Oil & Fuel Oil Type for your Kubota........

[ihookem]

Dino oil has petty much gone the way of leaded gas, and this is why. Amsoil.com/testimonials409000.aspx and see for yourself. So you guys changing synthetics every 7,000 miles are wasting your money. I know a guy with a Ford Diesel that has 70k mi. on his oil and the analysis comes back good. He also puts on an amsoil filter once a year that cost 30 bucks, but still totally remarkable!

 

[milkman]

Dino oil has petty much gone the way of leaded gas, and this is why. Amsoil.com/testimonials409000.aspx and see for yourself. So you guys changing synthetics every 7,000 miles are wasting your money. I know a guy with a Ford Diesel that has 70k mi. on his oil and the analysis comes back good. He also puts on an amsoil filter once a year that cost 30 bucks, but still totally remarkable!

My sentiments exactly, I can't see the benefit of using synthetic if you don't extend the change interval. I think Honda recommends 7500 mi. oil change on my '95 Odyssey, but the quick change places shout 3000 mi. intervals, throwing good oil down the drain. I use Mobile 1, 5K mi. filter change w/ 20K mi. oil change 240,000 mi. and no engine problems or oil leaks. I also use the JUNK Fram oil filters.

 

[DiezNutz]

My sentiments exactly, I can't see the benefit of using synthetic if you don't extend the change interval

Most of the benefit will be realized by a turbo'd or high-perf engine. Even there, driving habits play a big part. If you let the engine idle for a minute or so before you shut it off (like you're supposed to but most folks don't), you can even avoid the coking problems with dino oil.

 

[rdam]

I'm gonna answer my own question. It looks like Mobil 1, and Amsoil both make an API rated synthetic 10W-30 rated for our Kubota engines. One of those will go in at the 100 hour mark.

 

[DiezNutz]

I'm gonna answer my own question. It looks like Mobil 1, and Amsoil both make an API rated synthetic 10W-30 rated for our Kubota engines. One of those will go in at the 100 hour mark.

Maybe I missed it, but I don't see a Mobil1 10W30 with a service higher than CF for diesels. Given the ULSD nowadays, that isn't a particularly great choice... you should look for CI-4 or CI-4 PLUS. Amsoil's HD Diesel oil meets this, as does Rotella T 5W-40. Mobil1 does have a CI-4 5W-40.

 

[rdam]

Maybe I missed it, but I don't see a Mobil1 10W30 with a service higher than CF for diesels. Given the ULSD nowadays, that isn't a particularly great choice... you should look for CI-4 or CI-4 PLUS. Amsoil's HD Diesel oil meets this, as does Rotella T 5W-40. Mobil1 does have a CI-4 5W-40.

The Mobile 1 says "CF or CD" (see description below). I am not familiar with the true meaning of these designators, but the Kubota owners manual calls for "CD, CE, or CF"...There's nothing about a "CI" in there. However, the Amsoil specifically states "CF", in addition to "CI-4+", so maybe the Amsoil is a better choice. I have yet to use ANY Amsoil products, but have heard nothing but good things about them.

"Mobil 1 10W-30 exceeds warranty requirements for gasoline engines where an API certified oil is specified. It meets:

ILSAC GF-4 (API Certified - Starburst)

API SM/SL

GM 6094M/GM4718M

Requirements for Diesel Powered Vehicles where an API CF or API CD is Recommended

ACEA A1/A5, B1/B5

Mobil 1 10W-30 is recommended for all types of modern vehicles, including high-performance turbo-charged, supercharged gasoline and multi-valve fuel injected engines found in passenger cars, SUVs, light vans and trucks.

Mobil 1 10W-30 is general purpose engine oil for all types of vehicles where a 10W-30 viscosity is recommended.

Mobil 1 is not recommended for 2-cycle or aviation engines, unless specifically approved by the manufacturer.

For more information, see the Mobil 1 10W-30 Product Data Sheet. "

 

[DiezNutz]

Earlier in this thread (7/28) I posted a link to the API classification guide... if you want to know what the letters mean, you should consider looking at it. The reason CI-4 isn't in your manual is most likely because it wasn't current when your manual was written (my manual lists no newer than CG-4). The simple answer as to why CF is not so great anymore is you can no longer buy the fuel that it was designed to be compatible with. When I see non-current or older C service designations on a bottle of motor oil, it tells me that the oil is somewhat generic to and not especially formulated for diesels. Most oils that are, are fairly clear about it. Between the two, yes I think the Amsoil is better.

 

[DieselPower]

Actually there are quite a few quality lubricants manufacturers that still make earlier API "C" engine oils. They are mainly for the tractor and off road equipment market. One of the main differences is that the earlier spec oils will tend to have higher levels of additives that have reduced limits in the later spec oils. ZDDP (zinc) is one that is usually much higher in early spec oils. The newer spec oils must be able to be used in more modern OTR engines with EGR systems and most recently DPF systems. The good old additives are not so emmisions friendly. If you go through the API Engine Oil Licensee Directory you will find numerous oils that are still being licensed with early spec's.

I'm not sure if this is the link you were talking about but it is the most current API spec's. http://www.apicj-4.org/EngineOilGuide2006.pdf

Here's the API's page on the new CJ-4 oils and a basic overview. CJ-4 WEBSITE

 

[DiezNutz]

Yes that's the same link. The newer C categories also usually include (most, not all) of the older ones. As the guide shows, CF is the last of the "old" holdouts and I suspect the only reason it's still around is a placeholder for some motor oils that aren't primarily designed as diesel motor oils, but happen to meet it. CF seems to be plastered on the bottle of many oils we think of as non-diesel S types, whereas the true "diesel" motor oils we all know and love track the newer categories. Although, still haven't seen any CJ-4's yet among my favorites, just CI-4+.
I expect CF to go bye-bye real soon just like the 500ppm sulfur fuel has.

 

[dannylink]

I am new at the tractor thing but when I changed the oil in my L3400 I went to walmart and bought Penns Oil for diesel engines (15W40) and a Frame oil filter and did the job.

Did I mess up big time with what I did?