Synthitic Oils?? In a K301

[Raider12 13]

A couple of friends have suggested I run a pure synthitic oil in my tractor. Im a little concerned about this idea. HAs any one been using these oils in the WH?

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,162]

Oh boy . Here comes the "Big Oil Debate".

Personally I dont use synthetics in my older tractors but do use it in my 2 newer ones but plenty of guys use it in everything(one member even sells the stuff).

I think the type of oil you use should be whatever keeps your mind at ease while your mowing tall wet grass at 3600 rpms. I'm at ease with the conventional oil in most of my tractors so thats what I run. If I thought I was doin damage with it I would switch over to a synthetic.

Mike..........

[DOC in Kentucky 178]

B) Synthetic Oils !!!!

I can't believe Duke hasn't jumped all over this yet. I haven't seen a post from him in awhile either

Duke? Red Square to Duke, come in???

Here's your chance to win over another RS member???

I am sure he will be chiming in shortly

:whistle:

[Kelly 1,033]

I use reg. oil in them till I get them in top running shape then use Synthetic oils Because they can set for long pieriods even years with little to no use and it does not break down like conv. oil.

I also run Mobil1 in my truck and race cars, but that is me, use what you want just keep it full and clean, Walmart sells 30wt and it works fine.

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

I am paraphrasing, but here are the relevant points from Kohler

1) You must follow the same maintenance schedule with synthetic as regular.

2) Straight 30 is preferred over multi-weight oil. Oil consumption will be higher with multi-weight.

I have see straight 30 weight in synthetic, but it may exist.

[illinilefttackle 399]

B) Radiar 12-Your asking a question that I think does not have an easy answer. I use synthetic in cars, trucks,etc. But I haven't really decided about them in my K-301. I'm just finishing up a rebuild, boreing, new piston,rod,valves,crank bearings,etc. I'm going to break it in with reg 30w oil, but after that I'm not sure-Ive read all the stats on synthetics- but they don't make a straight 30w. I guess I'm deabating the superior lubrication and heat control of synthetics-against the proper weight oil that Kohler recommends. I still don't know what I'll do.

My son is a mechanical engineer and he swears by synthetics-he tells me "to catch up with the times" I guess Ill just have to sleep on it.

Wheres Horse Fixer when ya need him?-AL

[Raider12 13]

I do know that my self I would not use the synthitic in a "Brand New" of rebuilt engine until it had enough time to break in the rings etc. And years ago I was mowing a large field and the rod let go in this engine. When I took the rod and crank down to the local dealer, his mechanic looked at and the first thing he said was, "Your not running 30w "regualer oil" are you? he said this is the kind of thing that will cause this problem. So I have never ran it again. But that was several years ago and the new synthitic oils are better and different. I do use the synthitics in my K-3500 and other vehicles. Just a bit SCARED to use it in my Raidar12.

[Kelly 1,033]

Not sure about other brands but Mobil1 has 30w but it's $6 a quart

[Docwheelhorse 2,740]

I run Mobil 1 15/50 in all my tractor type stuff and haven't had any trouble, Recently (last 5 years in my SUV) I have run Shells Rotella T 15/40 (conventional ...) and have been quite impressed in its performance--167,000 and the motor sounds/runs like new and doesn't burn a drop. I guess I would be happy running the Rotella in my tractors--I just run the Mobil because I have noticed it SEEMS to run better/cooler/cleaner ---maybe I have secumb to the advertising. I honestly believe that there is more room for errors--i.e. accidental overheating ---MICE--- and more protection available with a synthetic. Maybe I am wasting my money but thats my 2 cents (all I have left after buying a $23... bottle of 5 quarts! )

Tony

[linen beige 15]

Duke? Red Square to Duke, come in???

Don't reckon he fell into a barrel of Earl do ya?

[Curmudgeon 28]

I have a 1967 model year K-301 that's seen some hard use, with nothing but regular 30 weight oil in summer, and regular 10w30 in winter.

It's never been apart, it still runs like a champ, no extra noise, no knocks, no squeaks.

So I SERIOUSLY doubt "Your not running 30w "regualer oil" are you? whtractor/hide.gif he said this is the kind of thing that will cause this problem."

Like Mike said, whatever gives you piece of mind, just keep it changed and up to the proper level. You'll go YEARS without problems.

[rustbucket 4]

I will post in duke's place and prolly get hammered but SYNTHETIC ALL THE WAY AND I USE AMSOIL.

