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Post by horseyrider on Aug 16, 2019 18:45:48 GMT
I'm trying hard to be a good owner and change the oil on different equipment when the manuals specify. And it's time to change both the lawnmower and my RTV. The manual on the RTV says to use 10W30 oil. I have 5W30, but that's not what the manual says. So, I climb in the Prius and travel on down to the local Farm and Fleet to get some 10W30. I make my way to the area where tires and lubricants are sold, and I find the oil. I find 10W30. Great, right? But I quickly put the brakes on (there's a pun for ya) because, guess what I see? 10W30. And 10W30 for diesel engines.  I had no idea there was a difference. Both the RTV and lawn mower are diesel. But when the guy from the dealership came out the previous spring to give them a once-over, i don't recall any special oil. So, what makes them different from one another? And another question: I use full synthetic oil in my car and truck. I'm told vehicles lasts longer that way. Is there a difference there for stuff at home? Thank you in advance for your patience. I'm a quick learner, but there are so many things with which I've had little or no exposure. |
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Post by Cabin Fever on Aug 16, 2019 19:14:06 GMT
Diesel oil has more additives than gasoline engine oil. An important diesel additive is a zinc-phosphate compound. If you were to use a diesel oil in a modern gasoline engine, this additive would plug the catalytic converter. Chances are your owner manuals not only state the recommended oil viscosity (eg, 10W-30) but it probably also provides the API symbol of the recommended oil. An example of a diesel oil and gasoline oil API symbol are given below, both have the same viscosity, but the symbols are different.   Diesel on left, gasoline on right |
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Post by bluemingidiot on Aug 16, 2019 21:02:41 GMT
If the engines are diesel seems like the manual would have specified 10W 30 for diesel engines other than just providing the symbol.
I use to be bullied around by owner's manuals for gasoline engines too. And 10W will lubricate the engine a little bit better. But now when my own parts warranties are either expired or close to expiring, I would have used the 5W 30. 5W 30 is usually a lot better in an engine than dirty, low or definitely no oil.
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Post by Jolly on Aug 16, 2019 21:40:14 GMT
There are synthetics available for diesels now.
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Post by horseyrider on Aug 16, 2019 21:50:12 GMT
If the engines are diesel seems like the manual would have specified 10W 30 for diesel engines other than just providing the symbol. I use to be bullied around by owner's manuals for gasoline engines too. And 10W will lubricate the engine a little bit better. But now when my own parts warranties are either expired or close to expiring, I would have used the 5W 30. 5W 30 is usually a lot better in an engine than dirty, low or definitely no oil. Thanks, guys! bluemingidiot, here's the rub. I'm finding that many of these manuals make a great deal of assumptions about what a person reading them might know. The worst is my Woods mower manual. There isn't even an engine, it's PTO; but it does require maintenance. It's still largely a mystery, using terms I have to get my phone out and google, and dead ends in explanations. The best manual is my ancient Troy Bilt. They wrote for people like me! Lots of pictures, too! The manuals for the mower and the RTV don't specify diesel oil. But they also make each in gasoline engines, too; and many times, the manuals are very general, covering a myriad of different product variations. Hence my question. They don't specify diesel oil for diesel, or gasoline oil for gas engines.... The oil symbol info is interesting, Cabin Fever! I figured there was info there, but I didn't know what that meant. Thanks! |
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Post by bluemingidiot on Aug 16, 2019 21:59:08 GMT
The manuals for the mower and the RTV don't specify diesel oil. But they also make each in gasoline engines, too; and many times, the manuals are very general, covering a myriad of different product variations. Hence my question. They don't specify diesel oil for diesel, or gasoline oil for gas engines.... That has a very strong smell of a class action against the manufacturer. |
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Post by Cabin Fever on Aug 16, 2019 22:39:22 GMT
What is the brand and model of your mower and RTV?
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Post by Cabin Fever on Aug 16, 2019 22:47:07 GMT
I am not sure about RTVs, but our ATVs require a special oil because the engine oil is shared by the transmission.  |
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Post by mountainlover on Aug 17, 2019 3:59:21 GMT
I'm trying hard to be a good owner and change the oil on different equipment when the manuals specify. And another question: I use full synthetic oil in my car and truck. I'm told vehicles lasts longer that way. Is there a difference there for stuff at home? You are being a good owner by servicing your mowers and ATVs when they need to be and not putting it off! We use a synthetic blend, not full synthetic ourselves. I read about it a long time ago that it really only mattered if you lived in a place that was pretty cold but also got warm. Something about the viscosity and flowing well due to that. If you live in a place that's warm all the time then I don't think it matters if you don't do synthetic at all. In another thread @comfortablynumb, seemed really knowledgeable about cars. So I'll tag him here, hope he can be more helpful to you! |
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Post by Jolly on Aug 17, 2019 9:56:23 GMT
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Post by horseyrider on Aug 17, 2019 10:07:29 GMT
What is the brand and model of your mower and RTV? , the RTV is a Kubota Workhorse. Has a nice big dumper on the back that's hydraulic. The mower is a Grasshopper. Has a nice big vacuum dumper on the back that's hydraulic too, and the deck goes vertical for cleaning with the flick of a switch. That's also hydraulic. I don't think the oil is shared with the transmission; but I could be wrong. There was no specification in the manual for ATV oil that I recall. I'm finding myself wishing I could just drive them on into Jiffy Lube.  Jolly and mountainlover, thanks so much! I'm off to read about oil. |
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Post by Cabin Fever on Aug 17, 2019 14:43:15 GMT
The Kubota Workhouse Owner's Manual indicates that a diesel oil (API CF or higher designation) should be used (see below):  The Grasshopper's manual directs the owner to consult the Owner's Manual for the particular engine that is in the mower. Evidently, the Grasshoppers could have a Briggs and Stratton, Kohler, or Kubota engine in them. If I knew which engine model is in your Grasshopper, I could probably find which oil is recommended for use by the manufacturer. |
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Post by horseyrider on Aug 17, 2019 21:05:10 GMT
Oh! Cabin Fever, you rock! I didn't know enough to know yet was the CF meant! Thank you! The Grasshopper is a 25hp Kubota engine. That would be so cool if you could help!  |
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Post by Cabin Fever on Aug 17, 2019 23:06:53 GMT
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Post by bluemingidiot on Aug 18, 2019 3:11:58 GMT
The Kubota Workhouse Owner's Manual indicates that a diesel oil (API CF or higher designation) should be used (see below): The Grasshopper's manual directs the owner to consult the Owner's Manual for the particular engine that is in the mower. Evidently, the Grasshoppers could have a Briggs and Stratton, Kohler, or Kubota engine in them. If I knew which engine model is in your Grasshopper, I could probably find which oil is recommended for use by the manufacturer. Thank you. I believe no more than five out of a hundred people understand a owner's manual to the degree you do. There is too much information, it is a language (or terminology) most people are not familiar with, and full of codes most people have no familiarity with. I think you could give Americans and open owner's manual test and most wouldn't be able to pass it. The highlighted yellow should read, "Diesel engine oil." |
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Post by horseyrider on Aug 18, 2019 18:25:14 GMT
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