synthetic after 50 hours

[cchoate]

Can I start using synthetic oil (mobil 1 10w-30 with a ch rating) after the first 50 hours on my kubota diesel or should my first oil change be a non-synthetic?

 

[deepsnow]

My NH dealer recommended not to use synthetic oil until the 150 hr mark. He did comment on a few people who have changed over to synthetic oil @ 50hrs without any yet reported problems(units were sold within the last year). I followed the dealers suggestion of using dino oil @ 50 hrs. Since I had no cold weather starting problems last winter season I'll probably stick with dino oil. IMO adhering to the factory maintance schedule is more important than dino vs synthetic.

 

[neilw]

IMHO synthetic oils should not be introduced into your engine untill your ring break in is completed. Maybe someone with some knowledge and experience can help us all with this question.

 

[Slamfire]

Did he say why you should wait?

 

[banjobj]

This has been discussed in great length in the past. My opinion having read many, is that synthetic is fine to use provided it meets the manufacturers engine spec. I used Mobil 1 Delvac in my NH TC 21 D at 50 hours with no ill effect. Several new cars are sent from the factory with synthetic oil in them, Corvette. I think is one.

 

[Huskerfan]

I stopped at my dealer today to buy oil and filters for the BX2200 (now with 32 hours). They recommended NO synthetic oil until at least 100 hrs are on the machine because the machine is not adequately broken in at 50 hrs. They also recommended an earlier fluid change than the 50 hours quoted in the manual (lots of engine filings from the manufacturing process and it can't hurt anything by changing a little earlier). Also, the Mobil 1 engine oil filter, M104, will fit the BX series and feels substantially heavier than the Kubota. replacement filter. I've use this filter on a Kubota gas engine in a Grasshopper mower and the Mobil 1 oil never looks dirty.

They recommended the Case IH Hytran transmission fluid and stated that they obtained permission from Kubota to use this product instead of the Super UDT.

 

[cchoate]

After a long discussion with my dealer and dealer mechanic, they said no synthetic until 150 hours. Until then, use Kubota 10w-30. They didn't know who really makes Kubotas oil. I may change engine oil every 40 hours but the hydro fluid I will stick to the book because super udt is so expensive.

 

[Huskerfan]

Whoops, sorry I spoke too soon. The Mobil 1 104 filter does NOT fit the BX2200, stick to the Kubota K70000-15241 for the engine and the K2561-36990 for the transmission. I did the first maintainence today using Case 10-30 for the engine, Hytran Plus for the hydro and 80W90 gear lube for the front axle and the MMM. After lots of oil soaked newspapers, degreaser for the floor and the use of two long, flexible neck funnels the deed is done.
Changing the mower deck fluid is messy unless you use an electric hoist or your FEL to lift the side of the deck up several feet. Draining the oil is much easier this way. It also positions the deck for scraping off the grass buildup, for blade removal, sharpening and greasing.

 

[rja]

I switched to synthetic on my kub l3000dt at around 25hrs. No problems. I even installed the dual bypass filter setup. Again, no problems. It even gets better fuel milage (or what ever you call it for a tractor).

Rich

 

[Ozarker]

Here is my understanding of the situation. The engine break in period can be better described as the "cut in" period. The newly machine parts are actually cutting metal as they wear into each other. That is why you change both the oil and the filter early the first time. To remove those metal cuttings.

Petroleum based oils are also good cutting oils. Synthetic oils are not good cutting oils and could actually interfere with the proper wear in of the parts.