Oil & Fuel Which oil?

[arksdad]

Just got a new T2310. The book says the tractor is shipped with 10w-30, which according to the owners manual is good for a temperature range of -10F to 120. However, the dealer says to use 15w-40, which has a range of +10F to 120. I live in NE Pa, so -10 is certainly possible. Any thoughts?

 

[bp fick]

With winter coming on, you'd be out the range, quite likely, of that 15w-40.
Cold, hard starts? Who needs it. I'd use 5w-X once the break-in period is done. If your tractor is new, might as well stay with what's in it right now. If it is time for an oil change, at this time of year, I'd pass on the 15w-40.

In any case, did you get a block heater on that new machine?

 

[arksdad]

No! Dealer told me they seldom use them.

 

[bp fick]

Well, if you read the guys here on TBN or live by the experience of others, you will hear how nice a block heater is. We too get below zero weather. I can't stand the way a diesel hammers when started cold. Gives me the willies!

I use one. Wouldn't think about living without one, frankly. In fact, I would have both the block heater and the fluid heater if it were a perfect world. I'll have to settle for the block heater on mine. BTW, I have 10w-30 in mine too.

 

[Ford850]

I'm in northern Ohio, and agree with bp Fick. My dealer gave similar advice as yours did, but he is used to dealing primarily with farmers using their tractors only 1% of the time during winter months. My use will be as much or more in the winter compared to summer, so those cold starts will have a bigger affect on the engines life IMO. I use 10w-30 oil and might change to the synthetic 5W-x next change. I enjoy the block heater and how the tractor is already warmed up and ready to work on those days 20 degrees and below. Yes I CAN start it on the coldest of days without the block heater but it makes a huge difference in the ease of start and warm up period.

 

[Hematite]

Just got a new T2310. The book says the tractor is shipped with 10w-30, which according to the owners manual is good for a temperature range of -10F to 120. However, the dealer says to use 15w-40, which has a range of +10F to 120. I live in NE Pa, so -10 is certainly possible. Any thoughts?

Yes, I have the same tractor. I have no intention of using a heavier oil than that which it was shipped with. There is no advantage in doing so, as shown in the factory temperature recommendations. Actually the advantage is to the 10W-30 oil for faster flow at cooler temperatures which are there every Spring and Fall even if the unit is not used in the Winter. If I was using it extensively in the Winter I would also have a block heater installed.

 

[HCb]

Just got a new T2310. The book says the tractor is shipped with 10w-30, which according to the owners manual is good for a temperature range of -10F to 120. However, the dealer says to use 15w-40, which has a range of +10F to 120. I live in NE Pa, so -10 is certainly possible. Any thoughts?

I'm not sure this will help but maybe:

I have a TC35A. I live in north central Texas which might sound hot (and it's warm compared to where you are) but currently it's not been over about 35 degrees F for most of the last 5 days (it's 19F now). I use Shell's Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 and have no problems with the tractor and I've put about 200 hours on it since it was bought used with 300 on it. I use the same oil for my 2002 Dodge 2500 with the Cummins engine, my 2006 Pontiac G6 V6, 1999 Trans Am, and my 2004 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100. The Dodge has had the oil since about 20,000 miles (now at over 150,000) with trips to MA in the winter, the T/A for the last 2 years, the G6 since the first oil change (it's now at almost 60k miles), and Honda since it's first oil change (now at almost 26k miles). No problems from any of the vehicles, tractor, auto, or motorcycle, whether hot weather (100+) or cold weather (<20). Not nearly as cold as you'll see there, so that may not help you.

FWIW.

--HC

 

[BarnStangz]

I'm not sure this will help but maybe:

I have a TC35A. I live in north central Texas which might sound hot (and it's warm compared to where you are) but currently it's not been over about 35 degrees F for most of the last 5 days (it's 19F now). I use Shell's Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 and have no problems with the tractor and I've put about 200 hours on it since it was bought used with 300 on it. I use the same oil for my 2002 Dodge 2500 with the Cummins engine, my 2006 Pontiac G6 V6, 1999 Trans Am, and my 2004 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100. The Dodge has had the oil since about 20,000 miles (now at over 150,000) with trips to MA in the winter, the T/A for the last 2 years, the G6 since the first oil change (it's now at almost 60k miles), and Honda since it's first oil change (now at almost 26k miles). No problems from any of the vehicles, tractor, auto, or motorcycle, whether hot weather (100+) or cold weather (<20). Not nearly as cold as you'll see there, so that may not help you.

FWIW.

--HC

I too use the Shell 5w40 for winter time in my TC34DA, my tractor is in my shop, not heated (yet ) but there is pretty good insulation there and I can tell the difference in the winter time cold starts with the 15w40 -vs- 5w40, So I run the 5w for the winter time...