L3540 Cold Weather Oil

[DLem]

Hey everyone, new to the forum, been using a Kubota L3540 on the farm (for yard and garden stuff and more) for the last number of years, but last year stepped up to full responsibility for it when the FIL passed.

Just hit 900 hours, I don't think he changed the oil at 800 (although the transmission oil did get changed, clean as a whistle). I'm in Saskatchewan, Canada, and I move snow with it in the cold barren winter. I'm likely going to go Amsoil as that's what I use in my vehicles, I'm more just wondering which I should go with. I operate this thing from -30 to +30 C, it's the workhorse around here and I want to keep it that way. Manual calls for 15W40 or 10W30, which of those should I go with, or does anyone run something that's 5W for the colder winters? Just wanna make sure I get what's best.

I will possibly be picking brains for more things around here too...

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Do you have and use a block heater? At -30 I think it'll be real hard to start, regardless of viscosity. I'd go with the 10w30, or maybe 5w40.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I moved to Rotella 5w-40 (from Kubota 10w-30) the last time I changed the oil in my 2501.

I would/am also consider(ing) 0w-40.

The 5w-40 was too good of a deal to pass up…hence the reason I have 20 gallons of it now.

I am also switching the truck over….Last week I used the last of my Rotella 15w-40 “stock pile”, so the next change he gets the 5-40 stuff.

Not very “scientific”, but it works for me.

I think the lower 1st number would benefit a guy in a colder climate like yourself.


Good Luck!!!!

 

[Trash Panda]

5w-40 is the way to go.

 

[DLem]

Thanks for all the replies!

Do you have and use a block heater? At -30 I think it'll be real hard to start, regardless of viscosity. I'd go with the 10w30, or maybe 5w40.

Yes, block heater is a must in this climate! Pretty sure it currently uses 15w40, but I don't know for certain. It's been a beast moving snow so far, just wanna keep it that way!

Will the 5w be concerning in the sweltering summer heat of +30 at all?

 

[Trash Panda]

Thanks for all the replies!



Yes, block heater is a must in this climate! Pretty sure it currently uses 15w40, but I don't know for certain. It's been a beast moving snow so far, just wanna keep it that way!

Will the 5w be concerning in the sweltering summer heat of +30 at all?

No, it will not.

Modern synthetic 5w-40’s are incredibly high quality oils. Our entire fleet of diesels have made the transition to 5w-40 year round in recent years.

It’s especially handy on equipment that only gets an annual oil change, but see temperature swings like you are talking about.

 

[Joisey]

I use Amsoil in my vehicles and have no problem with it. However, if you compare the specs for Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 to a comparable Amsoil product, the Rotella specs are head and shoulders above what Amsoil offers.

I use the Rotella T6 in my Kubota L47, my Husqvarna ZTH-6125 and all 4 stroke small engines. My Husqvarna is 26 years old and the V twin Kawasaki engine burns zero oil.

Not to mention that the Rotella costs at least 1/3 less than the Amsoil.

 

[Trash Panda]

I use Amsoil in my vehicles and have no problem with it. However, if you compare the specs for Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 to a comparable Amsoil product, the Rotella specs are head and shoulders above what Amsoil offers.

I use the Rotella T6 in my Kubota L47, my Husqvarna ZTH-6125 and all 4 stroke small engines. My Husqvarna is 26 years old and the V twin Kawasaki engine burns zero oil.

Not to mention that the Rotella costs at least 1/3 less than the Amsoil.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Thanks for all the replies!



Yes, block heater is a must in this climate! Pretty sure it currently uses 15w40, but I don't know for certain. It's been a beast moving snow so far, just wanna keep it that way!

Will the 5w be concerning in the sweltering summer heat of +30 at all?

I may have a change of heart. If it's been using 15w40, stay with it. My L35 and FordNH 3930 both recommend 10w30, but it's pretty hard to find in synthetic around here (southern US). So we've used 15w40. Once, on a flyer, I used 5w40 in the L35 - it cranked noticably faster, but I've gone back to 15w40. The temp gets to -10-15C here, but if it's much below freezing, I'm not out playing on a tractor.

