Using Rotella 15-40 in 2N/8N tractors

tracman

Member
Gentlemwn, has there been any problems using Rotella 15w-40 diesel grade oil in the N tractors? It would be cheaper to buy the 5 GAL. pail at Wl-mart to do my two tractors than the usual 5 liter containers.
 
I use 15W40 diesel spec oil in all of my tractors, gasoline or diesel, late model or vintage without issues.

It is quite suitable for your N tractor unless your engine is very badly worn or you live in a very cold climate.

Dean
 
ive been using it in my jubilee for more than 15 years its great stuff, i went to it as i have big trucks and there is always some around here for them
 
The only problem is if you live in a cold climate and the tractor is in an unheated building or outside. I tried it on my TO-30 and it made for harder starting in the winter so I went back to 10W40. All our diesels use 15W40 but they have block heaters for winter operation.
 
A very badly worn N engine will have very little oil pressure at hot idle.

In such cases, 20W50 or 40W would be a better alternative.

Dean
 
I use Shell Rotella in my "48. It holds about 35 lbs. of oil pressure when first started and doesn"t fall off much as it warms up. I may change it to something else for winter use or put a heat lamp to warm the oil pan for a while before starting.
 
Go for it. I use the JD 15w-40, but from what I can tell it is a tailor made oil for JD by Shell/Rotella. It is used in my 3 8ns. Good pressure and no problems.
 

I would caution that if you live in British Columbia and it is a particular cold part of that province, I would look hard at 0w-40, and from a previous discussion on this board, using 0w-40 might be the best of all worlds. I live in Texas and it doesn't get that cold.
 
I I might be OK because I live on Vancouver Island and the coldest it ever gets for a short while is -10C. Normally it hovers around -2C to +5C in the winter. Mind you I do have a good dump of snow to plow occasionally.
 
That 10W-30 is starting to look pretty good again. The high temp viscosity for all those oils is similiar anway.
 
(quoted from post at 16:46:14 12/21/12) That 10W-30 is starting to look pretty good again. The high temp viscosity for all those oils is similiar anway.

There is little if any benefit to grade 40 oil in an N-series. Ideally the oil should have an operating viscosity sufficient to produce an oil film thick enough to support the crankshaft loads and no thicker. Thicker simply wastes power and provides zero additional lubrication.

TOH
 

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