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

 

[McMXi]

Out of interest, does the LX2620 have EGR? Obviously no DPF but am curious about EGR.

 

[lmichael]

If you have a Sam's Club nearby they have great prices on Rotella T6

 

[John T]

Over the years, I've always used Rotella T4

I use T4 in just about everything I own.

 

[jyoutz]

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

Synthetic oil at 5W-40 weight is far better than dino 15W-40 in cold weather. It’s obvious that the engine starts better and runs quieter with the synthetic.

 

[AOW162435]

Thank you for the replies. My original post is merely asking for feedback on what others here prefer (T4/T5/T6) - it's not about the cost. If I was servicing a fleet of farm equipment, then I could see where cost would become a consideration. A 4.2qt oil change, once a year, is just that.

I'm not sure on the EGR, but I'm inclined to think the D1305 does not have it.

Again, the tractor will continue to operate as it's done throughout this year - 50 to 60 hours annually.

Andreas

 

[lmichael]

For the small difference in price doesn't make sense to go with less than T6 (or something like it)

 

[Runs With Scissors]

The first 15’ish years of "my Cummins's" life was run on T3

The next 4’ish was on T4.

I then found a “stupid crazy rebate” deal on T6…..and now I have a “stupid crazy” amount of it to run for the next few years.

Use whatever Rotella you want, and “run it like you stole it".

 

[GeoHorn]

Makes no difference if EGR is involved or not. And with the information supplied by AOW… there’s no reason to believe synthetic will do anything for him or the tractor. Conventional is good. Has worked for thousands for decades and your tractor will outlive all of us on conventional. Any conventional.…it doesn’t even have to be Shell. Chevron/Delo/SuperTech are all fine oils also.

 

[aledub]

I'm a big fan of T6 and use it in almost everything that can use it. It's available now in 15w-40 which is what i use in both tractors, but I've got down to 0w-40 because it can get pretty cold up here.

 

[Ridger]

You stated you purchased a new LX2620 earlier this year. All of the oil brands mentioned above are great choices; however, I wonder if using an oil other than the manufacturer's recommendation could jeopardize your warranty. Just a thought.

 

[hagrid]

I wonder if using an oil other than the manufacturer's recommendation could jeopardize your warranty. Just a thought.

AND... what if OP does the work themselves rather than have their Kubota dealer perform the service?

 

[TheOldHokie]

AND... what if OP does the work themselves rather than have their Kubota dealer perform the service?

AND... what if the OP uses a third party oil filter.

FUD RULES in oil threads!!

 

[AOW162435]

Unless something truly warranty-worthy happens, I will perform all maintenance myself. Like I've done my entire life on anything mechanical I've owned.

Thanks for the responses so far.

Andreas

 

[dirtydeed]

another vote for the 5W-40 T6 here.

 

[GeoHorn]

another vote for the 5W-40 T6 here.

Phantastic ….. a guy comes to the owners forum…..asks a simple question….and gets an answer guaranteed to violate the Owner’s Manual recommendation. (Hint: There is Only ONE oil-viscosity recommended for ALL / ANY temperature: See if you can discover it):

Kubota LX2620 Owner’s Manual:

 

[TheOldHokie]

Phantastic ….. a guy comes to the owners forum…..asks a simple question….and gets an answer guaranteed to violate the Owner’s Manual recommendation. (Hint: There is Only ONE oil-viscosity recommended for ALL / ANY temperature: See if you can discover it):

Kubota LX2620 Owner’s Manual:

View attachment 165906

Plot the actual viscosity curves for 10W30 and 5W40. You might find it revealing.

Grade 5W40 covers the extremes of all of Kubota's viscosity recommendations including "all-season" 10W30 in a single oil and does it better.