Kohler Brand Oils - Worth It?

stubborn · May 19, 2006

It's time to change the break-in oil on my Cub Cadet LT1050 (with the 23 HP Kohler Courage V-Twin OHV engine). Should I use the Kohler-branded Command 10W-30 or would a "garden-variety" brand be just as good? The Cub is only used in Spring/Summer/Early Fall for lawn mowing and the average temp. is between 60-85 degrees F.

Also, the Cub manual for my tractor says to change the break-in oil at 24 hours while the Lowe's salesman said 8. I am now at 16 hours. Does this seem about right?

stubborn · May 19, 2006

It's time to change the break-in oil on my Cub Cadet LT1050 (with the 23 HP Kohler Courage V-Twin OHV engine). Should I use the Kohler-branded Command 10W-30 or would a "garden-variety" brand be just as good? The Cub is only used in Spring/Summer/Early Fall for lawn mowing and the average temp. is between 60-85 degrees F.

Also, the Cub manual for my tractor says to change the break-in oil at 24 hours while the Lowe's salesman said 8. I am now at 16 hours. Does this seem about right?

RalphVa · May 19, 2006

I switched all my air cooled engines to Mobil 1 and now have switched in all my vehicles. The Kohler almost quit using oil once I got to the 2nd change on Mobil 1. It'll use less fuel and give you more hp than any of the dino stuff, and you can leave it in there for probably 2 or 3 seasons if you're just mowing your own property.

I switched at 13 hours on my JD 4010. The Kohler on the Gravely had about 250 hours when I did the switch.

Get some 5w-30.

Ralph

RalphVa · May 19, 2006

I switched all my air cooled engines to Mobil 1 and now have switched in all my vehicles. The Kohler almost quit using oil once I got to the 2nd change on Mobil 1. It'll use less fuel and give you more hp than any of the dino stuff, and you can leave it in there for probably 2 or 3 seasons if you're just mowing your own property.

I switched at 13 hours on my JD 4010. The Kohler on the Gravely had about 250 hours when I did the switch.

Get some 5w-30.

Ralph

stubborn · May 19, 2006

Thanks for the advice. I had planned on switching to synthetic at some point after the break-in period but I have read elsewhere on this forum that it is recommended to use "dino oil" for up to 50 hours. Does that seem excessive?

I'm glad to see that you are recommending 5W-30 as that is what the chart in the Cub manual (which is a direct reproduction of a chart at the Kohler engines web site) says to use for my temp. range.

stubborn · May 19, 2006

Thanks for the advice. I had planned on switching to synthetic at some point after the break-in period but I have read elsewhere on this forum that it is recommended to use "dino oil" for up to 50 hours. Does that seem excessive?

I'm glad to see that you are recommending 5W-30 as that is what the chart in the Cub manual (which is a direct reproduction of a chart at the Kohler engines web site) says to use for my temp. range.

stubborn · May 19, 2006

Since this is a Kohler Brand subject, I want to know if their oil filters are any better than an aftermarket equivalent. I picked up a Toro-branded p/n 12-050-01 at Home Depot. But today I noticed that the Kohler-brand filter is p/n KH2505025. Are they "interchangeable"? Will the p/n 12-050-01 work just fine? Am I being paranoid? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

stubborn · May 19, 2006

Since this is a Kohler Brand subject, I want to know if their oil filters are any better than an aftermarket equivalent. I picked up a Toro-branded p/n 12-050-01 at Home Depot. But today I noticed that the Kohler-brand filter is p/n KH2505025. Are they "interchangeable"? Will the p/n 12-050-01 work just fine? Am I being paranoid? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

SteveInMD · May 19, 2006

Follow the owners manual. You're not going to benefit from changing the oil early. Use petroleum based oil during the breakin period, then switch to synthetic.

Change the oil at the end of the season. Used oil builds up acids that can corrode the engine if it sits all winter.

I use NAPA Gold filters on my Kohler motors. Toro probably uses a good supplier. I don't think you're going to get an absolute clear answer on this question.

SteveInMD · May 19, 2006

Follow the owners manual. You're not going to benefit from changing the oil early. Use petroleum based oil during the breakin period, then switch to synthetic.

Change the oil at the end of the season. Used oil builds up acids that can corrode the engine if it sits all winter.

I use NAPA Gold filters on my Kohler motors. Toro probably uses a good supplier. I don't think you're going to get an absolute clear answer on this question.