12 hp cast iron Kohler motor oil to use going into winter

[Oberg111 5]

I have a 1971 Wheel Horse charger 12 with a 12 horsepower motor in it wondering what the best oil to use is going into winter going to be plowing snow with it and if there is a good engine additive for the oil to put in with it

[pfrederi 17,147]

5w-30

[rmaynard 14,893]

Contrary to what Paul suggested, I use nothing but straight 30W year round.

[Ed Kennell 35,767]

Like Bob, I use 30W year round.   But I do keep my winter horses ( plows and blowers)  inside a heated garage.    I am not sure if the 30W would cause starting problems at lower temps.

[Jerry77 1,218]

5w-30 or 10w-30  --seems like a good choice - my  pole barn isn't heated, so wouldn't want to use straight 30w..

[Ed Kennell 35,767]

The manual actually states:

 

above 30F      use 30W

0-30F              use 10W30

below zero      use 5W20

Edited October 23, 2016 by Ed Kennell

[Achto 26,548]

5 hours ago, Oberg111 said:

if there is a good engine additive for the oil to put in with i

I add a little Lucas oil treatment to all my engine oil, about 10%. On the ones that tend to smoke a little I add a heavier mixture up to 50%.

[Oberg111 5]

Do you use the synthetic Lucas or the conventional

, I am a fan of both I use the synthetic in my diesel truck

[Achto 26,548]

I use the conventional. I only use conventional oil in my older engines so I stick with the same on the Lucas. Only reason I don't use synthetics on my older engines is that I experienced a leaking issue after using it once. Don't know if it reacted badly with the seals or what. My newer engines get nothing but synthetic.

[slammer302 2,154]

I'm on the fence about what oil to use for winter. Thinking about using 10w-30 full synthetic with alittle Lucas heavy duty oil stabilizer. I don't have a heated grarge. If I did would probably stick with 30wt.

[Shynon 7,435]

4 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

I use 30W year round.   But I do keep my winter horses ( plows and blowers)  inside a heated garage

[pfrederi 17,147]

12 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

The manual actually states:

 

above 30F      use 30W

0-30F              use 10W30

below zero      use 5W30

 

I read it as below 30 you can use either 5w-30 or 10w-30 when it goes below zero 5w-30 is prefrred

 

[Ed Kennell 35,767]

    This is from the OP manual.

[erwine13b 27]

Anyone ever use the oil that they make for actual walk behind snowblowers? I use it in my snowblower, but am not sure if I I should put it into my WH for snowblowing as this is my first year using a snowblower.

Anyone ever use the oil that they make for actual walk behind snowblowers? I use it in my snowblower, but am not sure if I I should put it into my WH for snowblowing as this is my first year using a snowblower.

Anyone ever use the oil that they make for actual walk behind snowblowers? I use it in my snowblower, but am not sure if I I should put it into my WH for snowblowing as this is my first year using a snowblower.