Winter Engine oil change

[RoamingGnome]

Howdy...
It's long past the time when I should be getting my tractors ready for winter use...

I'm almost there - but have decided to do a couple of last minute winter oil changes - These are all older Kohler K301 or K321 engines

- just wondered what ya'll were using for winter oil - brand and weight - Temperature range for my tractors for the next few months will range between +3°C (37°F) and -25°C (-13°F)

Synthetic/Non Synthetic or a Blend??? Once spring rolls around I will swap back to 15w40 Rotella Diesel

Thanks!
Gerry

[myerslawnandgarden]

Gerry,

As the Kohler cast iron singles that you have are a dip and splash lubrication system, a low viscosity oil is recommended in cold climates so that the lubrication can be splashed around easily on startup. I personally use 5w20 conventional or synthetic blend in all of my air cooled engines (Briggs, Kohler and Onan) for reliable starting below 32 degrees F. No particular brand, just look for one with a high API rating.

Bob

[propane1]

I use 10w30 year round, conventional oil.

Noel

[DavidBarkey]

I run 15w40 diesel year round now I have block heaters in the snow blower tractor with Onan engine and 5w40 syn in the hydra .
Frankie has 5w40 year round now in both engine and hydra .
A lot depend on how cold it is where the tractor is and how often it is used . If not used much , prewarm with space heater before using and run summer oil .
If stupid cold and used a lot ,if hydro is available where the tractor is get a magnetic heater for the engine and throw an old blanket over it . That will heat up the engine , pump and hydra fluid . Plug in , go have coffee and then you are ready to go .
Each person and there tractor have different needs and availibilties .
Details help .

[Harry]

I have been using 10W30 full synthetic for all my air cooled engines year round. My equipment for snow removal is always in my shop where it never gets below freezing. Harry

[ssmewing]

When I get a keeper tractor, I eventually tear the engine down. After a look at all the wear items, I change what needs changing.

I do hone the cylinders. Well, I learned that the machine shops use a superior hone to the 3-stone spring loaded hones, where you use a drill to hone the cylinder. The Onans, every time so far have not exceeded the 0.005 over after the machine shop honing. This means I install new rings from Hastings Rings. They are a high-end shop for performance rings. I have a suspension that someone once owned an Onan engine and had the ring kits made. The Hastings rings use modern oil control rings. These rings pretty much stop the oil burning.

I have to be honest about this. I do not mow with the Ingersoll tractors I have. They do not see many hours. I use the break-in oil with the Zinc adaptive in the oil. After the break-in I use nothing but synthetic oil. I use the upper number as the manuals say to use, and then I use the lower number, which is the lowest number available in synthetic.

This works very well for me year-round. Synthetic oil far superior additives and it ability to change viscosity is remarkable. I use synthetic oil in the hydraulic oil as well. In the winter, the hydraulic oil takes a long time to warm up.

With all this, I do not even change the oil yearly, it is low hours. The oil is still brand new clear after a year. As long as I do not develop an engine leak, I have excellent results.

The Kohlers do crankcase vent some oil. So, those get more attention and when the oil gets to the add level on the dipstick that is when I change the oil.

The only new Kohler I have had was a 1990 Wheel Horse 312-8. I ran synthetic right after the break-in period. I used this tractor to mow all the time I had it. I eventually sold it to someone I know. That engine still does not burn enough oil to change it yearly. It does get changed when the oil is visible easily on the dipstick.

[RoamingGnome]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback, Princess Auto had Rotella T6 5w40 Synthetic on sale last week. I picked up a couple of jugs and changed out the engine oil in the 222 and one of the 644 loaders. When/if I get back up to the property up North I'll change out the engine oil in the 195 and the second 644. Doing full engine teardowns on my old tractors would be a great idea, but it will have to wait until I have a nice shop like the one @Spike188 is building...

[myerslawnandgarden]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback, Princess Auto had Rotella T6 5w40 Synthetic on sale last week. I picked up a couple of jugs and changed out the engine oil in the 222 and one of the 644 loaders. When/if I get back up to the property up North I'll change out the engine oil in the 195 and the second 644. Doing full engine teardowns on my old tractors would be a great idea, but it will have to wait until I have a nice shop like the one @Spike188 is building...

Good plan,

Just make sure to get straight 30 weight back in the Kohlers for summer use. (above 32 degrees F.)

Bob