Oil & Fuel 300 Hours on Engine Oil?

[Olympus]

Anyone else changing their engine oil every 300 hours? That’s what my manual says, but I’ve always changed every 100 hours on previous tractors. Am I just wasting money changing my oil every 100 hours? I don’t do a lot of serious work with mine, no harsh or rough conditions. I rarely need to run it over 1500rpms even.

 

[tomplum]

I think the manual shows 250 hours. Oil changes should be done somewhat close to annually in my belief. For 30$ in supplies annually (ish) regardless of hours not to exceed 250, and probably better done@ 100. I'm far from being a qualified diesel tech, though my thoughts are it could use some higher RPM run time as well.

 

[BotaTrac]

Anyone else changing their engine oil every 300 hours? That’s what my manual says, but I’ve always changed every 100 hours on previous tractors. Am I just wasting money changing my oil every 100 hours? I don’t do a lot of serious work with mine, no harsh or rough conditions. I rarely need to run it over 1500rpms even.

Oil and a filter is cheap compared to engine wear. Here's my 02 cents.......

Oil from a Deisel engine is under much more stress than your car. And even though the oil manufacturers claim to put in additives to improve performance in Diesel engines, the filter, even a good filter - can only take so much contamination before the bypass opens up. I change oil and filter every 100 hours or as close to it as possible. Here's a quick tech tip for what it's worth:

I've found that by keeping the supplies always on hand, Instead making a special trip when it's ready for the change - helps tremendously. I'm a fanatic about my stuff. I put a high value on keeping my equipment looking good and running good. Good luck and Godspeed.......

Catch my YouTube Channel at BotaTrac
- YouTube
I'd be honored if you subscribe because you like what you see. Thanks a million!......BotaTrac Out!

 

[downs807]

I change my annually as I only put a little over 100hrs a year on mine. I would change at a minimum once a year if your not hurting that 300hr mark.

Also as others said more RPM’s is better for these new Diesel engines.

 

[Olympus]

My manual says every 300, not 250. And my engine is pre-Tier 4. It’s just a good ole 4 cylinder diesel. No Tier 4 junk and no turbo.

 

[YLee Kioti]

All good points made here and just one more for consideration.

Condensation builds in the crankcase. So acids build up and corrosion process will slowly work on internal components.

Years ago I read that it takes a vehicle 18 miles of driving to warm up the oil enough to remove all condensates. Therefore short in town runs are harder on an engine.
So I'm thinking the same for our diesels.
But instead of worrying about the hours to run and keep oil acid free, the annual ritual of oil and filter change is rather cheap insurance.

 

[ovrszd]

In regards to YLee's comments. My tractors used to live in a climate controlled shop building. I changed oil based on hours. Now they live in a non controlled machine shed. I change oil at a minimum of once per year. My concern is the condensation mentioned above.

 

[Olympus]

My shop is climate controlled also. So I’m not concerned about condensation.

 

[jdom84]

You will have to come up with what works best for you. Once a year isn't a bad option, every spring or winter. You can do the oil change and check over the entire machine before the next seasons starts.

these questions are like asking for the winning lottery numbers...

 

[fried1765]

My shop is climate controlled also. So I知 not concerned about condensation.

My building is not climate controlled.
My tractors are old, (67yrs. 48 yrs. 29 years) but, are in excellent condition, and have very few hours.
My tractors get maybe 10 hours use each, per year.( the 8N most years gets no use).
I am old (77) and I am wearing out. There is no way to change my oil.
I change tractor oil when I think it might be a good idea, but not every year.
I have absolutely no doubt that my tractors will continue to lead a healthy life, long after I am gone.

 

[Olympus]

Let’s just forget about the year thing and stick to the question of hours. My manual says every 300 hours which seems overly long to me when most other manufacturers say every 100. But if that’s in the manual, that must mean it’s safe, right?

 

[jdom84]

Let痴 just forget about the year thing and stick to the question of hours. My manual says every 300 hours which seems overly long to me when most other manufacturers say every 100. But if that痴 in the manual, that must mean it痴 safe, right?

haha... you hope. you would think they have your best interest in mind right? the XJ with its mitsubishi s3l2 says 250 hours

the Ram Cummins can go 15k miles between changes on non synthetic oil... does anyone actually know whats what anymore?....

 

[ovrszd]

I think it's popular in the manufacturing world now to tout long service intervals. All about cheap cost of operation. A lot of new cars/trucks have a computer system to tell you when to change. Friend of mine's wife ran her car 23K miles before the computer said to change it. The verdict of whether that's logical or not is above my pay grade.

I don't think you can discard the time thing. For example, a business use tractor could clock 300hrs in 6 weeks. Or as "Fried" said he puts on 10hrs per year. Which tractor should adhere to the clock hours? Even if Fried changes at 100hrs it will take him 10 yrs to clock that time. Is it okay for him to only change his oil every 10 yrs? Or in the sense of the business machine with an owner that thinks he needs to change every 100hrs, he's changing every 14 days. Which is most logical/illogical??

If you are putting your hours on steadily and relatively quickly, stretch the hours a bit. If not, compress the schedule.

Not sure if I ever heard you say how many hours per year you clock on your tractor?

 

[Olympus]

I don’t know that I’ve ever figured how many hours I put on in a year. I put 200 on my first new tractor in 3 years, but that was a little J2023 so it was mostly a yard machine. Now I’ve upgraded to an R3039 and I’m putting in food plots and stuff with it. I’ve only had it 6 months or so.

 

[Peter 315]

My kubota is oil and filter every 200hours So that's what I do No problems yet

 

[ovrszd]

I don’t know that I’ve ever figured how many hours I put on in a year. I put 200 on my first new tractor in 3 years, but that was a little J2023 so it was mostly a yard machine. Now I’ve upgraded to an R3039 and I’m putting in food plots and stuff with it. I’ve only had it 6 months or so.

So it might be logical to assume 100hrs per year on the high side?? If so, I'd certainly not wait 3 years to change the oil.

You've had it thru a Fall season maintaining food plots, and a Winter season if it is going to get any of that work. How many hours have you clocked so far?

 

[Turbys_1700]

My Workmaster has scheduled oil change intervals at 600 and the 4610 SU is at 300. I just do them both at the beginning of the year at the same time. Put the hours and date on the filter. Easier for me to remember. The cost is not that great. Plus even with my arthritis I actually enjoy giving my tractors a once over checking things out. It is cheaper and more pleasant than a psychiatrist.

 

[jaydee325]

Under the Long Term Storage heading in the owners manual for my R3039:

- Check the lubricant capacity of each part and if the engine oil has exceeded 100 hours of work, change the oil and run the engine for 5 minutes at idle rpm.

 

[Rustyiron]

I’ve only had it 6 months or so.

6 months from being brand new? Yes, iirc they have a 50 hr. "break in" oil change.
If not, your 100 hr interval is not unreasonable and it seem's like you'll sleep better :thumbsup: Just do it!

 

[ovrszd]

6 months from being brand new? Yes, iirc they have a 50 hr. "break in" oil change.
If not, your 100 hr interval is not unreasonable and it seem's like you'll sleep better :thumbsup: Just do it!

By his signature the tractor is 5 years old.