Hobby Farmer Tractor Lubricants

[bsekf]

I am the normal hobby farmer. May only use the tractor once a week but then use it for 3-4 hours. Normal use is 500 hours per year. I am concerned about condensation in the crankcase and the hydraulic system from the heating and cooling. Will the use of synthetic(T5) or simi synthetic motor(T4) and hydraulic oil help negate that problem? The synthetic hydraulic oil it double the price of TS Premium, is it worth the extra expense? Or am I overthinking again?

 

[Hay Dude]

Maybe just run the tractor to take out trash cans, get mail, etc. That would help with the sitting/condensation?

 

[LHF2019]

500 hours is nothing to scoff at in a year. I wouldn’t be concerned with it.

 

[EddieWalker]

I am the normal hobby farmer. May only use the tractor once a week but then use it for 3-4 hours. Normal use is 500 hours per year. I am concerned about condensation in the crankcase and the hydraulic system from the heating and cooling. Will the use of synthetic(T5) or simi synthetic motor(T4) and hydraulic oil help negate that problem? The synthetic hydraulic oil it double the price of TS Premium, is it worth the extra expense? Or am I overthinking again?

500 hours a year on a tractor is a lot of hours on a tractor!!! I'm less then 100 hours a year, and I have a 2012 tractor that still under 600 hours total use. I also have a 2022 tractor that is still under 200 hours.

Since it's very common to only use compact tractors a dozen hours a month or less, nothing extra needs to be done other than changing the filters and fluids when the manual says to change them. Use what your owners manual says to use, and you'll have the best results.

 

[dodge man]

I think for a lot of people on this forum a 100 hours a year is more normal. 500 a year is enough I wouldn’t worry about it. Any modern name brand fluid is going to be decent but the synthetic ones are better.

 

[Hay Dude]

“Once a week for 3-4 hours”
3x52 = 156 hours
4x52 = 208 hours, not 500 hours

 

[bsekf]

OK, Does 200 hours per year make any difference from 500 hrs per year. Sounds like worrying about condensation is over thinking. So T4 and TS premium hyd oil is fine?

 

[RjCorazza]

Synthetic vs conventional will make no difference with condensation issues. Condensation is a non issue with transmissions, but short cycling the engine will create moisture issues for engine oil which is why I always get my machines well into operating temperature before shutting them down.
All that said, I prefer synthetic lubricants regardless of how many hours I put on my equipment.

 

[LHF2019]

OK, Does 200 hours per year make any difference from 500 hrs per year. Sounds like worrying about condensation is over thinking. So T4 and TS premium hyd oil is fine?

No just run your and enjoy it

 

[Hay Dude]

OK, Does 200 hours per year make any difference from 500 hrs per year. Sounds like worrying about condensation is over thinking. So T4 and TS premium hyd oil is fine?

I think the bigger picture for your situation is to make sure to run it good and hot for an extended period and then allow a few minutes to cool down before shut off.
Do a list of chores and keep the tractor running, rather than start/stop frequently for short periods of time.