Oil For K301S

[FarmallFarmer09 12]

Ive got a kohler k301s in my wheel horse charger 12 im currently restoring, And i have to quit restoration halfway thru, Because it got COLD here in indiana QUICK. i want to be able to plow snow which will be about 3-4 times this year with my wh. Usually its above freezing or in the 10s to 20s. Im sick of scrolling through Pages seeing what oil is best for my engine based on what im doing. I want year round oil, But ive got 5-6 quarts of SAE-30 laying around and a few 10w-30 quarts from our cub cadet. What should i use? Ive heard all different kinds of stuff and i just want someone to tell me what's safe so i can "get r' dun". Id appreciate any help, Thanks 🙏🏻 

[FarmallFarmer09 12]

Not looking to spend a crazy amount on oil, And i want something that i can get at a menards or napa for cheap. i also have a sunstrand Hydrostatic Transmission on the back, And i was told if it was red it uses automatic transmission fluid. And the fluid inside the trannie was red. How much atf does it need? Anyone know?

Edited 22 hours ago by FarmallFarmer09

[ebinmaine 74,545]

8 minutes ago, FarmallFarmer09 said:

SAE-30

 

This. 

 

But.....

 

8 minutes ago, FarmallFarmer09 said:

laying around

 

Engine oil should NOT be used after 3 to 5 years on the shelf. 

 

Most important thing is to change the oil.  

[FarmallFarmer09 12]

Bought it this year. google says sae-30 SHOULD NOT be used. Maybe i need to stop trusting everything on the internet lol. Thank you

[FarmallFarmer09 12]

Its napa brand sae 30 non detergent oil. We used it in our farmall and had some left over. 

[ebinmaine 74,545]

9 minutes ago, FarmallFarmer09 said:

non detergent

OK that's a NO

[ebinmaine 74,545]

Kohler manual should state you want HD 30. 

WITH  detergent....

[pfrederi 18,969]

Tranny hold 5 qts if completely emptied out.  4 is usually enough for a change.  Dex/Merc       Wix 51410 filter

[FarmallFarmer09 12]

what oil shall i use then? Someone suggested shell rotella t5? 10W-30? I don't have a manual...

[ebinmaine 74,545]

Manuals can be downloaded here on Redsquare. 

I personally use Kinetix brand. 

Shell Rotella is good. 

 

HD 30 is the viscosity. 

[FarmallFarmer09 12]

Alrighty. 1-2 Qts of HD Sae 30, And 4 qts of ATF. Picked up that exact hydro filter this morning. Thanks guys! 

[rmaynard 16,586]

I have used straight 30w in all my Kohlers since 1993. Sometimes I used detergent, sometimes non-detergent. It doesn't seem to make any difference as long as you change it regularly. As far as temperature is concerned, the 30w in mine has worked well in all temperatures. 

Transmission oil should be checked for water. A transmission that lives in an unheated environment can freeze and leave you disabled until thawed.

[FarmallFarmer09 12]

So i can use Non detergent on my engine?

[lynnmor 8,077]

SAE 30 detergent oil above 32 degrees, 10W-30 below.  I use Kohler oil since all automotive oils have been altered to suit the emissions control parts.

[RED-Z06 2,680]

17 hours ago, FarmallFarmer09 said:

Bought it this year. google says sae-30 SHOULD NOT be used. Maybe i need to stop trusting everything on the internet lol. Thank you

SAE30HD would be fine, but Non-Detergent oil is meant for Power Washer Pumps, Compressor Pumps...its a quick way to kill a gasoline engine because the lack of detergents causes the oil to break down and sludge up 

[FarmallFarmer09 12]

is there any way i can use Sae 30 in under that temp, Or the same for 10w-30, Can i use it above that temp? Ive heard that i can use sae 30 under the recommended temp, But i need to let the engine warm up before driving, Is this true?

[RED-Z06 2,680]

48 minutes ago, FarmallFarmer09 said:

is there any way i can use Sae 30 in under that temp, Or the same for 10w-30, Can i use it above that temp? Ive heard that i can use sae 30 under the recommended temp, But i need to let the engine warm up before driving, Is this true?

SAE30 High Detergent is a good summer oil, most people run 10w30 or 10w40 year round, if it's very cold you can run a 5w30.

 

 

[RED-Z06 2,680]

I cant find Rmaynards post here but, yes Detergents and Surfactants keep particles in suspension and prevent them from settling out because thats where the sludge comes from, you want that stuff to stay in the oil so it can be drained out, once it settles you cant get it out by draining.  Manufacturers have recommended Detergent Oils for as far back as i can find literature for.  Valvoline specs it for gearboxes, hydraulic systems, some supercharger manufacturers spec it for their gearboxes...because theres no combustion contaminants to deal with.

[kpinnc 15,692]

4 hours ago, lynnmor said:

SAE 30 detergent oil above 32 degrees, 10W-30 below.  I use Kohler oil since all automotive oils have been altered to suit the emissions control parts.

 

 

Or Rotella diesel engine oils. Available in straight 30w or multiweight grades for cold weather. 

[lynnmor 8,077]

Just now, kpinnc said:

 

 

Or Rotella diesel engine oils. Available in straight 30w or multiweight grades for cold weather. 

I simply posted the information contained in his Kohler manual.  Yes, we can experiment with all kinds of oils but I think it is best to show the manufacturers recommendation and leave the decision to the owner of the engine. 

I do use 30 in colder temperatures than shown in the charts but my winter tractors are kept at room temperature before use.  That still isn't correct since the crankcase likely won't stay up to operating temperature over time in extreme cold.  But that is just me and I won't tell others to follow my habits.

[kpinnc 15,692]

19 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

I simply posted the information contained in his Kohler manual.  Yes, we can experiment with all kinds of oils

 

Oh I was agreeing with you completely. I use Vanguard oil in those brand engines as it has anti-wear additives no longer available in automotive oils due to emissions regulations. It is supposedly designed specifically for the specific engine by the engineers who design them... Supposedly.  

 

I only mentioned Rotella as a second choice because Rotella diesel oils do not have the same restrictions as typical automotive oils. They have zinc additives similar to small engine oils. 

 

And of course regularly changing the oil is paramount. I would use high quality automotive oil in a pinch with no loss of sleep as a result. It is beter to have clean oil in the case than not. It's just automotive grade is typically not my first choice. 

Edited 34 minutes ago by kpinnc

[FarmallFarmer09 12]

Alright. Thanks for the help. I think ill just throw in the Sae 30 and just hope for the best. We used the Non-Detergent SAE-30 in our farmall, Which does have a oil pump. Thanks for all the help guys i very much do appreciate it.

Edited 8 minutes ago by FarmallFarmer09