10W30 Diesel Oil Recommendations?

Hysyde · Jun 8, 2019

While I'm pretty comfortable choosing a 15W40 diesel oil, and there is a lot of selection out there, there doesn't seem to be a lot of options for 10W30.

My questions are:

Do I have to stick with a 10W30? My 2 little tractors (Ford 1210 and a Kubota F2100) both call for it. Is there other suitable options?

What brand would you recommend for diesel 10W30? In the past I've ran no-name (Canadian Tire brand semi-synthetic), Kubota (which I think isa semi?) and Rotella T5 semi. I do not believe I've come across a full synthetic oil for 10W30 that wasn't super expensive. I don't usually go all out on lubricants and try to find the best value.

Thanks

wheelbuilder · Jun 8, 2019

I've used T5 and Chevron Delo XLE 10w30 in my old Sears, and liked the winter starting better with the T5. It was definitely easier to turn over. Because of that, I'm running it in my Bolens/Iseki diesel which sees snowblowing duty now.

AWSubie · Jun 8, 2019

I use amsoil 5w30

RickB · Jun 8, 2019

Kendall.

DMW · Jun 8, 2019

If you want to switch to 0W-40, CT in Ottawa South and Lietrem still have stock of Mobil 1 Delvac Synthetic Diesel Oil, 4-L Jug . Clearance price $35 with a ESSO gift card promotion of $6 per jug. They are switching packaging to 3.78, so getting rid of the old stock. I've used it for 12+_ years in my SCUT, great for winter start ups and hot summer weather. You won't find a better full synthetic for the price.

Hysyde · Jun 8, 2019

DMW said:
If you want to switch to 0W-40, CT in Ottawa South and Lietrem still have stock of Mobil 1 Delvac Synthetic Diesel Oil, 4-L Jug . Clearance price $35 with a ESSO gift card promotion of $6 per jug. They are switching packaging to 3.78, so getting rid of the old stock. I've used it for 12+_ years in my SCUT, great for winter start ups and hot summer weather. You won't find a better full synthetic for the price.

Sweet... may have to swing by there. Thanks.

Does your GC call for 10W30?

bfloyd4445 · Jun 8, 2019

semi syn gives one all the disadvantages of conventional oil with little or any improvement. conventional oils when hot quickly loose their ability to lubricate while syn will still be lubricating at very high and very low temps. Diluted synthetics advantages are watered down like mixing water in your beer.
I've been using synthetics for a lot of years and never ever had major mechanical failure even after running my old for 2000 diesel without any oil for a couple of acres of brush hogging. I had just changed the oil but forgot to tighten down the drain plug because of my neighbor filled her with oil then drove out to one of my pastures to begin blackberry control. I noticed the oil light but i paid no attention because i had just filled it like a dummy. Then i decided to see why the light was on and found the dipstick dry and no drain plug. I then proceeded to do another dumb thing and drove the tractor the half mile back to my shop. I replaced the plug with a new one filled it with oil then thinking my tractor was now ready for a tear down i started it up. She fired up no smoke sounded good so i went back to hoggin. That was 17 years ago and that old Ford still run perfect uses no oil and works hoggin every year. Another attribute of full syhn i had read about was that it bonds to the metal lubricating even when there is no oil and this old F 2000 is proof of that. Geez, that old girl is likely to still be working when i have moved on.
Back to oil. I like Amsoil marine D oils for my trucks and tractors. I have used Mobil 1 in cars but it appears to be thinner than i like for D engines. No one makes a syn 30wt so i have used the Ams 15/40 marine mostly.

DMW · Jun 8, 2019

Yes, manual says 10W-30. 3 cyl. Iseki diesel. Most major brand full synthetics seem to be 0W-40 or 5W-40 unless dealing with semi synthetics or boutique oils. The cold weather start up is noticeable. 0W oils are marketed more in Canada than the US.
Mobil Delvac 1™ ESP W-4

bfloyd4445 · Jun 8, 2019

DMW said:
Yes, manual says 10W-30. 3 cyl. Iseki diesel. Most major brand full synthetics seem to be 0W-40 or 5W-40 unless dealing with semi synthetics or boutique oils. The cold weather start up is noticeable. 0W oils are marketed more in Canada than the US.
Mobil Delvac 1™ ESP W-4

amsoil makes a 10-30, in fact they mnake more than one AMSOIL Synthetic Diesel Motor Oil, Engine Oil

DMW · Jun 8, 2019

I was just giving Hysyde a heads up to a sale at a local store. 1/2 the price of Amsoil.

I pulled out my owner's manual circa 2003, they list a variety of oil viscosity depending on temperature. Standard use oils have changed a lot since then.