My read on 5w vs 15w is once you're up to operating temp, the viscosity is about the same. So if your machine starts ok with 15w, stick with it. Otherwise, use 5w and it's not going to hurt anything.

BTW, there are people on this site more knowledgeable than I, for sure

 

[Joisey]

View attachment 176126

You can't please everyone, so you have to please yourself.

 

[Trash Panda]

You can't please everyone, so you have to please yourself.

It’s none of my business what you do behind closed doors.

 

[DLem]

You've all given me a lot to think about, I'll chew on this! I considered the Rotella as an Amsoil upgrade would be a me thing. I'm not sure what's in there. If I had to guess, maybe T4? I think I've seen an empty jug of that. There's a lot of empty jugs around here haha.

I might lean to the 15w40 Amsoil HD as a compromise rather than go full SS. Unless I see a super sale on T6 that makes me reconsider.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Other than saving a few dollars I see no advantage of 15W40 over 5W40 in your tractor.

Dan

 

[DLem]

Following PoTreeBoy's comment I had the same thought. 15w40 is likely what's in there now, so to me there's a logic to consistency. I may be overthinking that though?

Also to add, 5w40 isn't in the manual, is there a reason for that? Like, it's an 08, is 5w40 just more commonly used than it used to be?

 

[TheOldHokie]

Following PoTreeBoy's comment I had the same thought. 15w40 is likely what's in there now, so to me there's a logic to consistency. I may be overthinking that though?

Also to add, 5w40 isn't in the manual, is there a reason for that? Like, it's an 08, is 5w40 just more commonly used than it used to be?

Your manual doesn't mention CK-4:service rating either as that didn't exist in 2008. Bur thars what you are goung to get.

Grade 15W40 is typically a conventional formulation and has been the de facto industry standard for heavy duty diesel engine oils for decades.

Grade 5W40 is a modern synthetic with better cold and hot weather properties and is rapidly replacing 15W40 as the industry choice. It just costs more.

Simple as that.

Dan

 

[DLem]

Good to know, thanks! I know 5w40's been around longer than 20 years, but the fact that it's becoming more commonplace (especially newer synthetic formulas) makes sense.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I know 5w40's been around longer than 20 years.

Not as a heavy duty diesel oil.

Dan

 

[Joisey]

It’s none of my business what you do behind closed doors.

Bless your heart.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

thousands, probably closer to millions, of diesels are started in those temps regularly.
For about 6 weeks a year we are in those temp ranges and with good maintenance we rarely have starting problems.
for oil we follow the user manuals. On the l's I see 10w-30. We use full synthetic Shell Rotella T6.

3 hours in an un heated shed with dirt floor fully closed in for the block heaters have always been enough.
We also give them 3hrs, on a 2a trickle charger to warm the battery on regular use diesels. For rarely used diesels we often have the trickle chargers on all the time.
If tractor outside at those temp's then it becomes much more of a hassle contending with wind etc...


btw..... welcome



edit: BTW my experience with cold weather starting is fuel is more of a concern over 0w/5w/10w decisions. If you are not keeping it seasonally appropriate (say not burning a tank every couple of weeks from a high use source) not being concerned with anti gelling, bio contamination and / or water, problems will follow quickly regardless of best efforts on oil and block heaters.

cheers.

 

[TheOldHokie]

thousands, probably closer to millions, of diesels are started in those temps regularly.
For about 6 weeks a year we are in those temp ranges and with good maintenance we rarely have starting problems.
for oil we follow the user manuals. On the l's I see 10w-30. We use full synthetic Shell Rotella T6.
View attachment 176198
3 hours in an un heated shed with dirt floor fully closed in for the block heaters have always been enough.
We also give them 3hrs, on a 2a trickle charger to warm the battery on regular use diesels. For rarely used diesels we often have the trickle chargers on all the time.
If tractor outside at those temp's then it becomes much more of a hassle contending with wind etc...


btw..... welcome

If you look at the full viscosity curves for Rotella T6 5W40 vs 10W30 they are nearly identical. I would post them but the graphing tool at Widmans is not working.

The curves diverge around -10C and 25C. What that tells you is 5W40 has MARGINALLY better properties on the cold and hot end of normal operating range. If choosIng between the two grades at the same price I am buying the 5W40.

YMMV.

Dan