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What oil should I use in a Kohler K 301 engine?

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peterclement

New User
Hello,
I've just purchased a 5665 model Gravely walk-behind tractor, 1984 year. Kohler K 301 S engine.
I would like advice on the best oil to use.
Original manual says 30W above freezing, 10-30 below freezing, and an SG or SH classification, which are now obsolete.
I'll go with those weights, and change religiously at 20 hours, so my question is more what brand, regular or synthetic, etc.

Thank you so much for your advice, Peter
 
I use Shell Rotella 15w-40 diesel oil in my K series Kohler engines with no issues. This or any modern day 30w or 10w-30 would be fine. The SG and SH were the most recent oil rating at the time that machine was new and has been surpassed. I do not use full synthetic oil in any of my old equipment, just my personal opinion and preference
 
It being a 1984 model. I would skip on using synthetic oil. The oil seals and gaskets may not be made to handle synthetic oils and could leak if you use it.

As far as oil goes. I run Castrol GTX 10W30 conventional in all of my small engines year round. And have for as long as I can remember.

Pennzoil is also a good brand of engine oil.
 
I would recommend a 30 weight small engine oil. Either Kohler, Kawasaki, or Briggs and Stratton brands, they are all good. They still have
the zinc (ZDDP) in them and that makes them gentler on flat tappet camshafts. Small engine oils are also formulated to resist another 100
degrees of heat above what most automotive oils are rated for before they start breaking down.
 
I used Kohler 30 wt .

I put in a smoking k241 worth a lot of hours . Actually stopped smoking , I pulled the cub 1000 in competition and won with same engine .
 
This is what I would recommend above freezing.

mvphoto102598.png
 
The article says motor oil expires, how soon? I have a case of oil with a few quarts left that I bought
for our Honda outboard that might be 20 years old, is that too old?
 
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