Rotella UDT shelf life?

mtp318101 · May 11, 2008

I was @ Walmart and they had 5 gal buckets of Rotella Universal Tractor Fluid on sale @ $25 each. They had two, and I got them both. Now that I have them home I realize the fluid was manufactured in 2004-2005. Other than the "better safe than sorry" argument, any reason not to trust this 4 year old fluid in my Kubota 3130HST?

Thanks all!

mtp318101 · May 12, 2008

Ooops... I just realized thread title should have been "Rotella UTF shelf life?"

sixdogs · May 12, 2008

I've been waiting for someone else to answer but I guess no luck.
It wouldn't bother me in the least to use that fluid. It's better now than most of modern agriculture--outside of this board- --uses and should be fine.

Flatheadyoungin · May 12, 2008

some used stays longer in a tractor......

i may be way off, but it wouldn't bother me in the least...not a chemist, however

DieselPower · May 13, 2008

Depending on the lubricants manufacturer the average shelf life for all petroleum oil products range from 3 to 5 years. There are two main reasons. One is additive separation or dropout and the other is breakdown of oil due mainly to oxidation. If I'm not mistaken Shell list shelf life of oil as 3 years.

mtp318101 · May 15, 2008

Thanks to everyone for their input. It appears that this fluid is just outside of its recommended shelf life. However, the consistancey looks good & I know it has been stored properly for the last few years- albeit not in a "dark location" though.

I'm going to use it and see what happens. I think it'll be ok...