What engine oil for a 2720?

jgayman · Jul 19, 2012

What engine oil are folks using in their 2x20 series tractors? I just got a 2720 and according to the manual the recommended engine oil would be JD Plus-50 5W-30. Most of my usage will be during the winter with only light duty during summer months. I do not mow or have a FEL.

I went to the dealer that I bought the tractor from and they do not stock 5W-30. I showed them the manual and they just shrugged their shoulders. I still don't quite understand why a dealer wouldn't stock the very oil the manual recommends. They had 5-6 other types on the shelves.

So before I do a hard target search for 5W-30 I thought I would check for the consensus on oil recommendations.

Thanks!

Runner · Jul 19, 2012

I had the exact same experience. Asked for the recommended oil and they looked at me like I was from outer space. Said we always use 10w-40. I use Shell Rotella T 10w-30.

KennyG · Jul 19, 2012

I'll jump on the bandwagon. My 2320 engine is different than the 2720 but the manual says to use 5w30 or 10w30. When I took it in for the 50 hours service, the dealer put in 15w40. I'm continuing to use synthetic diesel 15w40 and so far, so good.

ctlguy · Jul 19, 2012

15W40 or similar diesel rated oil works well. Keep in mind the same op manual printed for tractor delivered to alaska is the same book that goes to a machine in texas so there will be some generalization on the oils.

jgayman · Jul 19, 2012

Yes, I understand that. But the manual for the 2720 recommends two different oils. 5W-30 for -22F to 96F and 10W-30 for 20F to 104F. So clearly the Texas owner would probably choose 10W-30 while someone like myself who lives in the Northeast would want the 5W-30. Needless to say we can get below 20F for a good portion of the winter months. It's just odd that the dealer does not stock the oil that best suits our climate.

Gator6x4 · Jul 19, 2012

jgayman said:
Yes, I understand that. But the manual for the 2720 recommends two different oils. 5W-30 for -22F to 96F and 10W-30 for 20F to 104F. So clearly the Texas owner would probably choose 10W-30 while someone like myself who lives in the Northeast would want the 5W-30. Needless to say we can get below 20F for a good portion of the winter months. It's just odd that the dealer does not stock the oil that best suits our climate.

Most dealers do not stock oil. They cannot compete with Auto Parts Houses and Wally World. Most of us who change our own oil purchase the filters from the dealer and the oil from Wal-Mart(Wally World). I use Shell Roitella T6 http://www-static.shell.com/static/...ts_services/lubricants/rotella/rotella_t6.pdf it is 5-40 and synthetic in everything I have that is diesel and Mobil 1 10-30 in gas equipment except the GM stuff it takes Mobil 1 5-30.

chevy · Jul 19, 2012

jgayman said:
Yes, I understand that. But the manual for the 2720 recommends two different oils. 5W-30 for -22F to 96F and 10W-30 for 20F to 104F. So clearly the Texas owner would probably choose 10W-30 while someone like myself who lives in the Northeast would want the 5W-30. Needless to say we can get below 20F for a good portion of the winter months. It's just odd that the dealer does not stock the oil that best suits our climate.

I use 15W-40 in all of my diesels. Trucks & tractors. The 2720 is the first John Deere tractor that I have owned, that did not list 15W-40 as an option. Even my 1026R, that I purchased after the 2720, lists 15W-40 as an option.

XSKIER · Jul 19, 2012

I use plus-50 at 15W-40 in temperatures from 8*F to 98*F. My 3TNV76 hasn't melted down yet, but from the looks of my manual, you can not possibly screw up the oil viscosity.

tomd999 · Jul 19, 2012

Hiya,

I use 5-30 Amsoil Series 3000 in all my Diesel equipment. That includes tractors, pickups, over the road semi-tractors and generators. It ran very well in my 2520 and currently my 3320. I noticed easier cranking when cold, less noise and reduced temps when hot. Is it cheap? Not really, however, I have documented figures that reflect less fuel consumption per hour of run time or an MPG increase in every case. The 5-30 shouldn't scare you away even if you were opperating in Death Valley temps. Engines are built with tighter clearances nowdays and the 5-30 will allow them to waste less energy plowing through thick oil as it runs.

I should also note that no matter what oil you use, you have to use high quality filters and if you choose to have extended drain intervals, get in touch with a good anaylist and sample the oil at the factory drain specs. I have several engines running on oil that is well past 10x the factory drain schedule however it still tests good so it stays in, when your dealing with the big sumps in large engines, oil changes are costly.

My 2 cents,
Tom