Oils, Filters, Routine Tractor Maintenance

[UncleBuck]

When I first bought my Mahindra 4110, I was within driving distance (6+ mi.)of my dealer, plus the fact he was a real good guy , he did all my routine maintenance on my tractor. Since I moved, I have done my own oil changes ,with name brand oils and factory/dealer filters I had from my old dealer. My nearest dealer is almost 40 miles, it would be a lot more expensive for the routine maintenance. This is the big one, gas-oil-hydraulic filters, oil-hydraulic/trans fluids
My question is, not the typical what oil to use, since there are numerous quality oils available , its just the opposite, what Hydraulic/Trans & Engine oil would you avoid, What gas, oil & hydraulic FILTERS would you avoid
Store brands, name brands, off brands, would you avoid like the Plague

P.S. Hope this is the right forum to put this post

 

[shinnlinger]

BUck,

I will watch this thread with interest. I try to support my local folks so I buy whatever I can get a carquest and BigA auto parts, which are ussually those brands and cheaper/easier than getting Kubota filters.

Now getting cheap filters is sacrelige to some, but my thought if you change them regulary I dont see the harm as I think they are pretty much the same inside anyway(someone will correct me on this I am sure).

It is a valid point to argue that a factory filter for a few bucks more is alot cheaper than an overhaul, but I have always had luck with cheap filters, provided of course they are the RIGHT cheap filters

 

[Nicahawk]

BUck,

I will watch this thread with interest. I try to support my local folks so I buy whatever I can get a carquest and BigA auto parts, which are ussually those brands and cheaper/easier than getting Kubota filters.

Now getting cheap filters is sacrelige to some, but my thought if you change them regulary I dont see the harm as I think they are pretty much the same inside anyway(someone will correct me on this I am sure).

It is a valid point to argue that a factory filter for a few bucks more is alot cheaper than an overhaul, but I have always had luck with cheap filters, provided of course they are the RIGHT cheap filters

I have to do my 50 hr service this weekend on the L4400. I was concerned that if I didn't use Kubota filters and fluid and had problems down the road that it might possibly void the warranty. Anyone have experience with warranty issues?

Once a machine is out of warrenty it's a different story.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

When I first bought my Mahindra 4110, I was within driving distance (6+ mi.)of my dealer, plus the fact he was a real good guy , he did all my routine maintenance on my tractor. Since I moved, I have done my own oil changes ,with name brand oils and factory/dealer filters I had from my old dealer. My nearest dealer is almost 40 miles, it would be a lot more expensive for the routine maintenance. This is the big one, gas-oil-hydraulic filters, oil-hydraulic/trans fluids
My question is, not the typical what oil to use, since there are numerous quality oils available , its just the opposite, what Hydraulic/Trans & Engine oil would you avoid, What gas, oil & hydraulic FILTERS would you avoid
Store brands, name brands, off brands, would you avoid like the Plague

P.S. Hope this is the right forum to put this post

Let's start with the AVOID list first;



NO Fram filters. Once upon a time, they were considered among the best. Not any more.



NO K&N filters. Their claims of improved flow are aceived by the fact they're not actually FILTERING air. Sorta like using chicken wire where you need screen wire.


NO Valvoline oils. The ONLY engine I ever lost was run on Valvoline. When it was torn down, it looked like someone had melted a thousand candles inside. Parafine built up in every conceivable spot.



Now for what I use.



The Massey Ferguson has lived on a diet of NAPA filters, Pennzoil lubricants, Prestone coolants (and additives), along with Lucas fuel treatments. 37 years and still runs like new, burns ZERO oil, NO blowby, and when I replaced an oil pan gasket 2 years ago, the inside of the engine is cleaner than some restaraunts I've ate at.



Because of warranty issues, the newest Deere uses OEM Deere filters, Pennzoil lubes, Prestone coolants/additives, Lucas fuel treatments. Older Deere uses same w/ the exception of NAPA filters.



New Massey's will use OEM filters while warranty is in effect.



Trucks use NAPA/Pennzoil/Lucas/Prestone.

Diesels ALL use 15/40 Pennzoil, Gassers ALL use (inc wifes car) 10/30 Pennzoil.



I change fluids at regular intervals. (Oil; MF150-100hr, JD2440-100hrs, JD6430-150 hrs, Dodge Hemi-4000miles, Dodge/Cummins-6000miles) I use conventional oil, no synthetics. Too expensive. Even with extended use, they don't pencil out and I have ZERO issues with engine life/wear using GOOD dino oils.

Dodge Hemi ('04 2500 Q-cab,4wd, auto, long bed) was started out on Synthetic Pennzoil. After several changes, it would go 3000 miles without oil consumption, then use a quart per 500 miles. Since swapping to dino oil, consuption past 3000 miles stopped. Still @ full mark when changed @ 4000 miles. No plausable explaination, just "how it is".


