Oil type in older tractor?

[Slippy]

What type of oil should I run in an older tractor. It is about a 1980 IH 1086. Run multi viscosity such as Rotella 15w 40 or a straight weight like IH 30 weight?
Thanks

 

[cp1969]

I would run the latest API rated 15w-40 and not think twice about it.

 

[Sully2]

I would run the latest API rated 15w-40 and not think twice about it.

No idea how large a "1086" IH is??...but if its anything like my farmer budddys 1394...Id sure say YEPPER!!

 

[art]

You can try the 15-40 but if it uses oil try switching to the case-ih factory 30 weight. I like fixed weights as the weights are fixed and don't break down under load.
The case-ih oil is one of the best engine oils for diesels I've seen.

 

[travis potter]

my ih 574 book says do not run multigrade oil use only 30 wt in summer. my Leyland 154 says use multigrade and that is what i do. different tractors different oil.

 

[flusher]

What type of oil should I run in an older tractor. It is about a 1980 IH 1086. Run multi viscosity such as Rotella 15w 40 or a straight weight like IH 30 weight?
Thanks

MF recommends 30W so I use 30W Delo in my 1964 MF-135 (45 hp engine).

Kubota recommends 30W, 10W-30 or 10W-40 so I use 10W-30 in my 2005 B7510HST. I may change to 30W Delo next time I service that tractor.

 

[RalphVa]

Use multi-vis and don't think twice about it. I had to use 15w-50 in my old Gravely tractor to keep it from using oil. Finally switched to Mobil 1 15w-50. It used a little the first change to it, but then it quit, and the oil stayed nice and clean.

I use Mobil 1 5w-40 when I can get it, otherwise a 50/50 mix of 5w-30 and 15w-50 (to get the 10w-40 recommended), in my 1983 Benz diesel. It uses about the same amount (about a 1/2 qt every 1,000 miles) as it did on dino 10w-40.

Ralph

 

[art]

Tractors run at full throttle, cars at about 1/4!!!! Tractors run under near full load, cars at 1/4!!!!!!!!! Two different applications demanding two types of oil!!!! Go ahead and use car or truck oil in your tractor and we'll see it in the repair shop!!! Talk 3000 to 4000 hours for a rebuild on a tractor, wrong oil!!!!!!!!

 

[TrippleT]

That is a six cylinder diesel engine and over a hundred horse power. I would use the 15-40 for diesel engines.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

All but one of my tractors is old. I made the switch to 15/40 (Pennzoil) years ago. No trouble. They get used hard. All were ORIGINALLY spec-ed for sae 30, or sae 20 in winter. Neighbor of mine has a pair of FarmAll 1206's that have ran on 15/40 for the last 15 years. They're used to pull small "pan" scrapers (excavating contractor) They have over 10,000 hours on the clock with nothing more than routine service. They ARE worn down, but they would have been with ANY oil in that many hours. Multi-weight oild provide better lubrication on start-up, where most engine wear occurs. They provide equally good protection once the engine reaches operating temps. Straight weight oils are simply out-dated for use in diesel engines. Save it for your oil can.

Service manuals for older tractors suggest sae20/30 type oils because THAT'S WHAT THEY HAD back then. Now there's better oils. Why use something out dated and inferior in protection/performance when better is available and roughly the same cost?

This from someone who's as old school as they get. SOME modern products are better than old technology.