Winter Engine oil ?

[Brockport Bill 2,216]

 we are told ---- the kohler engines are designed for SAE 30 oil above 32 degrees --- and a thinner oil is designed for use during colder winter temps -- eg: 5w-30.

 

Question: if a tractor is kept indoors -- at 55 degrees during winter before starting -- is it ok to keep the SAE 30 weight oil in it for winter since the oil will not be cold before starting  -- and then oil stays warm once its running?

[Bill D 2,595]

Yes, that would be fine.

[ebinmaine 77,323]

38 minutes ago, Bill D said:

Yes, that would be fine.

 

 

[ri702bill 11,254]

16 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

, and That...

[squonk 45,500]

I run 30W Rotella all year round. Cold weather or not.

[Retired Wrencher 6,448]

1 hour ago, squonk said:

I run 30W Rotella all year round. Cold weather or not.

Mike I have tried it and unless you have a non ACR engine. That Is why bought a block heater.  Been running 10 W 30. Starts good now. 

Edited January 6 by Retired Wrencher

[oldlineman 1,647]

I'm with Squonk on this one I have a 1979 c-101 (bought new) kept in unheated shed, used for only snow removal now and have used Rotella 30 for many years . No engine problems, a little oil use, not much, but it is almost a 50 year oil engine! Oil changed yearly since it doesn't mow grass anymore but has moved tons of snow in its life.

[Ed Kennell 44,859]

30W Mobil 1 year round for mine.    My wood hauling snow plowing tractor is stored in the heated shop during the winter.

[rjg854 12,841]

1 hour ago, oldlineman said:

I'm with Squonk on this one

I also run straight 30 weight year round, tractors are in a cold barn, they all start right up. 

 

3 hours ago, squonk said:

I run 30W Rotella all year round. Cold weather or not.

 

[sqrlgtr 2,165]

40 minutes ago, rjg854 said:

I also run straight 30 weight year round, tractors are in a cold barn, they all start right up. 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, squonk said:

I run 30W Rotella all year round. Cold weather or not.

 

I run straight Rotella 30w year round also. No problems. Forgot to add I have used the Valvoline racing oil also it is specifically designed for solid lifters.

Edited January 6 by sqrlgtr

[squonk 45,500]

The engine in my 857 is from my 875. It's non ACR and starts right up.

[oldlineman 1,647]

Mine lives in a cold outside shed with a battery tender on it, has lived like this for over 40 years and as long as the battery is good, starts every time in the winter.

[rjg854 12,841]

I don't see any difference in the way each tractor starts,  no matter if it's summer or winter.

[sqrlgtr 2,165]

5 hours ago, squonk said:

The engine in my 857 is from my 875. It's non ACR and starts right up.

My non ACR 701 is same way.

[ebinmaine 77,323]

42 minutes ago, rjg854 said:

I don't see any difference in the way each tractor starts,  no matter if it's summer or winter.

 

My Kohler K341s  DEFINITELY don't like the cold. 

They're very hard starting below about 25⁰

 

Below 0⁰  .....  ?

 

Better than fair chance NO tractor around here is starting without being charged and/ or heated.  

 

 

Edited January 6 by ebinmaine

[oldlineman 1,647]

I went out to plow about a week ago and it was 16 deg. tractor cranked a little but fired up and after letting it warm up the tranny, we plowed about and hour and a half with no problems. I run only fresh corn free gas.

[Brockport Bill 2,216]

3 hours ago, oldlineman said:

I went out to plow about a week ago and it was 16 deg. tractor cranked a little but fired up and after letting it warm up the tranny, we plowed about and hour and a half with no problems. I run only fresh corn free gas.

what engine oil spec?

[oldlineman 1,647]

Rotella HD 30, IMHO best oil for older solid tappet engines .