Oil Change Question

Bill VA · May 26, 2020

Lot of you folks have multiple tractors. A few of them might only see a few hours a year, while other are daily drivers.

We are angling to have some implements stay on a tractor for a whole year with occasional use.

Question is - are you still changing oil every year, even though the hours accumulated on the prior year are low?

Just curious.

Thanks!
Bill

Ellis Kinney · May 26, 2020

I have three M Farmalls. I farm with them although they don't always get a lot of hours. I run Amsoil 10 w 30 in all of them. I change oil every couple of years, they don't use oil. The key, I think, is to really use them if you start them. I will typically start one and run a couple of hours mowing, raking hay or dragging logs. Ellis

johnofnewhaven · May 26, 2020

I have 4 tractors. I change oil in them every spring and fall. Overkill? Probably. They get frequent use throughout the year. No matter what I would at least change oil once a year. Fresh oil and filter is cheap preventive maintenance. That just how I am.

jd man wis · May 26, 2020

I don't I was show'd as a kid on the farm that alays check the oil frist and run the stick across your fingers an check for dirt or grit an rub your fingers around to see on how it good lubrication between them. If it was grit change it if it was just black but good lubrication run the tractor.

fastfarmall · May 26, 2020

I read a interesting article, about 12-15 years ago, it was written by a Shell Engine Oil Engineer out of St Louise Mo.He said there were over 500 different additives they can put in, to make engine oil, the interesting part was to me, that oil sitting on the retail shelf declines in quality, after 5 years,[i think he said] . I did buy some brand name 10w-30 from K-mart cheap, looked like it was older than that,and it did ruin my lifters in a old 350 chev, that was in good shape i thought any way,it didn't ruin the crank but had to threw it away. I got a neighbor who is a Cat, and Cummins certified Mech, he don't belief it, he's smarter than i, so not sure who to believe! So myself on some low hour engines i don't leave in there over three years!

Russ from MN · May 26, 2020

On our newer JD 4600 I change it by the hour meter, not the calendar, give or take a little, it's best to change it in the fall before sitting. On our Farmall C that has no hour meter, every few years, as it doesn't get a lot of use. Use Delvac 15-40 in both.

the tractor vet · May 26, 2020

Even if you only run them a few hours a year you need to change the oil due to condensation build up from setting , you will not see the water layen on the bottom of the pan when you pull the dip stick but the suction screen will when you fire up the engine . Condensation build up in the engine transmission and rear ends and even in the hyd. systems of old tractors that do not have a common sump . I personally have drained up to five gallon of water out of my tractors out of the rear end /hyd sump even with the tractor setting in the barn from it's last use in the fall till when we are getting them out for the first time in the spring . The engines were never that bad but we have drained a coffee cup of water / Condensation from the pans when we have had a wide range of temp changes from last use to first fire up .

Janicholson · May 26, 2020

The issue is hours of operation, and work load when running, coupled with getting them up to operating temperature. Combine those, and take what the tractor vet mentioned. If you live where condensation is an issue (and it sure is where he lives in Ohio) loosen the plug and drain condensation out of all sumps. (just 95% of the water condensate) If it is green that is a different emergency. So be mindful of the longer oil change intervals recommended with new oils, and accommodate those and the above into the decision. Maybe once a year, maybe once every 5! Jim

Steve@Advance · May 26, 2020

I think annual oil changes are good practice.

And best done at the end of the season to get rid of any moisture or acidic conditions so not to sit in the engine while it's stored.

But here lately it's become one of those things that often ends up on the when-I-get-round-tuit list.

Maybe next year it'll come around again...

Dennis(IA) · May 26, 2020

I change about every 3 years. I also have a pickup that only get 1500 miles a year, so every 3 years.

I believe that about oil getting old on the shelf. I have a friend that had me change the oil in one of his old cars. The oil was old and when I poured it in the engine the bottom of the quart was like syrup (don't know how old it was). He said to use it anyway. I never buy much oil ahead of time and let it sit.

Stephen Newell · May 26, 2020

I wouldn't change the oil quite as often on a tractor not used often but I would do it once a year. Oil starts to deteriorate once it is heated. You could put a quart of oil in an oven and heat it once and a while and it wouldn't be the same oil as a bottle unopened. The heat hurts it more than circulating in an engine.

