Oils

[Tinmann]

What do most of you use as far as motor oils in your Kubota's? I just purchased a new 3710 and was curious as to the oils that are used. I plan to use Delo 15-40 since I use it in my diesel pick-up. Also what brands are recommended in the hydro-statoc transmissions. What is the time or hourly change on the oils, new and later on. Does anyone use an additive in the radiators?

 

[Bird]

Oh Lord, Tinmann, I guess if you're a new member, we'll forgive you for bringing up this topic again/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif. It's been beat to death on the old board and you might want to go back to the archives and read some of those messages. There are a number of people convinced that you should use synthetics (especially Amsoil), and there's no doubt they're good. I just happen to be one of those who are not yet convinced they are worth the extra cost. The most popular oils in my area are the Delo 400 (15W-40) or the Rotella T (15W-40), and I, along with all my neighbors and brothers, use the Delo. If you bought the tractor new, it should have a manual with the service intervals specified, and I'd stay with them; especially the first 50 hour service. In the hydrostatic transmission, I'm using the Kubota UDT, although the semi-synthetic? Super UDT is undoubtedly good, for more money.

Bird

 

[gerard]

I have to agree with Bird for the most part except I'm convinced of the added value of synthetics, even more so for tractors than for cars, (due to the longevity associated/expected from tractors). I have a new L2500 coming up on the 50hour and am planning on going with all Amsoil synthetic for the engine and transmission/hydraulics. While the cost is more after the 50 the maintenance intervals are long enough that the cost is minor enough vs the potential benefits. I also agree that the 50 is probably the most critical to get out any filings after the break-in period. (Considering the cost of implements etc the added cost of a full synthetic certainly seems minimal and even among the "unconvinced", I haven't heard anyone say the synthetics are inferior to conventional.

 

[tbarber55]

I use New Holland oils in both my New Holland and Kubota
the NH has 2700 hours the Kubota 970 hours

 

[MChalkley]

Tinman, as Bird suggests, try doing keyword search on the old forum for more posts than you'll likely have time to read. Most of the longer ones, you'll notice, are Bird explaining why he's "unconvinced" /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.

I know that Rotella T is considered by many to be one of the best petroleum oils, but I wouldn't use it in tractors for one simple reason. In the test results I've seen (which admittedly were commissioned by producers of synthetic oils) it ranks worst among the diesel rated petroleum oils in volatility. It loses a much larger percentage of its volume to evaporation than most others do, which thickens the oil whether it's used or not. In tractors, I think this is especially important, because many of them go long intervals with little usage and infrequent changes.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I am using Mobil Delvac 1300 Super (15w-30) on all my Kubota equipment. I have known several trucking and construction outfits who have had excellent results with this oil.

 

[Peter]

Re: Oils: diff btw Delvac & Mobile 1?

Hello. I've been through the oil war discussions as well and don't want to start one. I was just curious how you choose the Mobil Delvac 15w30 over the Mobil One Tri-Synthetic 10w30? I have just turned 50 hours on my 2710 and plan to use Mobil One 10w30. It is rated for both spark (SJ) and compression (CF) engines, and the tractor manual says use 10w30. I've heard that the Delvac is specifically for diesels but the regular Mobil One covers both. Comments?

Thanks.
Pete Reinhard

 

[MChalkley]

Re: Oils: diff btw Delvac & Mobile 1?

Peter, I think they both have the same ratings for both gas and diesel engines. The main difference is in the SAE weight, and that's not enough to be concerned about. So I guess it boils down to brand preference or cost(?).

Mark

 

[Peter]

Re: Oils: diff btw Delvac & Mobile 1?

Mark.
Thanks for the reply. And I forgot to clarify that I most likely will NOT switch to synthetic at this first 50-hour point due to the arguement you presented last year regarding break-in. I recall questioning how you arrived at "150" hours, but I agree with you in principal: make sure your engine is broken in before the switch. I'll change the engine oil with "regular" oil this weekend, but will put in the synthetic before we get the real cold weather next winter, regardless of the hour meter.
Regards.
Pete R

 

[Muhammad]

Ok guys, I think it's about time for an 'oil' topic - while I am at it, maybe a few other specific forums. Any comments/suggestions?

