RNeumann
Elite Member
One of the ways new car and truck manufacturers have been chasing HP and MPG is with thinner oils. Because the machining tolerances have tightened the engines can be built with less “room” between surfaces (like a bearing and crank). With less room you need thinner oil. The thinner oil has less friction and resistance which helps with HP and MPG.
Knowing that, let’s look at these little tractors. The manufacturers want little to do with what is mentioned above. These engines need to work in the desert, jungle and arctic. In wet, dry or dusty conditions. They must also be “universal” enough that some remote village in some third world country will have an oil that will work.
So running the latest thin oil, designed for your modern truck, isn’t going to help. In fact it will probably harm your little tractor.
Plus the days of engine failure, as the result of poor lube, are largely a thing of the past. Pulling a modern engine to find belled cylinders to the point of smoking or flattened cam shafts are abnormal. Seems most engines are overhauled these days from cracks, warped heads and or cylinder head leaks and broken internal parts.
So run out and buy that oil that is twice the cost and or half the viscosity. But remember two things- oil companies have spent millions to convince you the most expensive oil is needed. Some dude or dude-et in some far away place just changed the oil on their tractor and is doing just fine.......the engine was designed work that way!
Knowing that, let’s look at these little tractors. The manufacturers want little to do with what is mentioned above. These engines need to work in the desert, jungle and arctic. In wet, dry or dusty conditions. They must also be “universal” enough that some remote village in some third world country will have an oil that will work.
So running the latest thin oil, designed for your modern truck, isn’t going to help. In fact it will probably harm your little tractor.
Plus the days of engine failure, as the result of poor lube, are largely a thing of the past. Pulling a modern engine to find belled cylinders to the point of smoking or flattened cam shafts are abnormal. Seems most engines are overhauled these days from cracks, warped heads and or cylinder head leaks and broken internal parts.
So run out and buy that oil that is twice the cost and or half the viscosity. But remember two things- oil companies have spent millions to convince you the most expensive oil is needed. Some dude or dude-et in some far away place just changed the oil on their tractor and is doing just fine.......the engine was designed work that way!
:laughing:
