Motor oil for Kubota?

[RWEST]

Any one else hear anything re CI vs CJ ????

Yep, all over the 'net. CJ-4 oils are formulated with lower amounts of zinc and phosphorous (and the ZDDP compound produced thereby) to protect catalytic converters and particulate filters in '07 and later engined vehicles using ULSD fuel, along with new and/or revised ratios of other additives.

If you've nothing to do for a few weeks, google "ZDDP" then settle back .....

There was a lot of concern that the reduced ZDDP levels would cause valve-train wear problems in pre-'07 engines, but, based on quite a few million miles of OTR use, such does not appear to be the case. Diesel Power probably has access to some anecdotal evidence.

In any event, CI-4 sure won't hurt anything in pre-'07 stuff, or even post-'07 as long as there are no cats or filters, but I'll have no problems running CJ-4 once my stash of CI-4+ Rotella "T" 5-40 is used up.

 

[Reg]

I'm new to this forum, so someone may have already addressed this in the past. I bought a Kubots L4240 last June (2008). The fifty-hour service light came on the other day, so I went by my local dealership to purchase the oil and filter I needed. I also bought a hydraulic filter. Talk about highway robbery!!! $105 and some change! The 2 1/2-gallon jug of "KUBOTA" oil was over $50, and the hydraulic filter was $37. NEVER AGAIN!!!!

What I'm wondering is, does anyone know of an "approved" oil that I can use in place of the Kubota oil? I've already found the correct Wix filter numbers for next time (at half the price). Now I need to find a motor oil that will suffice. I'm considering Delo 400 or Rotella. Any ideas??

I think there is more superstition, fear and plain nonsense believed and written about oils than (almost) any other subject.
Yeah, oil.
Oily oil will do.
There is little/nothing different or in any way special about the laws of physics inside a Kubota engine.
Metallurgy, engineering, also still apply.

That said; I get Rotella T at the local Mall_Wart

 

[Boudreaux]

I'm the proud owner of a '95 L2900 Compact Utility Kubota Tractor (purchased new with a FD72 Land Pride grooming mower).

I used Kubota oil for the first two years, then went to Rotella-T Synthetic oil (blue bottle) for the last twelve years without issues. This tractor has not had the need to be repaired in any way, shape, or form. No issues, notta, nothing.....!!!

When I look back and remember this, I find it so hard to beleive.

Wilson

 

[Three D]

Can I switch from synthitic oil to conventional oil

 

[DieselPower]

Yes you can switch from synthetic to a conventional oil.

 

[TPS]

Good discussion fellas. I always like to read discussions on oils and each time I learn something. d1king, John Deere plus 50 oil is still ci4plus rated and unlikely to change seems like I get it for around $12 a gallon. Does fine in Kubotas too
Take care
TPS

 

[sw03]

Good discussion fellas. I always like to read discussions on oils and each time I learn something. d1king, John Deere plus 50 oil is still ci4plus rated and unlikely to change seems like I get it for around $12 a gallon. Does fine in Kubotas too
Take care
TPS

If you want a good oil debate there are other better places. Jd oil is good for the $12 price so expect a $12 product.

 

[varmint]

Because it gets fairly cold here, and my Kubota B8200 is by nature a cold blooded beast when it comes to starting unless I have the block heater plugged in for 15 minutes, I have been using Rotella Syn 5-40w for several years- it's diesel rated, and only 19-20 bucks a gallon at Wally World, well worth it for me. I bought a bunch of Kubota filters from Tractorsmart or one of the other supply places mentioned on TBN, and they were about $6 each- again, well worth it for me. My biggest problem is not enough hours, maybe 40-50 a year, so I am "wasting" oil.

 

[sw03]

Because it gets fairly cold here, and my Kubota B8200 is by nature a cold blooded beast when it comes to starting unless I have the block heater plugged in for 15 minutes, I have been using Rotella Syn 5-40w for several years- it's diesel rated, and only 19-20 bucks a gallon at Wally World, well worth it for me. I bought a bunch of Kubota filters from Tractorsmart or one of the other supply places mentioned on TBN, and they were about $6 each- again, well worth it for me. My biggest problem is not enough hours, maybe 40-50 a year, so I am "wasting" oil.