[Curmudgeon 28]

I will post in duke's place and prolly get hammered but SYNTHETIC ALL THE WAY AND I USE AMSOIL.

Since that gives you your piece of mind, that IS the way for you to go! :horseplay:

[baerpath 517]

I use CenPeco in everything trucks to pullers.

Like Dale says use what you feel is best for you and your engine.

Duane

[Curmudgeon 28]

I relate the dino vs. synthetic debate to the Ford vs Chevy vs Mopar. Or even Pennzoil vs. Quaker State vs Valvoline. There will ALWAYS be someone swearing for or at, each of these. Someone has had a terrible experience with one, and will say stay away, that brand is the root cause of all the problems with the world. Someone else can attest to it's greatness and long life.

Kind of like Wheel Horse vs John Deere vs Cub. Each brand will have it's loyal followers, and each will have it's haters. Face it, they have all made some dang good little tractors, with a couple bone butt dumb mistakes thrown in for good measure.

So take your pick, want a red, green or yellow tractor? Do you want your oil to come in a green, black or yellow bottle? HEY!!!! Maybe THAT is the solution to this debate!!!!!!!!!!! Use the oil that comes in the same color jug as the color of the machine you are putting it in!

Problem solved!!!!!! Debate finally ended and put rest once and for all.

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,162]

Problem solved!!!!!! Debate finally ended and put rest once and for all.

HE HE, I doubt that its over. I dont think even you believe that its over either Dale .

Mike........

[oldandred 15]

O dale its not over just wait and see

now I put the cheapest oil as long as it meets the goverment regs,

lets fsce it oil is oil it all comes out of the ground :banana: :horseplay: B)

[Curmudgeon 28]

heh heh heh

I s'pose not, but hey, anything said from here on out, in this thread or any other, will simply be repeats of what has already been said. Maybe just rephrased is all.

Still, the debate will go on even though I try to claim it over. After all, who elected me debate commentator? OH YEAH, the guy in the mirror this morning, but even then, it was almost a split decision. slid through with just a 51% margin!!!!!!! as opposed to the landslide I expected going in.... :group:

[Teddy da Bear 11]

I will stick with tried and true, tested regular 30w oil.

[Docwheelhorse 2,740]

As long as you all agree to use what I use you will all be set and the debate can close!!! :banana:

Or maybe we can do the secret Folgers crystals commercial with oil as a substitute

It would sound like this

TODAY WE SECRETLY REPLACED FRANK IN NEW YORKS CENPECO CONVENTIONAL OIL WITH MOBIL 1 SYNTHETIC, LETS SEE IF HE NOTICES!!!

Frank---"WOW MY OIL NEVER RAN SO CLEAN OR LOOKED SO GOOD!!!!! I Love my CENPECO"

TV Announcer Guy "Well Frank thats because Tony here replaced it with Mobil 1"

Frank "Holy Quacomole!!!! I'm going to switch right now!!!!"

:horseplay:

I can see Frank now---> :whistle:

[64s 83]

The biggest difference between the two is YOU - are you going to do the maintenance? Two of my uncles have ben mechanics all of their lives (40+ years), and they taught me that maintenance makes more difference than any type of oil. I have regularly gotten over 200k on my vehicles 256k is the record - but NONE of them were junked because of engine failure.

So if you are not going to take care of your equiptment, use synthetic - the next owner will thank you.

If you are going to take care of your stuff (ie. REGULAR oil changes), conventional will do you fine.

B)

[linen beige 15]

The biggest difference between the two is YOU - are you going to do the maintenance? Two of my uncles have ben mechanics all of their lives (40+ years), and they taught me that maintenance makes more difference than any type of oil. I have regularly gotten over 200k on my vehicles 256k is the record - but NONE of them were junked because of engine failure.

So if you are not going to take care of your equiptment, use synthetic - the next owner will thank you.

If you are going to take care of your stuff (ie. REGULAR oil changes), conventional will do you fine.

VERY well said. I was going to stay out of this debate, but you reminded me of a good example. One of my families long time friends is a professional mechanic. He has a '63 1/2 Ford Galaxie with over 600,000 miles on it. He retired a '65 Ford Galaxie when the rust ate through the frame at over 900,000 miles. They HAVE both been overhauled to get there ( Not full rebuilds, he swears the '65 still has the original cam!). He runs nothing but Valvoline conventional oils. With religious oil and filter changes. Like you said, careful use and consistent maintenance is the secret.