Mike M · May 26, 2020

I have several tractors that do not get used anymore. They sit inside a heated building and been many years on several of them since oil was changed. They started out sitting there with fresh oil. I have one that I use every so often. Oil still looks like new and it is a diesel too ! It is getting enough hours I should change it. My lawn mower is what gets a workout ! Last year I had to change it through the year. This year is shaping up about as bad for mowing often.

David G · May 26, 2020

I do not worry about annuals on low hour equipment.

rustred · May 26, 2020

you mean the engine oil runs cool in an engine??? it get pretty dam hot, like to 250 degree's. it starts to break down at higher temp's.

Dennis Minn · May 26, 2020

Bill VA,

Might I suggest an experiment. You change the oil/filter(s). Then next year you take a sample and send it to a laboratory ( about 20 bucks). That will define the periodicity you need to perform changes.

You know your environ, storage, and usage better than anyone. I figure that is money well spent. End of the mystery...

I do changes based upon lab results, and over the decades, found that what I have experienced, oil has a long life, depending on a lot of factors.

D.

JMOR · May 26, 2020

Sitting for years on the shelf allows some of additives to settle and should be mixed/stirred before use. As to old oil, my father bought 6 each 55 gallon barrels of oil about 1960 and had used 4+ barrels before he died in 1964. Not having a business fleet, I am still using from that last barrel today in my 8N tractor. It is about empty now but I have not seen any negative results from this rather old oil for this lengthy period of use. Try to change yearly, but occasionally fall down on the job. I also use for bar oil in saws and maybe a few other lube jobs. Just for fun, in ~2013 I ran across opportunity to get lab analysis of a can of this oil bought at same time as barrels (handy in tool box when on the road) and in every case it had lower additive amounts than current day oils, even the much talked about Zinc (517 vs 800 PPM).

Stephen Newell · May 26, 2020

No, I meant the heat from the engine damages the oil so a person couldn't go by the hour meter to determine when to change the oil. Even if a tractor is only used a couple times a year the oil would still need to be changed at least annually.

Dean · May 26, 2020

I usually change engine oil and filter each fall after last use on all of my tractors that are used even if low hours.

I change engine oil and filter on collector tractors that are not used only every 4 or 5 years, usually when I change coolant.

Dean

RBnWA · May 26, 2020

Bill oil itself doesn't go bad. Moisture and combustion gases are hard on the man made additives. I was told to change oil in the fall so the rust prevention additives were at their best to prevent rust from condensation from setting during the winter. Anybody that lives in a cold climate know's tractors do sweat late fall and late winter early spring more so. I like to change mine every fall. RB

Leroy · May 26, 2020

I live in Ohio and in my 76 years I have never seen any signs of condinsation in any engine

Crazy Horse · May 26, 2020

Dennis ..... I'm curious, what kinds of results does the testing outfit send back to you? Can you provide some details? What sorts of things would you look for to help you determine if you are scheduling your changes correctly?

fastfarmall · May 26, 2020

I have done sampling and sent it in,thru the Cat company,if its a emergency they will call you and advise you to shut it down.It's all in chemical symbols, they have a range, of whats normal, the thing i am looking for is Anti freeze in the oil, haven't had any yet, but they also tell what the viscosity of the oil, my 10W-30 is usually about a 11, not a misprint !

caterpillar guy · May 27, 2020

I change off on oil changes. The big tractors don't get enough use per year in hours.I change them every other year. Some of the smaller tractors used more get it done each year or more if used enough. I like to change oil every 100hours on the engines. Filter every year in hydraulics. Test antifreeze for elements in wet sleeve engines each fall and add treatment as required. Also test dry sleeve diesels and treat accordingly. Hydraulic oil gets changed less often usually when hoses or other leaks change it for me.

JMOR · May 27, 2020

(quoted from post at 17:18:09 05/26/20) I live in Ohio and in my 76 years I have never seen any signs of condinsation in any engine

ome have a Texas experience and you will get to see it!

Oil Change Question

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