allow for better breaking in first.

BUT, I'm just as happy to provide some amazement for your day too.

Cheers!

 

[ericm979]

I use factory filters for most of my vehicles, even after the warranty's over. They usually cost about the same as aftermarket and I know that they actually meet the factory specs. I keep hearing about aftermarket filter that don't quite meet the specs for things like size of particles filtered or pressure relief valve trip point even though they're listed as compatible.

I think that in most cases break in has happened long before the first oil change. The only one I've noticed that hasn't was the transmission of my Yamaha FJ-09 which kept breaking in for about 3000 miles. First oil change in the service instructions was at 600.

I'm using synthetic oil for my highly tuned turbo cars and always for two strokes but a non turbo tractor engine is not highly stressed and does not have high temperture components. I'm using regular diesel oil in my Branson. Last change was with Delo 400 which was on sale. I'd have been happy with any name brand diesel oil that meets the spec. The factory spec oil change intervals are frequent enough that I don't feel the need for the extended life of synthetic oil. I'll probably change it annually which will be even shorter than the 300 hours Branson calls for. If I had a turbo tractor I'd consider synthetic as the turbo can cook the oil in the bearing and the higher temp oil helps that. Modern water cooled turbos reduce that problem but I'd consider it anyhow to be on the safe side.

Of course if it's still under warranty make sure the oil is the correct weight and rating per the manual.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Go to Deere and get their oil and filter. No way I'd be changing mine at 50. I like to leave the break in oil a little longer but mine doesn't call for a change till later. Can't go wrong with Deere products and contrary to most people's opinions the dealer is that much more expensive. Build a relationship with the parts counter and I routinely get 10-15% off everything I get right off the top

Brett

 

[DK35vince]

I been running Rotella T-6 synthetic 5w-40 since the first oil change (did my first change over to synthetic at 35 hours).
Been running the T-6 ever since, for the past 16 years

 

[Soundguy]

I think in an area that CAN get a bit com, I'd go with a 5w40 as well. I prefer the valvoline premium blue myself, but I dont think there is a C rated 5w40 syn you could go wrong with.

 

[tcreeley]

Do what the manual says- forget "opinions".

 

[countrybumpkin]

I have almost 500 hrs on mine and it's ready for another 100 hr oil change, I'm really looking at switching to the t6 5w40 from the conventional t4 15w40 unless anyone has any down side to switching.

 

[Soundguy]

If it meets the manufacturers specs and you can afford it... Go for it. Except in very rare cases, 5w40 synthetics are fine to replace 15w40 conventional oils.

 

[woodlandfarms]

The age old argument... My opinion, for what it is worth, is pick a plan and just stick with it. 99.99% sure that whatever goes wrong with your engine in the future will be unrelated to what type of oil you chose. Making sure it is rated for diesel, and changed within reasonable hours and care, and oil related failure will not be th issue. Will it wear quicker if you don't use factory synth??? No way to ever really know.

I personally use Mobile 1 in all my engines and Wycks brand of oil filters. Its a personal choice and I am sure someone somehwere will say it is a mistake. I change a bit less fequently as I have Synth running because supposedly it lasts longer. I do feel the one difference for my oil cooled Deutz Diesel is that I seem to run a bit cooler in engine oil temps. Other than originally running conventional, and then switching to synth and seeing a 7 degree drop is the only reason I base my decision on this. I did nothing more scientific than that and only type the observation as it is the reason I have stayed with Synth.