JD Plus-50 or Rotella 10W-30

[Backup]

The JD manual really aggravates me. It calls for 10W-30 or 5W-30 if in cold climate, then goes on to recommend the JD PLUS-50 brand oil which is not made in 10W-30 or 5W-30. So I can either comply with the recommended weight or brand, but not both. The dealer says use PLUS-50 15W-40, the common diesel weight, even though this contradicts the manual. So, I see Rotella T in 10W-30 at the local Wally World and am thinking this is the way to go. It does meet CI-4 which the manual says is OK. I just wish JD made this simple and sold a quality synthetic oil that matches the specs shown in their own product manuals. They really need to fix that. I'm guessing the engine oil specs came from Yanmar, and that JD threw in the PLUS-50 pitch to sell their own oil. 15W-40 seems a little high to me for winter in Indiana. Thoughts? I know it really may not make much difference, I just want the best oil for my new machine.

Directly from the manual:

"Choose oil viscosity based on the expected air temperature range during the period between oil changes.

John Deere PLUS-50 oil is recommended. John Deere TORQ-GARD SUPREME and oils meeting ACEA Specification E4/E5 may also be used.

Other oils may be used if they meet one or more of the following: API Service Classification CI-4, API Service Classification CH-4, or ACEA Specification E3.

Multi-viscosity diesel engine oils are preferred. Do not use break-in oils."

 

[Marcussen]

JD has a plus oil in 0w-40 which should work great all year round. It's a synthetic and expensive. My Kobota also calls for 10w-30 or 10w-40 but my dealer also recomended 15w-40. I ended up using a 10w-30 synthetic blend but the rotella should work fine.

 

[Mike5252]

Backup, I went through this exact thought process within the last week. My dealer didn't have the 10w 30. So first went to Auto Zone, which didn't have any either. Ended up at Wal Mart and picked up 10W 30 Rotella T which as you mentioned has the exact API certifications recommended in the JD manual.

I would have bought the JD had they had it, but haven't had a second thought about putting the Rotella T in it. Since you mentioned they don't even make the JD oil in 10W30, I'll probably just short cut the analysis next time and buy Rotella T again.

 

[DieselPower]

You should be fine with the Rotella T 10W-30. It's a good engine oil.

One thing that alway's makes me laugh is how JD preach's using a API engine oil. Hmm, that's funny, JD doesn't have any licenced API rated oils.

 

[dmccarty]

One thing that alway's makes me laugh is how JD preach's using a API engine oil. Hmm, that's funny, JD doesn't have any licenced API rated oils.

On the JD website the JD 0Wx40 and 15Wx40 oils are API rated.

I don't understand the statement that the JD oil is not API rated.

Later,
Dan

 

[JGY]

John Deere Plus 50 II Engine Oil 10W-30

Part
number​

SAE​

Size​

Pkg.
qty.​

U.S. only
TY26669
10W-30

1 qt.​

12​

TY26668
10W-30

1 gal.​

6​

TY26671
10W-30

5 gal.​

1​

TY26670
10W-30

55 gal.​

1​