I agree but Amsoil 5w30 is more but a way better oil; and performs better in UOA. Plus no heater is needed here in northeast.

Kubota filters are overpriced. You can buy US made filters "out the door" for about $4 per filter. Heck, Wiz is the same quality and $3.XX each.

Not saying you are wrong but TS is cheap till you add in the S/H. Then Rotella is nice but for the price.....need to weight that.

 

[TPS]

SWo3,
So lets see the oil forum where people are talking about what oils they use and I mention JD plus 50 oil being a CI 4 plus and get called down on it for wanting to start an oil debate??!!!.. What the heck is that about? If you do not like JD oil then don't use it. Still the original question was for a good oil that won't break the bank and JD Plus 50 is just that.
TPS

 

[sw03]

SWo3,
So lets see the oil forum where people are talking about what oils they use and I mention JD plus 50 oil being a CI 4 plus and get called down on it for wanting to start an oil debate??!!!.. What the heck is that about? If you do not like JD oil then don't use it. Still the original question was for a good oil that won't break the bank and JD Plus 50 is just that.
TPS

A good oil is what you are looking for. Unless you are testing etc, why dod you care? JD oil is okat but compared to what? There are some good forums, oil, that explain oil etc.. This is not one.

I would take Amsoil or even, gulp, Rotella over JD oil...

 

[Sully2]

I agree but Amsoil 5w30 is more but a way better oil; and performs better in UOA. Plus no heater is needed here in northeast.

Amsoil 5W-30 is great allright...even in bad climates....if it werent I wouldnt use it to lube the door hinges on the outhouse door.

 

[TPS]

Sw03,
I agree with you JD plus 50 is not a great oil but a very good oil. Interestingly, on the Turbodiesel site they did VOA on different diesel oils and JD rated in the good catagory with only very few non synthetics rated in the best category. It actually rated by analysis with Lucas 15w40 Magnum, Amsoil 10w40 and Catepillar DEO. As a matter of fact, it rated above all the CJ4 oils tested. This was of course was their testing and opinions based on the analysis of additives etc. By the way Rotella 5w40 synthetic was in the best category Ci 4 plus but the 15w40 CJ4 was actually rated below JD oil in this test. I agree a good oil and filter changed often is what is the most important. The only time anything else comes into play is testing and filter changes for extended drains which I don't do anyway.
TPS

 

[rut3556]

I've been running Amsoil 15-40 diesel/marine in my L2250 for 24 years now, and will no doubt continue to do so. And as for filters, the cost of Kubota filters is incindental, since I only change my oil once a year. Why skimp on a filter when you're got umpty-ump thousands of dollars tied up in the machine to begin with?

 

[RWEST]

And as for filters, the cost of Kubota filters is incindental, since I only change my oil once a year. Why skimp on a filter when you're got umpty-ump thousands of dollars tied up in the machine to begin with

In many cases, the dealer may not be close by, so it's nice to have other options. Plus, many dealers seem to think their filters are gold plated or something...

 

[rut3556]

Guess I'm lucky, as my dealer is a mere 6 miles away.

 

[JMynes]

Good filter deals here if you buy several at a time to offset shipping charges.

Wix filters - oil filters, biodiesel filters, air filters, and fuel filters from FleetFilter!

 

[NIdaho]

Interesting how different dealers price filters. On my old B7100 I found it was significantly cheaper to get the Kubota branded filters at my local dealer than it was to get filters at NAPA (WIX) or any of the other autoparts places.

 

[sw03]

I've been running Amsoil 15-40 diesel/marine in my L2250 for 24 years now, and will no doubt continue to do so. And as for filters, the cost of Kubota filters is incindental, since I only change my oil once a year. Why skimp on a filter when you're got umpty-ump thousands of dollars tied up in the machine to begin with?

I used Amsoil HDDAM oil for about 8 years. It is good but lacks in cold places etc.

The skimp on filters is not the issue. My issue is a wix filter is equal to if NOT better and less money. People love to think OEM is the best when you need to know what you have, really know.

 

[sw03]

Good filter deals here if you buy several at a time to offset shipping charges.

Wix filters - oil filters, biodiesel filters, air filters, and fuel filters from FleetFilter!

I tried that and the price with S/H where more then I can buy local.