Synthetic Lubricants in Power Tracs

MossRoad · Mar 13, 2003

OK. Since we've had so many discussions on the subject of synthetic lubes in Power Tracs, here's a post that we can consolidate under. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I would suggest we start using the Oil, Fuel and Lubricants area on TBN for general discussion and this area for how it pertains directly to Power Tracs.

MossRoad · Mar 13, 2003

I switched the engine oil in my PT425 to Mobil1 at the first oil change. I am still researching the options for the hydraulic system. Looks expensive, but if I can get double the life of the system from a few hundred $$ of oil, it sounds like a good deal.

bubenberg · Mar 13, 2003

We have been using Mobil One for all our equipment and have had one Kohler engine reach 1800 hrs (Gravely ZTR)without any loss of power, no smoking or any associated problems with an engine that always runs at full trottle. commercial mowing is very hard on engines but i think we are ahead of the "curve" and changing oil only every 100hrs makes the cost of Mobil One palatable.

Charlie_Iliff · Mar 13, 2003

I have sent Terry an e-mail rehashing the questions that we never got answered last fall. There have been a number of inconsistent recommendations about viscosity, although they probably aren't really contradictory. (Lighter in winter, etc.) I'll post when (if) I hear anything from Tazewell.
If we assume that synthetic is better, which I certainly do, but my change is $425 to $450, what is the best viscosity to use, are there brand preferences, within brands, what choice should be made for application to the PT hydraulic system, are there additives, etc. ?? Is there any type of test result that we should be looking for.
Per MossRoad's suggestion, I'm also initiating a thread in the Lube forum.
Please chime in to that one or this one with recommendations, research resources, questions, etc.

johara1 · Mar 13, 2003

this is the area we should address,heat is the killer of these little machines that are at the edge. with pto running and pulling a 20 % slope,maybe we are too much?
i think what pt has done with the 425 is the answer but only time will tell.
i still think syn. oil will help the 422 if has a problem and one of the hardest things on any machine is to go to work cold, like plowing snow. syn. will help there also

johara1 · Mar 13, 2003

bubenburg,
i see you take good care of your equip.i always used airo shell, in the old kohlers. due to the low ash, it was made for air cooled 4 cycles.in the last 3 or 4 years i also went to mobil one,if any thing it was for the better,i didn't have any neg. results. i use to buy it at walmart in the 5 qt. containers but they don't have any more. i heard gravely made woods ztr's is this true?

Charlie_Iliff · Mar 13, 2003

Some basics attached

Anonymous Poster · Mar 13, 2003

Great article...thanks Charlie

kcook · Mar 13, 2003

The Amsoil I used in my Diesel is standard weight of 15W-40 but is pourable to -47 below!

KC

duane · Mar 14, 2003

A while back, there was a post in the lube section about Case skid steers using a diesel rated 10W-30 oil with one quart of Case HTO additive to the 10 gallon reservoir. The oil change interval was at 1000 hrs. The reported concern with S rated oils (for gas, spark, engines) is that the newer blends are reducing the anti-wear products to some degree since it can harm catalytic converters.

FWIW
Duane