What weight oil do you use?

Spencer · Dec 27, 2003

I was at my dealers the other day and I wanted to pick up some oil but I could not remember what weight I had been using. I asked my salesman what weight he thought was appropriate and he said that I wanted to use 15W-40 in my TC33D. I went over to the isle where they keep the oil and the 15W-40 container just didn't look as familiar as the 10W-30. I went back over to my salesman and asked him if he was sure that I should be using the 15W-40 because the 10W-30 looked like the container that I had been using. He said that the 15W-40 is definately the best oil that I could be using in my diesel engine. When I got home I looked at my old container and sure enough I have been using 10W-30 all along (415 hours in two years). I got out owners manual ( <font color="red"> see attachment </font> ) and it shows that 10W-30 is good for temperatures from -10 to 120 and 15W-40 is good from 10 to 120. There is a note at the bottom of the chart that says that the tractor has 10W-30 in it when it is shipped from the factory. I'm sure seeing that it had 10W-30 in it from the factory along with the greater range of suitable operating temperatures is why I chose to continue using it two years ago when I got my tractor. I guess I should have asked my dealer or you guys long ago what to use. So what weight oils to you guys use in your New Hollands and why?

Von · Dec 27, 2003

I don't have a NH, but I do run ROTELLA 5W-40 full synthetic in my Kubota. It is not that much more than the ROTELLA 15W-40 Dino oil, and is made for cold starts! You might want to check it out for your NH.

JerryG · Dec 27, 2003

<font color="blue"> ROTELLA 5W-40 full synthetic </font>
Ditto

JJT · Dec 27, 2003

Conventional 15w-40, changed every 50 hours, (~ twice a year). I have a heated garge, so cold starts are not an issue. If I racked up the hours a little quicker, I'd be running synthetic, but I cannot see the value without taking advantage of the longer change intervals.

I do use synthetic in the new car and change every 5000, (~every 3 months).

Soundguy · Dec 28, 2003

For what its worth, my NH 1920 was rebuilt at the dealership, and I picked it up with 4 hours on the 'new' engine.. it had the NH 15/40 in it, and that was what i was told to use in it...And have been using the NH 15/40 ..I figure why quibble over a few bucks on the yearly oil change whan I'm at least getting manufacturer spec oil.. etc...My manual specifies it as well. If your manual specifies that 10/30 is ok for your tractor and that is what has been in it.. you should be good to go.

Soundguy

jwstewar · Dec 29, 2003

When I did the 50 hour change on my 24, I had the dealer send all of my filters back with the tractor (he had it to weld hooks on the bucket, readjust the loader so that it went off/on easier, and to replace the left front wheel) but I forgot to have him send the oil. I went to NAPA and purchased a brand called FuelMax 10W30, turns out it was made by Castrol. Haven't had any problems with it. Still have another gallon so will probably use that and then go back to NH 10W30 as I will pick it up when I pick the filters up.

rambler · Dec 29, 2003

Shell 15-40 in all 7 of my tractors, -20 to +101 degrees around here. I plug in the diesels when it's really cold. My 1720 mentions several different grades of oil for many different temp ranges, and even allows for different straight weights for extreme local conditions.

I suppose you have to stick with the manual for warrenty period, but do what makes sense for your climate. a 15-40 will be better when the engine is hot than a 10-30 is the trade-off for easier starts, but either works for the temp range.

--->Paul

RalphVa · Dec 30, 2003

Castrol doesn't "make" any of their oil. They buy and blend, using their own additives, typically about 20% of a multigrade, non-synthetic. They're probably still buying their base oil from Esso/Exxon worldwide. They were for the 31 years I worked for Exxon.

Ralph

TC33D · Mar 29, 2004

My manual says the same thing, "shipped with 10/30". I was also told that 10/30 was better for cold starts and 15/40 handled heat better. I went with Shell Rotella 5/40 synthetic to have the best of both. A diesel mechanic where I work recommended it. It does cost a little more ($12 something a gallon at Wally World)