From your profile, it looks like this tractor may be new to you? If yes, congratulations.
Nine months ago I didn't know Diesel motor oil existed. After spending some time at Bobistheoilguy.com, I now know barely more than when I started (not the fault of the website!), but....I came away with a few consenses of opinion (is consenses the plural of consensus or is it consensuses?).
First, apparently, Compact Tractor useage does not constitute heavy duty useage.
Second, at 100 hours per year, the oil will probably need to be changed once a year based mostly on 12 months having gone by rather than accumulation of hours.
I believe CH-4 and CG-4 are the current top ratings for diesel motor oil. With "First" and "Second" in mind, I was given to understand that any CH-4 or CG-4 oil would not be stressed too much by our tractors with a yearly oil change.
I use Delvac 1 in my diesel pick-up, but it is expensive, and possibly more oil than a compact utility tractor needs. John Deere is coming out with a 0w40 oil that is getting praise in the oil forums, but probably is a bit expensive. My next tractor oil change will probably be Citgo Syndurance, a very good oil and not too expensive, but you may have to find a Citgo outlet store to order it for you.
Rotella 5w40 synthetic is what is in my tractor now. Last change I used Rotella 15w40. The 5w40 has gone up in price a WalMart in the past couple months and some think it is not such a good value at current prices.
A couple of really good oils available at WalMart are, Delvac 1300 and Chevron Delo 400. I don't recall reading any bad comments about those two oils...and they are pretty cheap. The Rotella's are also at WalMart. I believe the consensus on the oil forum is the 5w40 is overpriced and the 15w40 is OK, but Rotella is riding on a reputation earned in years gone by and prehaps is not offering products that merit the label. What do I know?? Nothing!! Take it for what it's worth.
So, to answer your question, I would have you consider the Delvac 1300, the Delo 400, or Citgo's Syndurance as first choices. Followed by Rotella's 15w40.
There is some good discussion in several threads in this very forum that could help answer your question, too.
OkieG
