Change oil or run another season?

[mjonesnh]

Usually in October I change oil (Rotella 10W30) and filter, change fuel filter, change antifreeze every 2 -3years and give all the zerks a liberal shot of grease. In a normal year the hour total would average 50-60 hours since the last service in October of the prior year. This year due to our drought conditions the tractor only has accumulated 22 hours since the last service in Oct. 2011 as it's primary job is pulling a 5ft. Bushhog and has not done much of that this year. Owner manual calls for 100 hr. oil changes but I have been changing every season even though I had only 50-60 hours since last change. This year I am considering just leaving the oil and filters in place due to low hours used this year and only giving the tractor a good grease job. Anyone else running their oil for more than one year? Only issue I might see is from acids accumulated in oil as tractor does not get much use until spring after being put to sleep in late OCT. Tractor by the way is a TC34DA running ULSD fuel. Oil at 22 hours is still almost as clear as when put in.

 

[RobertBrown]

I think if it looks good than it's (engine oil) probably lubricating as it should. I would not go over a year on one oil change, but that's just me.
It sounds like you are greasing the zerks every 2 or 3 years?
I don't go more than a couple of months, but I've got a loader. Even without a loader I would grease more often than once a year, especially the front end.
My tractor is fairly similiar to yours.
Do you have a loader?

 

[BobRip]

Do your runs tend to be long, at least 45 minutes? Does it stay sheltered? If both of these are yes, you might consider it. I am not an expert in this, just things to consider.

 

[Cat_Driver]

I'm going over 15 years on my oil and antifreeze, and she still runs great Kubota. . Not a typo, the last oil change was 15 year or more ago. Not bragging just pointing out that people should not be so concerned about hours, years or mileage.

I went three years 50K plus miles with one oil change on a 1999 Ford Expedition. It was a Dealer Lemon so I swore I wasn't going to touch it for service as I knew they were going to take it back. They did take it back. It was a quart low after three years.

 

[mjonesnh]

I think if it looks good than it's (engine oil) probably lubricating as it should. I would not go over a year on one oil change, but that's just me.
It sounds like you are greasing the zerks every 2 or 3 years?
I don't go more than a couple of months, but I've got a loader. Even without a loader I would grease more often than once a year, especially the front end.
My tractor is fairly similiar to yours.
Do you have a loader?

All zerks are greased every 10-15 hours and yes it does have a loader. When I am doing the service in OCT. all zerks are greased one last time no matter if they were only greased 5 or 6 hours ago. Antifreeze is every 2-3 years depending on hours 100-150 usually.

 

[mjonesnh]

Do your runs tend to be long, at least 45 minutes? Does it stay sheltered? If both of these are yes, you might consider it. I am not an expert in this, just things to consider.

Runs usually average 4-5 hours unless I am puttering around house. Tractors stays in shed year round.

 

[LarryD]

I wouldn't throw away that oil/filter with only 22hrs. on it. I just stick to the schedule, give or take a few hours.

 

[TripleR]

I go by the maintenance recommendations in the manual as mentioned plus or minus a bit unless there is no reason to, like changing the air filter every year even if hours are low, no way. We have tractors made from the 50's to present day.

Some people are not comfortable doing this, so whatever makes you feel better.

 

[newbury]

When in doubt Blackstone it!
It does cost about $25 but will tell you the truth about the condition of your oil.

 

[Soundguy]

i hope that is a C rated oil.

just me.. but on a tractor with a small oil sump I never go more than a year on a change.

just ain't that much $$