Yet another Rotella question

[AOW162435]

Automotive & machinery forums can always benefit from just one more engine oil thread, right?

With that nonsense out of the way, I would appreciate some fresh thoughts on Shell Rotella preferences (T4/T5/T6). I purchased a new LX2620 earlier this year and have thoroughly enjoyed using it for mowing, loader & grapple work on our WV property. Although I still have the '79 B7100 that I originally bought for the property, the LX is a completely different animal, and better suited for my needs.

I'm coming up on 50 hours and will do the first oil change as well as the HST & suction filters. Over the years, I've always used Rotella T4 for my '03 JD x595 and the B7100. I'm under the impression that Kubota ships the LX with conventional oil, and am thus inclined to continue on that path from here on out. The tractor will lead a relatively easy life, will accumulate about the same hours every year, and is stored indoors.

For an annual oil change like this, my gut says that the conventional T4 oil is perfectly fine. Lastly, I have nothing against synthetic oil, and use it in a few of our cars.

Thoughts?

Andreas

 

[TheOldHokie]

Automotive & machinery forums can always benefit from just one more engine oil thread, right?

With that nonsense out of the way, I would appreciate some fresh thoughts on Shell Rotella preferences (T4/T5/T6). I purchased a new LX2620 earlier this year and have thoroughly enjoyed using it for mowing, loader & grapple work on our WV property. Although I still have the '79 B7100 that I originally bought for the property, the LX is a completely different animal, and better suited for my needs.

I'm coming up on 50 hours and will do the first oil change as well as the HST & suction filters. Over the years, I've always used Rotella T4 for my '03 JD x595 and the B7100. I'm under the impression that Kubota ships the LX with conventional oil, and am thus inclined to continue on that path from here on out. The tractor will lead a relatively easy life, will accumulate about the same hours every year, and is stored indoors.

For an annual oil change like this, my gut says that the conventional T4 oil is perfectly fine. Lastly, I have nothing against synthetic oil, and use it in a few of our cars.

Thoughts?

Andreas

T4 is fine. T6 offers the added choice of a 5W40 grade for improved cold weather startup.

Dan

 

[McMXi]

Given the Amazon price of $72 for 3 gallons of Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic 5W-40 vs. $48 for 3 gallons of Shell Rotella T4 15W-40 I know which I'd choose. But I'm a little biased since I only run 5W-40 fully synthetic in all five diesel engines and fully synthetic oil in the Jeep and Yamaha outboard. Basically, I only run conventional oil in things like chain saws (mixed of course), the lawn mower and such.

But as Dan said above, T4 will do just fine, and you can save that $24 for something important like a large pizza.

 

[pigdoc]

If by "conventional oil" you mean dino juice (as opposed to synthetic), I have a comment.

Most casual use diesel owners are never going to benefit from synthetic. Especially with diesels, you'll want to change oil because of the heavy soot (or other contaminant) load in it before you worry about it losing its lubricity.

If you drove a car at highway speed, 50 hours is about 3000 miles, right? And, all of that is off-idle.

I was contemplating a 50-hr oil change at the end of this season (now) in my G1800. I have pretty much settled on Traveller 15W-40 HD Diesel Oil for $16.99 a gallon (Tractor Supply). It took me more than 3 years to rack up 50 hours! It's what I run in my 6BT Cummins truck.

-Paul