Tractors, Mowers, Chippers, Trailers, Chainsaws, Generators, Boat Engines, Flood Control, & Census.

The factory filter was a little shorty. I tried a couple off the shelf filters, but nothing really worked without denting the can over time or scraping the can. I changed the factory oil out at around 3 hours and then again at the beginning of next season which it probably had 8 hours on it. I doubt it has 15 on it now coming into this season changing it again Did the same thing with the new Honda push. Although it looks like my favorite mower oil Rotella T5 10w30 is now un-obtanium so I'll have to find a suitable replacement...

 

There goes another one!

Just sold the most recent ZT project.

 

I have been using this Kohler oil in all my gear with an oil filter for years.

Without doing a novel, it is an API SJ/SL oil, these were the last service classifications before the lower levels of zinc and phosphorus that protect flat tappet engines.

My logic is that if Kohler didn't feel this was important they would have just put their label on any modern SM/SN formula oil.

 

That's a good oil for air cooled engines with flat tappets. I run Rotella T6 5W-40 synthetic in mine. It also has plenty of zinc since it is a diesel oil and not for use with catalytic converters.

 

As with current times my go to Rotella T5 10w30 is not available as the backup T6 5w40. Probably will just order some Valvoline VR1 10w30 or just go with some Mobil 1 10w30. On second thought I have enough Castrol Edge 0w40 left over for a change. While it doesn't have much zinc, it has a pretty good anti-wear pack in other areas looking at the data sheets. Atleast I bother to change the oil in my stuff; most people don't even think about it. I have a nice oil extractor that makes oil changes a breeze on small engines, especially push mowers that don't have a drain plug.

 

Why do you prefer the 5W-40 over a 10W-30?

In my snow blower and plow tractor (Kohler K) I run 5W-30 in the winter.

I used Brad Penn "Green Oil" for years in my older cars then that product line was sold to DA Lubricants, which I continued with. It is also a high ZDDP formula.

 

I have had an oil extractor for 30 years, cats @$$ for small engines!

 

https://penngrade1.com/wp-content/u...eticMultiGrade-High-Performance-Oils-2019.pdf

 

The T6 5w40 is a very stout oil! The 40 weight factor would be good for older equipment that the engine tolerances have gotten looser over the years. Combine that with the cleaning agents and additive packs in the T6 make it great for older engines. I've run alot of Euro 0w40 car oils in my outdoor power equipment over the years, from snow blowers to mowers. They're on the light side of a 40 weight, more of a heavy 30 weight. The base stocks and anti-wear packs in those oils are great as well. OK, end of my oil rambling before I start to totally nerd out...

 

But... Should we be concerned about the amount of Polymer used to achieve the 35 point viscosity spread reducing the volume of actual base stock, a quart only holds a quart after all.

 

I'd be more worried about the sludging from that waxy Pennzoil and its Pennsylvanian crude!

 

What has two thumbs and fell asleep during the last page of this conversation?
















Yeah. This guy.

 

That is old time stuff, technology has come a long way from that.

 

I like the zinc level, full synthetic for less breakdown at higher temps, quick oil flow to the cam due to the 5W, heavier weight at working temps for my hotter summers, and low price(especially after rebates). I buy it in the gallon jug.

I would not worry about running the Kohler 10W-30 oil in the least but I feel the Rotella is a better value overall.

 

The Kohler oil was around $5/qt at TSC for a long time, suddenly last summer the price doubled...
I get it by the case on Amazon now.

 

Ditto on that. I loaded up the trailer taller than me with junk from the yard. That wasn't even the little stuff.

I took the old Scotts S1742 on its last ride. Dropped it at the end of the driveway for someone with more time than me to fix up. "I found this on the side of the road and all it needed was a tune up and a few wiring splices!"

I made space for the new one coming in next week. Intending on picking up the LT1 GT54. High end of the budget and has the K58.

 

@Snowy I looked around online and a lot of people are saying dethatcher, stick rake, or pine straw rake.

 

It's made by Warren, so it's good stuff. Just like SuperTech at Wal-Mart.

 

Except there is no SJ/SL rated oils at WM.

 

Wow, those are some old specs there Rusty SL was what, 2001?