10W-30 in a diesel?

Rolling Stock · Jun 27, 2016

I have a L4350DT. The owners manual says use 10w-30 motor oil. I have never heard of a diesel engine taking 10w-30, usually it is 15w-40 Diesel grade. Any input, words of wisdom or advise would be appreciated.

I tried searching this on the forum and all I saw was the typical synthetic vs dino stuff, nothing about viscosity.

Thanks.

Daren Todd · Jun 27, 2016

They make 30wt oil in a diesel grade. Should be there with the 15w40 at the auto parts store or wally world

Rolling Stock · Jun 27, 2016

I work in an industrial processing plant, our management required us to buy our oil from an oil supplier. I was hoping to not have to stock another oil if I could get away with it, lots of red tape if I do unfortunately. If I do run 15w-40 what could go wrong and has anyone done it? This tractor will be running everyday for several hours each day. I also do not know the history of this tractor, we just acquired it so I am starting over from scratch.

rbargeron · Jun 27, 2016

No worries - lots of Kubota's small diesels are used in tractors, skid steers, and stationary equipment. Kubota factory owner's manuals often list 10w-30 and 10w-40 as the recommended oil. The actual difference between these and 15w-40 is not perceptible to most owners. Shell has done a good job of promoting their Rotella 15w-40 oil for diesels - claiming the additives lock up the microscopic soot in diesel exhaust making it less abrasive, hence giving better service life of the oil. But again most owners won't see a difference that can be traced to the oil used. The bigger factors are change intervals and operating conditions (like running hot with plugged radiator, low coolant, loose belt, etc) No subject gets more hot air devoted to it, with less actual value added. 10w30 or 10w40 or 15w40 are all just fine.

Tooljunkie · Jun 27, 2016

15/40 is all my little diesel gets. I never really use it in winter so i think its fine.

North Idaho Wolfman · Jun 27, 2016

Like others have said swap to 15w-40 and you'll be fine.

85Hokie · Jun 27, 2016

Rolling Stock said:
I work in an industrial processing plant, our management required us to buy our oil from an oil supplier. I was hoping to not have to stock another oil if I could get away with it, lots of red tape if I do unfortunately. If I do run 15w-40 what could go wrong and has anyone done it? This tractor will be running everyday for several hours each day. I also do not know the history of this tractor, we just acquired it so I am starting over from scratch.

stick with your 15w-40.....and nothing will go wrong. As others have said - most of us USE that in all of our diesels.

RCW · Jun 27, 2016

I use Rotella T6 5-40, and have been happy with it. Of course, that's a full synthetic.

Don't have a block heater - my mistake - and I think the 5 weight helps with cold starts. Not sure how cold it gets in your part of WA, but it gets darn cold here sometimes. My tractor is in an unheated garage, but it can get to 20F occasionally where it is stored. Normal is over 32 but the 5 weight helps, I think...I used the 15-40 before the T6.

eddiebob · Jun 27, 2016

Shell Rotella 15-40 is the gold standard. I've run it in my diesel truck for 15 years and my scut for 20. It's an easy choice. Ed B

Billdog350 · Jun 28, 2016

I have run 10w30 Rotella in my Kubota's for easily 8+ years with no issues. They start great in cold weather and are fine with oil pressure and such.

Because I run my machine year round with the same oil (change once a year or every 100hrs), I like having the thinner viscosity for cold temp startups. I rarely am running my machine hard at 90+ deg temps, or even 85+deg so it makes more sense to me to run the 10w30 Rotella like the Kubota manual states. On the flip side, I start my machine regularly in temps below 30 all winter.

I'm sure 15w40 would work fine as well, but i've noticed engines turn over a little slower in cold temps with the thicker oil, putting more strain on starter and also delaying lubrication to parts until the oil gets pumped up there.

clay45 · Jun 28, 2016

10W30 Rotella in mine as well. Good for all year.

phaser · Jun 28, 2016

Full synthetic Amsoil 15-40 heavy-duty diesel and marine oil for my B7100

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10W-30 in a diesel?

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