Tractor Motor Oil

EDW · Jul 8, 2019

Hello Folks. The Tractor manual for my early 70's calls for SE-30 motor oil. That oil is really hard to find anymore. Can someone suggest an alternative? Thanks in advance.

Moonlite37 · Jul 8, 2019

I would buy 15w-40 diesel oil and never look back

Steve@Advance · Jul 8, 2019

I'll second the 15-40 diesel oil.

It's a closer match to the old flat tappet engines. Anything with CJ, CK, etc will work.

Modern gas automotive oil is designed more for roller cams and emission compliance.

EDW · Jul 8, 2019

Did not expect that! Thanks Steve and Moonlight.

old · Jul 8, 2019

I use the O'Reilly's brand 20W-50 in all my tractors but the 1935 JD-B and the IH584. Last I knew one could get 30W oil at O'Reilly's but now days not needed since the making of oil has improved a lot since your tractor was built so a 10W-40 or other such oil will be just fine

EDW · Jul 8, 2019

Thanks Moonlite37 !

EDW · Jul 8, 2019

Thanks Old !

M-MAN · Jul 8, 2019

You can still find it at the auto parts store. Just have to look. Advance keeps it in the motorcycle section.

Russ from MN · Jul 8, 2019

15-40 Delvac or Rotella! Very inexpensive now with the big rebates, $7 a gallon for Delvac.

grayrider · Jul 8, 2019

I agree with all the others, 15w-40

SVcummins · Jul 8, 2019

dpendzic · Jul 8, 2019

Diesel oil in a gas engine?? I was always taught that was a no-no. Also non-detergent oil if there is no oil filter

DeltaRed · Jul 8, 2019

I have run the same 1540 fleet diesel oil in all my (10)gas tractors,Gas combine(jD95),pickup,grain trucks;motorcycle,ATV;lawnmower...everything for 40 plus years. That includes my 4 diesel tractors,too. Have never had an oil related failure.One oil for all. Keep it SIMPLE.

EDW · Jul 8, 2019

Thanks to ALL for the information on Motor Oil.

MarkB_MI · Jul 9, 2019

You don't say if your tractor is gasoline or diesel. Based on the SE oil spec, I'll assume it's a gasser.

The newer oil specifications are supposed to supersede the old ones. So the current SN spec oil should be fine. Many of the diesel oils also carry gasoline ratings (e.g. SJ, SK, SM or SN), so they should be fine as well. But not all diesel oils carry gasoline ratings, so you should check the label first. Will the oils that don't carry gasoline ratings hurt your engine? Probably not; one reason the diesel oils don't carry gasoline ratings is they have more zinc than the gas-rated oils. That's because zinc tends to wear out catalytic converters, which your tractor doesn't have.

As for running 15W-40, that should be fine, unless you want your tractor to start easily in sub-zero temperatures. If that's the case, I'd suggest using something thinner, such as 10W-40, 10W-30 or even 5W-40.

Texasmark1 · Jul 9, 2019

That manual was printed in the 70's. Lubricants have changed since then.

fusion · Jul 9, 2019

I just purchased a case of 30 at our local
Rural King
They have a nice selection of oil .

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