<font color=blue>>></font color=blue>Muhammad
<font color=blue>Forum Master</font color=blue>

 

[gordon]

Not to many catagories--we might get confused--why do you think hydrostatic drive is so popular don't have to switch gears--less thinking u know--by the way I'm just joking--Yes a few more choices or threads would be great Thanks for asking Gordon

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Pete,
The Mobil synthetic oil designed for diesel engines is the Mobil Delvac 1. If you visit the Mobil Web site or look at the back of the Mobil 1 tri-synthetic bottle it does not say for use with diesel engines. The design difference of the two oils is the far superior soot control that has been designed into Mobil delvac 1. If you do not want to pay the premium price for the Mobil synthetic the petroleum based Mobil Delvac 1300 is a wise choice. This oil is designed for diesel engines offering the soot control required with diesel engines, especially required with the new low emission engines of today. My research has led me to conclude that you want an oil designed for diesels.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Oils: diff btw Delvac & Mobile 1?

The Delvac 1 is 5w40 opposed to 10w30 and so forth for the Mobil 1. The additive package in Delvac 1 is designed with diesels in mind and so meets ch-4 ratings as opposed to cf for Mobil 1. New diesels have much retarded injection timing as opposed to older diesels and the soot level absorbed by the oil is much higher, the oil has to keep it suspended etc. I use Mobil 1 in my 4310 GST with 115 hours on it and probably will continue to use Mobil !. Would use Delvac 1 but prices here in N Ga are much higher for the Delvac 1. I also hear a lot about extended oil drain intervals but am a little leery when offroad equipment is involved due to the super dirty environment. No oil can compensate for dirt that has gotten past the air filtration system. Just use common sense i guess
Good Luck

 

[gandalf]

Re: Oils: diff btw Delvac & Mobile 1?

I think one should stick with the oil brand and type that came with the tractor when new, at least until breakin is completed and then a blended petroleum-synthetic or full synthetic would probably be best. In my new Dodge Cummins turbo diesel pickup, I used the Cummins recommended Valvoline premium blue petroleum oil until I had about 15,000 miles and then I switched to their premium blue 2000 sysnthetic blend. Valvoline diesel oils are supposedly very good and exceed all mfg's specifications. Sam /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

"I love the smell of diesel in the morning."

 

[_RaT_]

Mark, its funny (not in the hehe way) that you say Shells Rotella T 15W40 is rated one of the best. Almost without exception, Chevron Delo 15w40 is not only the best among tests for conventional oils, it is hands down the #1 choice for trucks (semi trucks in CA.). I quizzed a repair facility about this and the answer was that it keeps the engines cleaner then any of the other oils. I then asked if that was all and it was apparent that in turbocharged diesels (which is just about any diesel truck today), there is no foaming. That may not have been the most objective study I've done, since to tell you the truth, I don't think that the oil they use is the first and foremost in terms of importance on their minds, it is however interesting that so many trucking firms out here in CA. use Delo 15W40. I will however agree with an earlier post that said synthetics may be even more important in a tractor. The next tractor I get will get Amsoil, I'm convinced enough that due to the time span oil stays in a tractor, the synthetics with all their attributes, must be better, I'll gladly pay the extra cost, at least for my tractor. Rat...

 

[MChalkley]

Rat - Just for the record (and I think you understood what I said correctly - I just want to make sure everyone else did), I said it's considered by many to be one of the best, I did not mean by me. In fact, as I said later in my post, the tests of it that I've seen rate it as one of the worst if you're going to leave it in there even as long as a manufacturer's recommended oil change, because of it's extremely high volatility. I wouldn't use it in anything, personally, but many truckers do. And I know that many mechanics recommend it - but I'm not sure who's side they're on.

Mark

 

[W5FL]

Re: Oils: diff btw Delvac & Mobile 1?

I am not sure ANYONE knows what comes from the factory in your Kubota.

I just finished the 50 hour on my tractor. See post in Oil and Lubrication or whatever it is. The fluid in the front differential is reddish in color. The fluid in the transmission and both front wheel gearcases is brownish in color. The US oil for Kubota is manufactured by Valvoline, but no one has any idea what oil is put in the crankcase in Japan. Maybe together we will find more of the answers.

 

[_RaT_]

Mark, yeah I understand what your saying, sometimes I just find it interesting to observe what folks on the East are doing, using, thinking, compared to us folks on the West. There is a difference and it is one of the things I have found most interesting since using this site. Rat...