Since I'm hearing rumors of shortages in oil, grease, filters, etc, I bought what I need for the yearly tractor maintenance to have it ready for next year. Happened to be in Walmart, and they had a ton of 15w-40 oil in Rotella, and Delo. Not one spec of 10w-30, which is what Deere seems to spec. Why the limited variety? Even at Advance Auto Parts, it's hard to find 10w-30. Can I use 15w-40 instead of the 10w-30?
Found this buried in the “fine” manual.
Thinking out loud, it says that 15w-40 is only good down to 4 deg F. But if I'm going to run an engine block heater before starting, I would think that the engine would never be starting when it's temperature is below 4 deg F. And since I live in Massachusetts, and not Frostbite Falls Minnesota where temps plunge to -40, I would think it's not an issue.
I too found the oil shelves empty in walmart in North east PA. I have had good luck with advance tho. Last time I went to costco, they did not have the oil either.
I think you have the right idea. Stay off the backhoe when it's below 4! I run 15w-40 in mine but I'm not in Mass.
I found that Tractor Supply had Rotella T4 10w-30 for $15.99. So I bought that.
If your "L" has a Deere engine (which I think it does) then 15W-40 is fine. That's what we run in all of our 310"s (except "EP models) here in PA. If yours has the Yanmar engine (there in the 310L EP machines) then 10W-30 is recommended.
It’s a straight L.
For average temps does it really matter that much?
Well, it gets down to -11 F on occasion, and as hot as 100. I think it does matter.
I would hazard a guess that 95% of the machines out there are running 15W-40 as it's much more common especially if they have more than 1 machine. If it's a machine that isn't used constantly, I doubt many owners would be changing the oil in the fall and spring. 10W-30 would have slightly easier starting in winter. I don't think you'd hurt the engine running 15W-40 instead of 10W-30. Kind of like cars used to call for 10W-30 and now call for 5W-30. If you have block heater to warm the engine it shouldn't make a huge difference. Detroit 2 cycle engines are about the only ones that really should use a special oil.
Here you go...an oil that flows like a 5 weight when it is cold, and flows like a 40 weight when it is hot...that ought to work perfect.
Sounds like that old Audi commercial. Four vas too small. Six vas too bulky. 5 was just right.
I run 10W-30 from NAPA. They special order it & it seems easier for them to get it in winter.
Not sure why the image didn't show up, but 5-40 is getting very common for diesel oil.
5W-40 and 0W-40 are synthetic if you want to go the route but a lot more expensive.