Amsoil vs. Delvac 1

ScottF · Jan 8, 2001

Well, Ive been reading the post on this forum for over a year now, just now decided to sign up and jump in!

Anyway, I've read most of the post regarding the synthetic vs. pet. oil debate and noticed very few people out there are using Mobile Delvac 1 - any reason why or why not? I can see that a lot of you guys like Amsoil - personally I've only used Mobil synthetic lubricants so I don't have any experience with Amsoil (not that available in S. Louisiana - except by internet)

This is my third Kubota in 4 years(kept trading up - long story) so I never got the previous two broken in enough to make the switch to synthetic. I had always assumed I would use Delvac 1 since I had such good luck with all the other Mobil synthetic products. Since I fully intend on keeping the the Kubota I now have I'll be making the switch to synthetic as soon as its broken in. You guys now have me researching Amsoil a little closer.

Any comments on practical experience on one vs. the other

Scott

Harv · Jan 8, 2001

Scott -

This is great -- I get to do a second welcome on the same evening. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Y'know, I just finished changing the hydraulic fluid in my L2500, and I was so focused on simply not screwing anything up I just went with the Kubota UDT stuff. Now I'm wondering if I didn't screw up after all by not using a synthetic. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

I'll be watching this thread to learn more about synthetics (in addition to the plentiful discussions already posted) to decide what to use next time.

In fact, maybe I'll sneak a question in here -- would I truly benefit from using a synthetic, being that I'm less than a weekend warrior in a mild climate (seldom below freezing)?

Anyway, glad you jumped in, Scott, and I, for one, am anxious to hear more about your 3 Kubotas in 4 years. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

ScottF · Jan 8, 2001

Harv,
Thanks for the reply and the welcome. To answer your question on benefiting from synthetics the answer is yes. Without going into too many technical details, synthetics are much more stable and hold their viscosity ratings much better in all temperature conditions. Synthetics also have a much better tolerance for maintaining lubricating properties in the presence of moisture (good for those of us who don't use our equipment everyday). Multi grade petroleum oils have to rely on viscosity enhancers much more than sythetics to maintain viscosity ratings, unfortunately these enhancers can break down prematurely if the oil is overheated or left in for excessive drain intervals. Now, I've said all this but I don't want to paint a bad picture for regular petroleum based oils. They will work just fine if changed often and not overheated.

About my three Kubotas in 4 years: Bought a 96' L2900 2wd on turf tires - mainly to cut grass. Quickly found out turf tires aren't worth doo-doo when trying to pull a 6' box blade. Decided to price R4 tires for the rear. After I had to pick myself up off the floor when I got the price I found out that I could by a new L2900 4wd on R4 tires for about $1500 more than buying just the rear tires alone, so now on tractor #2. After owning the 4wd L2900 for 3 years I decided I wanted to put a loader on it. Came across a 1 year old L3710HST w/681 loader for a steel - wasn't exactly what I originally set out for, but I couldn't pass it up - tractor #3. I sold the 4wd L2900 to my dad and traded the L3710HST in on a new L4310DT 4wd on R4 tires (kept the 681 loader and put it on the 4310). I still count this as tractor #3 since I worked the trade deal before I even took possession of the L3710. So, I now have a L4310DT 4wd w/loader that I intend on keeping or I'll end up in divorce court! See, told you it was a long story.

Scott

LarryT · Jan 9, 2001

Welcome aboard Scott. I see you've figured out that this can be a pretty influential and convincing group already. Like you, I'm looking for a source of Amsoil and I've never even heard of it till recently. I do run synthetic in my two new vechiles, Castrol. Only reason for Castrol is SAMS Club carries it. I've used Mobil One for years. I've always used Valvoline for regular oil. Guess I'll give Amsoil a shot.

Like you, I went through my first Kubota before it needed a 50 hour service, traded up to the B2910. Just did the 50 hour (well, 60 maybe). Put in plain old hyd oil per the Kubota dealer (he looked at me like I was stupid when I asked about UDT!). Guess I'll switch to Amsoil for the 100 hour service.

Larry...

Harv · Jan 9, 2001

Scott -

Wow, Dude! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

You started with a bigger tractor than I have now, and then worked your way up to a 4310? Man, those 5 acres don't stand a chance, do they? /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

BTW - I'm sending some brochures on the 'M' series to you, care of your wife. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Billc · Jan 9, 2001

Scott,

Welcome to the board.

I think the consensus is that one synthetic is about as good as the next. Amsoil is a great product and they invented the synthetic market...kind of like the saying "They were country when country wasn't cool." Another reason I like Amsoil is that when I had my questions I got a lot of good info by calling their 800 number. They have great customer service.

So you know, I switched my Dodge 3500 over to Amsoil last summer. All that's left is switching over the auto trannie fluid. My tractor, a M5400 (gear), is still on dino oil. Will switch it to Amsoil motor oil before spring but will continue to use UDT in the trannie.

Don't think you'll go wrong with whichever synthetic you use.

Bill Cook

Billc · Jan 9, 2001

Larry,
Before you switch to a synthetic you should wait until the 150 hour mark.

Bill Cook

heehaw · Jan 9, 2001

i've been using amsoil for a long time; i use their 800 number an have what i need pretty quick..i have seen it make a lot of difference in the temp of an engine, and a lot of difference in the simple things like the idle speed of a weed-eater..have had a couple mishaps, and am convinced that i would have been putting in new motors if i had been using regular pet oils...of course i'm easily convinced..
heehaw

ScottF · Jan 9, 2001

Thanks for the replies guys - I appreciate the info. I have to admit I've been impressed with all the info and knowledge on this board - it's been very helpful. I'll contact the Amsoil guys and get some more info. I am still somewhat surprised that very few people have commented on Mobile Delvac-1.

Harv,
Thanks, but I don't need any "help" with the M series info - I can find my way to the sofa all by myself! Actually I'm just kidding. My wife now wants a little Kubota of her own to cut grass - guess I can't complain.

Scott

putty340 · Feb 8, 2001

Scott, the way the oil diff. was explained to me was, you shouldnt use sinthetic on a new motor, because the oil has very slippery properties ,so much so that it doesnt bond to the metal like petrolium based oils( dino oils get absorbed into the metal better- they call it seasoning). The biggest problem being on start up. If you let your motor set for a long period of time it will actually rust the inside of the motor from not sticking to the metal. I have been using sinthetic oil in my motorcycles for 15 years , the transmission oil I change every other day,and on raceday twice a day, after many years of teardowns you do see that sinthetic oils are better. I use sinthetic in my motors that I use frequently, but I am going to judge if it is worth it on a motor/tranny that requires as much oil as my tractor. If it looks like I am on the fence about this your right! ,I change the oil in my machines frequently, and I think if you do too ,it doesnt justify the extra expence. The changing is 1000 times more important than the type. I dont know how much it will be to get sinthetic oil in my tractor yet, but if it is twice as much as regular dino oil I will use dino and change it twice as often.