? on Tractor Oil/Filter

dannylink · Aug 24, 2007

When I changed the oil in my L3400 I went to walmart and bought Penns Oil 15W30 for diesel engines. I than bought a Fram filter. I changed the oil (50 hr) and filter. The tractor seemed to run fine.

Did I make a mistake in using this type of oil and filter??

TractorTodd · Aug 25, 2007

I hope you don't loose too much sleep over this. Time will tell.

TedLaRue · Aug 25, 2007

So you're either worried about Pennzoil brand oil, or Fram brand of filters.

Assuming 15W30 is right for your temperature range, Pennzoil is fine.

If you really want to know about the filters, go to http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html at your own peril. Could be information overload. As TractorTodd said, try not to lose any sleep over it.

DiezNutz · Aug 25, 2007

Pennzoil makes a 10W-30 and a 15W-40 for diesels, never seen a 15W-30.
As far as the Fram oil filter... you actually went out of your way to find the one that fits your Kubota, and a sub-standard filter at that.

Saving a few bucks isn't worth taking a chance on trashing your new engine. I personally know two people who had Fram filters that came apart and ruined their motors (one was a sport bike), and heard many more (unconfirmed) horror stories over the years.

It isn't so bad that you need to fix it immediately, just at 100hrs maybe you want to buy a Kubota filter, or at least a quality reputable aftermarket filter.

copperhead1967 · Aug 25, 2007

I used kubota fluids and filter until my warranty expired. I heard talk of kubota not honoring warranty work if you had aftermarket parts or fluids.

I since started using FRAM oil filters and kubota hydro filters with kubota hydro fluid. Oil is changed out so quick any will do. I usually service the tractor in the spring and put 100 hrs on it a year. I do a mid season engine oil and filter change. The FRAM filters are about half the price of the Kubota so I get a fresh filter twice a year instead of a oil change using the same filter as recommended in the manual.
The TSC my way stocks FRAM oil filters for tractors. I figure if the farmers use them they must be OK. Who am I to question a hundred years of wisdom.

wushaw · Aug 25, 2007

The oil is fine but I wouldn't use Fram just because I tried four in a row on my Jeep and every one leaked... that was last year, they may have fixed them since but I ain't gonna try em again.

DiezNutz · Aug 25, 2007

wushaw said:
The oil is fine but I wouldn't use Fram just because I tried four in a row on my Jeep and every one leaked... that was last year, they may have fixed them since but I ain't gonna try em again.

There's alot of people that have used/will use Fram for years and never have a problem. Then there are the unlucky ones... there's enough of them not to ignore that some issues exist. To me, it's not worth taking a chance on ending up being one of them. Not every oil filter failure is one that causes immediate and severe damage. There are a number of weak points in the Fram filters that if they fail allow dirty oil to squirt right through. Certain to take hours off the life of the engine, just like smoking cigarettes would take years off of mine.

simonmeridew · Aug 26, 2007

Danny
For six bucks you could go to the Kubota dealer and get the right filter, take off the Fram and put the Kubota on, without losing more than a cup of oil, and then you'll stop worrying about it for the next year. You don't need to change the oil to change the filter; it just unscrews off.
simonmeridew

Tommy V · Aug 26, 2007

I like to get the Kubota filters at the dealer because I always ask them if there is any recall or problems I should be on the lookout for. I spent a load of money on the tractor and have been nothing but impressed with it. It does alto of work for me and I think the least I can do is buy the OEM filters and oil. I use SUDT. I do wince at the price but realize it is cheaper than back surgery or a new tractor.

rdam · Aug 27, 2007

I agree with OEM filters, but not the oil. "Kubota" branded oil is made for Kubota, to their specs, by the lowest bidder. Get a high quality oil from Shell, Mobil-1, Amsoil that meets the specs. (Probably SAE 30/10w-30, CD, CE, CF)

Mahana79 · Aug 28, 2007

Well heck i might as well put in my .02

WIX filters and Shell Rotella T oils in every Diesel I own.

I will never buy another Fram after seeing one cut open and seeing what they are made of.

Mahana79 · Aug 28, 2007

TedLaRue said:
So you're either worried about Pennzoil brand oil, or Fram brand of filters.

Assuming 15W30 is right for your temperature range, Pennzoil is fine.

If you really want to know about the filters, go to Engine Oil Filter Study at your own peril. Could be information overload. As TractorTodd said, try not to lose any sleep over it.

that is some good reading i will be sure to forward that link to many fo my mechanic friends.

Double 00 Soul · Aug 28, 2007

Have to echo the words of many of the others here, especially DiezNutz. For every horror story about Fram filters you'll probably find a testimonial from someone who's used them for many years with no problems. I know both types of people. From there it boils down to a simple case of logic. We spend umpteen thousands of dollars on our tractors, it makes no sense to me to save one, two or whatever dollars on oil filters.

Marcussen · Aug 28, 2007

I have used Fram filters in all my vehicles with no problems, but after reading about their inferior design on several website I no longer buy Fram oil filters, My Ford and Chevy gets Motorcraft, Wix, or Purolator, My tractor gets Kubota only because I can't find the Wix or Purolator filters for it localy.
Last change on my tractor was Kubota filter and Rotella T 5w-40 synthetic.

DiezNutz · Aug 28, 2007

rdam said:
Probably SAE 30/10w-30, CD, CE, CF

You want CI-4 at a minimum. CF and below is outdated. Keep the oil current with the available fuel, which now is all ULSD.

dannylink · Aug 28, 2007

thanks to all who responded. you all convinced this new guy. I will use the Kubota filter from now on. did not relize there were so many opinions on this subject. Is it still OK to use the Pennzoil brand diesel oil (15W40)?? Not sure I should ask this ?

Marcussen · Aug 29, 2007

Pennzoil makes good oils for diesel or gas engines, I would have no issues with their 15W-40 oil. It seems everybody uses 15W-40 in their diesel engines.

DiezNutz · Aug 29, 2007

Marcussen said:
It seems everybody uses 15W-40 in their diesel engines.

This has been debated in several other threads (if everybody was driving their diesel off a cliff - would you?) I think you made a wiser choice with the 5W-40 Ro-T, and let's leave it at that.

rdam · Aug 30, 2007

DiezNutz said:
You want CI-4 at a minimum. CF and below is outdated. Keep the oil current with the available fuel, which now is all ULSD.

DiezNutz

My owners maunual is pretty up to date, considering it's for an L3240. The recommended oil is "CD, CE, CF, SAE/10W-30, or 10W40". They do mention "CF-4 and CG-4", related to high sulfer diesel. There is NO MENTION of CI-4. I assume this is significant, because the other disignators are addressed specifically for different fuels.

It's a little confusing.

DiezNutz · Aug 30, 2007

rdam said:
DiezNutz, My owners maunual is pretty up to date, considering it's for an L3240. The recommended oil is "CD, CE, CF, SAE/10W-30, or 10W40". They do mention "CF-4 and CG-4", related to high sulfer diesel. There is NO MENTION of CI-4. I assume this is significant, because the other disignators are addressed specifically for different fuels. It's a little confusing.

Yes it can be confusing. My manual basically says the same as yours... to show you how out of date they are, CD & CE are obsolete and not only is CI-4+ current but CJ-4 is coming. If you really look at motor oils, you'll find most of the true oils for diesels are at least CI-4, to keep up with developments in fuels & additives, and the more general purpose oils are usually lagging behind. Recent thread:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/104793-oil-type-your-kubota.html