13 hours on a one year oil change

[General Lee]

Pitiful I know. My tractor use comes in spurts depending on time of year. Unfortunately, there is only 13 hours of use since my oil change a year ago. Should I change the oil, based on the one year and not the hours? It still is golden yellow

 

[WilliamBos]

Pitiful I know. My tractor use comes in spurts depending on time of year. Unfortunately, there is only 13 hours of use since my oil change a year ago. Should I change the oil, based on the one year and not the hours? It still is golden yellow

I would, cheap insurance. When you so use it, is it for an hour or more? The hydro fluid may need to be changed based on time, not hours. Could have a condensation build up.

 

[General Lee]

Most times its for an hour or more, not every time though. Condensation where? the oil crankcase or the Hydro crankcase?

 

[Bluegill2]

Yes, I'd change engine oil yearly, no matter the hours.

Trans oil I go by hours.

 

[WilliamBos]

As long as you run it an hour at a tume, the hst oil will be fine. Short runs can contribute to condensation build up.

 

[dex3361]

Both the hydro and the engine oil will draw moisture. The hydro oil will absorb a considerable amount of moisture but the engine oil also builds up acids. The oil could be fine and you could do a oil analysis to see if it needs changed but that would likely cost as much as an engine oil change. I would change the hydro by the hours and maybe do a crackle test on a hot plate to see if has drawn excessive moisture.

 

[kuboman]

Do you run it throughout the year or does it sit for long periods. If you run it all year than I would not worry about the oil. Change it if it sits for months at a time.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

The one-year oil change recommendation is based on the fact that the additives lose their beneficial properties over time whether the engine is running or not. The base oil is stable and will stay the same, but running it will be more like running non-detergent oil.

 

[IslandTractor]

I wouldn't change it until just before you put it away this fall. 13 hours is such a small time that the oil is essentially new. Just a waste to change it. When is the last time an engine failed due to a tiny exposure to acid? That is essentially a hypothetical concern IMO and not worth wasting perfectly serviceable oil over.

 

[kuboman]

The one-year oil change recommendation is based on the fact that the additives lose their beneficial properties over time whether the engine is running or not. The base oil is stable and will stay the same, but running it will be more like running non-detergent oil.

So your saying that you should not store oil for more than a year.:confused3: