Engine oil for L4330 Kubato

teddydo · Oct 7, 2004

I took the manual for my Kabuto to Advance Auto parts to get oil for my new L4330 and did not find any oil that meet all the ratings (or reqirrements?) for my 50 hour service. The people are very nice but just did not know how to advise me, even sugested going with Kabuto oil. I did not want to use Kabuto oil simply because I so not know who makes oil for them. I really wanted to use Mobile 1 or Castrol Senthic but I am not sure if it meets the requirements for my tractor. My knowledge is limited on oil but on a new expensive machine I want the best. It will be used mostly for mowing and loader work in a light fashion in a fairly clean enviorment. I thank you in advance for sharng your knowledge with me......Teddydo

KennyV · Oct 7, 2004

I use Mobil’s Delvac 1 Synthetic engine oil see at http://www.superiorpetroleum.com/html/delvac_1.html
Or just check at the mobil1 site. It is in all my diesel engines. KennyV.

cp1969 · Oct 7, 2004

What do you mean, you couldn't find oil that met all of Kubota's ratings? Any good 15w-40 CH-4 or CI-4 oil will be fine. If you're looking for CD (such as my L3000 manual calls for), forget it. That's an obsolete rating; the good news is that the newer ratings are 'backward compatible' (to use a software phrase).

Finding 10w-30 diesel oil is a little harder. Rotella makes it, but I've never seen any. I did find some 10w-30 CI-4 made by a company called Champion. Who's the refiner? No way of knowing, but as long as it meets the API spec, I don't care.

I also wouldn't be the slightest bit afraid of using Kubota's own oil. How can you go wrong with that? AFAIK, Mobil1 is NOT rated for diesels. There is some Castrol that is because the VW diesels use it.

RichNJKubota · Oct 7, 2004

I've been using RedLine synthetic diesel oil.

KennyV · Oct 8, 2004

cp1969
Delvac 1 IS mobil1’s synthetic FOR DIESEL ENGINES… It has been out for years and is used in every diesel application. KennyV.

cp1969 · Oct 8, 2004

I'm sorry, I must have glossed over the word 'Delvac'.

Yes, Delvac is indeed diesel oil. Good stuff. I'm pretty sure Mobil1 is not rated for diesels, though.

edit: Oops, I have to eat some words. I had a couple quarts (5w-30 and 15w-50) of Mobil1 left over from when I was in my synthetic oil phase, and sure enough they're rated CF which is plenty good enough for a Kubota.

texbaylea · Oct 8, 2004

I am about to do the first change on my new Kubota L3130. I plan to use Shell Rotella 15W-40 in it, the same as I use in my GMC diesel pickup. I also use Rotella in my GMC gas Suburban. Rotella is reported to be the widest used oil for diesel cars and trucks. I do not feel the need to use synthetic oil in my engines. I plan to change on schedule or annually, which every comes first.

Vernon

KennyV · Oct 9, 2004

Synthetic or not….??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I’m sure you have read lots of dis-cuss-in about it /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. There is usually lots of information, testimonials, stats and facts that just confuse plain ol’ opinion. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I have been synthetic oil for a few decades now. I’m almost too old to change my mind again… so I will probably continue synthetic. Just don’t ask me to justify using it. Heck I’m even using synthetic grease… /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Regular change of any quality oil is no doubt the most valuable thing you can do for your engine… Enjoy /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif … KennyV.

Dargo · Oct 9, 2004

I totally agree with KennyV on Mobile's Delvac. It is in all of my diesel engines except the brand new L5030HSTC I just bought last month. I'm wanting to put the Delvac in it on the first oil change, but I want to get in writing from Kubota that they will allow that under the factory warranty. For reasons that seem obvious to me, my dealer tells me that Kubota may void my factory engine warranty if I use oil other than the Kubota brand mentioned in the manual.
I have a real problem with that because of several reasons; first, as stated earlier, who makes Kubota's motor oil? Kubota does not manufacture oil. Second, I'm quite confident that Mobil 1 Delvac oil surpasses the quality of Kubota brand oil. Third, why should I have to buy over priced "Kubota" brand oil when there should be no debate that there are other oils as good as or better than their oil? /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
I understand that since Kubota will "foot the bill" on engine repairs that they should be able to dictate that a quality diesel oil be used in their engine. After all, they are paying for any repair. However, if I'm using "as good as" or "better" oil, why should I have to pay for their over priced oil?? Anybody have in writing from Kubota where a person can use oil other than Kubota's while under Kubota factory warranty?

jrepp · Oct 9, 2004

Dargo:

Warranties and the Magnuson-Moss Act

While the Magnuson-Moss Act does not require manufacturers to provide a written warranty, it provides specific rules when one is provided.

Among those provisions, FTC regulations state: “(c) No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer’s using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service pro vided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this subsection may be waived by the Commission if – (1) the warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and (2) the Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest.” (42 U.S.C. 2303(C))