Oil Commonality

[UKSmallholder]

Hi TBN,

I have a Kubota ST30 and Land Rover Defender 110 TD5 (2001), and I was hoping some of the community here might be able to give me some advice on oil compatibility as I am hoping to bulk buy (barrels of) oils in order to save some money!

The Kubota oil recommendations are at the top half of this table, and the Defender recommendations at the bottom:

My initial research suggests:

Engine Oil
Kubota can cope just fine with 5W30, so I should just go for that.

Axles and Transfer Gearbox
Use a SAE 80W-90EP for Kubota axles and steering box, and Defender axles and transfer gearbox.

Transmission/Hydraulics
Use a good 'Universal Tractor Transmission Oil' exclusively for Kubota.

Main Gearbox
Use MTF 94 exclusively for Defender main gearbox.

This would give me commonality for 2x oils that I need to regularly purchase of the next few years (hopefully many). What are everyone's thoughts? Am I being too cautious and I could achieve more commonality with little risk of excessive wear? Or is this going to end up being more expensive than it is worth?

 

[1stDeuce]

I'll bite... I think you're trying too hard to save a tiny bit of coin...

I used to buy Rotella in 5 gal buckets, as an oil change was 2 gallons at least, but it got cheaper to buy the 2.5 gal containers. Now I can hardly find those, and the 1 gallon containers are even cheaper. (Evidently buckets are expensive...??) I'd worry that a drum of oil is probably going to breathe some, and will collect moisture as it sits, which is not so good.

I'd also recommend going heavier on the engine oil weight, since both are diesel. 5W40 would be my choice in synthetic, or 15W40 in conventional. (I run half and half normally in my diesels...) 5W30 is thinner than most diesels would like, though I know many mfg's are suggesting lower weight oils to help gas mileage on short trips. I believe they do so at the expense of engine wear...

Good Luck!

 

[frugalangler]

It appears your approach is valid, my only curiosity is what is MTF-94, could it be substituted by something else, is that a EU spec auto trans fluid? Otherwise, I think your strategy is sound.

 

[UKSmallholder]

Deuce, I think you're right on your point on risk of water collecting in barrels - i just need to ensure i don't overbuy either...

Many thanks for the replies, they are very helpful and give me some confidence that I am overthinking the overwhelming quantity of information on oils and lubes to be found on the internet and I have an easy solution to save some money over the life of the machines (which I hope to be very long!).

 

[drizler]

Deuce, I think you're right on your point on risk of water collecting in barrels - i just need to ensure i don't overbuy either...

Many thanks for the replies, they are very helpful and give me some confidence that I am overthinking the overwhelming quantity of information on oils and lubes to be found on the internet and I have an easy solution to save some money over the life of the machines (which I hope to be very long!).

PQIA Quality Reports | The Petroleum Quality Institute of America

Head on in here and start digging. Much of its well over our heads but sure does show a lot of technical information. Much of its on graphs showing recommended amounts and how each tests out to meet required specs. They do tranny oils and coolants as well.

 

[RalphVa]

Hi TBN,

I have a Kubota ST30 and Land Rover Defender 110 TD5 (2001), and I was hoping some of the community here might be able to give me some advice on oil compatibility as I am hoping to bulk buy (barrels of) oils in order to save some money!

The Kubota oil recommendations are at the top half of this table, and the Defender recommendations at the bottom:

My initial research suggests:

Engine Oil
Kubota can cope just fine with 5W30, so I should just go for that. AGREE. 5W30 IS ALL I USE IN MY TRACTOR AND DIESEL GENERATOR AND ALL I USED FOR 70K MILES IN VW TDI

Axles and Transfer Gearbox
Use a SAE 80W-90EP for Kubota axles and steering box, and Defender axles and transfer gearbox. THIS IS GL4. The 80w is within the MTF 94 range.

Transmission/Hydraulics
Use a good 'Universal Tractor Transmission Oil' exclusively for Kubota. I'D GO WITH WHAT THEY SAY. VERY HIGH PRESSURES, ETC.

Main Gearbox
Use MTF 94 exclusively for Defender main gearbox. ACCORDING TO TEXACO, THIS IS API GL4 75-80W, which is about like 20W engine oil.


This would give me commonality for 2x oils that I need to regularly purchase of the next few years (hopefully many). What are everyone's thoughts? Am I being too cautious and I could achieve more commonality with little risk of excessive wear? Or is this going to end up being more expensive than it is worth?

See my notes above.

 

[marchanna]

0W30, 5W30, 10W30, 0W40, 5W40, 10W40 are all acceptable motor oil grades for both vehicles and for your climate. 75w90 and 80w90 gear oils are also interchangeable in moderate climates. Basically, the first number is the low temp viscosity rating, and the second number is the viscosity rating at operating temperature. The second number is the most important number. The first number needs to be low for cold climates.