Oil change recommendation on BX1870

Baymee

Member

Equipment
Kubota 1870 Wheelhorse 312A John Deere 316 John Deere LT155
Aug 23, 2021
60
18
8
Lehigh Vally, PA
The manual calls for an oil change every 200 hours. The Kuboda dealer also agrees and also says to use 15W-40 diesel type engine oil.

That will be about 4 years between oil changes at the rate I use it.

This seems too long to me. What's the consensus in the forum?
 

RCW

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
9,142
5,209
113
Chenango County, NY
I prefer once a year, regardless of hours.

I also do about 50 hours per year.

Will you use yours during the winter for snow?

If so, use 5w-40 instead of 15w-40.

The "15w" is heavier/thicker when cold. 5w is thinner cold, and helps the tractor turn easier when starting cold.
 
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85Hokie

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BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
Jul 13, 2013
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Bedford - VA
I prefer once a year, regardless of hours.

I also do about 50 hours per year.

Will you use yours during the winter for snow?

If so, use 5w-40 instead of 15w-40.

The "15w" is heavier/thicker when cold. 5w is thinner cold, and helps the tractor turn easier when starting cold.

What he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

5 is "mo" better than 15 weight in the cold !!!!!!! You engine spins faster - starts easier and wears less!

Now if you want to switch BACK to 15w40 in the hotter months..... that too is fine!
 
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Roadworthy

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L2501 HST
Aug 17, 2019
1,649
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Benton City, WA
I've never tracked hours for tractor oil changes. It's just something I do once a year for tractor, lawn mower, etc. Filter change happens at the same time.
 

Mark_BX25D

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Equipment
Bx25D
Jul 19, 2020
1,753
1,275
113
Virginia
I'm with them. Once a year is a minimum. If you hit that 400 hour mark sooner, you do it then. You have to consider both the amount of work the engine has done (hours) and the amount of time (months, years) the old oil sits in your engine. Why?

Oil changes are not just about getting rid of particles in the oil.

Oil gets contaminated with nasty chemicals that are the result of combustion. Some of those chemicals are acidic. Sounds nice? You don't want to leave that in there for a long time to work its wonders on your bearings.

 

Baymee

Member

Equipment
Kubota 1870 Wheelhorse 312A John Deere 316 John Deere LT155
Aug 23, 2021
60
18
8
Lehigh Vally, PA
I’ve always changed oil twice a year in my Deere. 10W-30 for the Summer and 5W-30 for the winter plowing. It’s cheap enough and I always have clean oil.

Considering the above info, I consider it cheap insurance too.
 
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thebicman

Active member

Equipment
B2601 + BX2755HD + 50" box blade
Feb 2, 2017
333
97
28
Ottawa, ontario
Twice a year. Change it before the grass cutting season and before the snow blowing season. It's a cheap price to pay to help guarantee your engine will last. Which tractor would you buy used. One that had its oil changed every couple of years or one that is over maintained.
 
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Cheryl

New member

Equipment
M5030
Aug 14, 2021
26
3
3
louie1456BP
I have an M5030. It's an older tractor. If I understand the manual correctly they say to use plain ole 10w30. The NAPA dealer, also a tractor man said to put 15w40 in it and gave me 3 gallons of some brand I didn't recognize because they were out of T4. I need to pick up another gallon because apparently it has almost 4 gallon capacity. Is 15w40 good for ANY diesel tractor, big and small, for summer?
 

RCW

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Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
9,142
5,209
113
Chenango County, NY
Cheryl - 15w-40 is a common weight for diesel-compatible motor oil.

That said, make sure the label says diesel certified.

For your “extra” gallon that you need, I would use the same brand/type your NAPA guy gave you. I wouldn’t mix stuff more than necessary.

Also, your manual may say oil capacity is 4 gallons, but often changing fluids it may not take what the rated capacity as listed. 3 gallons could get you pretty darned close.
 
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