When using synthetic, gas savings wasn't substancial enough to justify added cost over dino oil.



I use Pennzoil hydraulic oil purchased in 55 gal. drums.





Trucks average 40,000+ per yr. Tractors are hard to compare. The 150 as an example, has 3200 hrs in 37 years. The 6430 Deere logged over 1400 hours in ONE year. Estimated use on 4 tractors to be used in mowing crew next summer, 750 to 800 per tractor

Synthetic believers, don't try to convert me. Won't happen. I'm cheap....I have engines out-lasting the rest of the vehicle and/or outlasting ME....No need to spend MORE to get what I already have.

 

[shinnlinger]

PHEW,

I didn't get lanbasted yet for my comment on cheap filters. I concur with what has been said thus far. Warranty? Stick with factory stuff. Do your homework though and non factory can be fine. Synthetic? I have seen older motorcyles develop major leaks with synthetic and need to have their gaskets replaced. If Is new and you want to stay with synthetic though It may well be worth it. I know a logger near me who is an Amsoil man. He has had fantastic luck with it in all his machines and chainsaws for years. In real cold weather, synthetic oil and transmission fluid is real nice, but who is out in zero and below stuff on their CUT's besides me? It doesn't snow below 20 ussually and besides, it is BUTT COLD!!!!

Whatever you do, chenge your stuff. I thought the Mahindr thread on fuel filters a few months ago was right on. A paper fuel filter, wether it has 10 hours on it or 200, will begin to break down after 6 months. Take care of your machine and it will take care of you.

 

[UncleBuck]

Let's start with the AVOID list first;

NO Fram filters. Once upon a time, they were considered among the best. Not any more.
NO K&N filters. Their claims of improved flow are aceived by the fact they're not actually FILTERING air. Sorta like using chicken wire where you need screen wire.
NO Valvoline oils. The ONLY engine I ever lost was run on Valvoline. When it was torn down, it looked like someone had melted a thousand candles inside. Parafine built up in every conceivable spot.
Now for what I use.
The Massey Ferguson has lived on a diet of NAPA filters, Pennzoil lubricants, Prestone coolants (and additives), along with Lucas fuel treatments. 37 years and still runs like new, burns ZERO oil, NO blowby, and when I replaced an oil pan gasket 2 years ago, the inside of the engine is cleaner than some restaraunts I've ate at.

Because of warranty issues, the newest Deere uses OEM Deere filters, Pennzoil lubes, Prestone coolants/additives, Lucas fuel treatments. Older Deere uses same w/ the exception of NAPA filters.
New Massey's will use OEM filters while warranty is in effect.
Trucks use NAPA/Pennzoil/Lucas/Prestone.Diesels ALL use 15/40 Pennzoil, Gassers ALL use (inc wifes car) 10/30 Pennzoil.
I change fluids at regular intervals. (Oil; MF150-100hr, JD2440-100hrs, JD6430-150 hrs, Dodge Hemi-4000miles, Dodge/Cummins-6000miles) I use conventional oil, no synthetics. Too expensive. Even with extended use, they don't pencil out and I have ZERO issues with engine life/wear using GOOD dino oils.
Dodge Hemi ('04 2500 Q-cab,4wd, auto, long bed) was started out on Synthetic Pennzoil. After several changes, it would go 3000 miles without oil consumption, then use a quart per 500 miles. Since swapping to dino oil, consuption past 3000 miles stopped. Still @ full mark when changed @ 4000 miles. No plausable explaination, just "how it is".

When using synthetic, gas savings wasn't substancial enough to justify added cost over dino oil.
I use Pennzoil hydraulic oil purchased in 55 gal. drums.

Trucks average 40,000+ per yr. Tractors are hard to compare. The 150 as an example, has 3200 hrs in 37 years. The 6430 Deere logged over 1400 hours in ONE year. Estimated use on 4 tractors to be used in mowing crew next summer, 750 to 800 per tractor

Synthetic believers, don't try to convert me. Won't happen. I'm cheap....I have engines out-lasting the rest of the vehicle and/or outlasting ME....No need to spend MORE to get what I already have.

JUNK
Really detailed answer, thanks,your not the first to say that about Valvoline. Is Pennzoil / Quaker State owned by the same company ????
Since I'm out of warranty, I will probably use Napa/Wix filters, they have all 3 ( gas, oil, hydraulic)
the oil was going to be rotella ( out of habit ), but after your response pennzoil oil & hydraulic will be a option I did not consider before
One reason I started this tread was, walking through Tractor Supply killing time waiting for the females of the family to finished they're mall shopping, I saw Tractor Supply brand of oil & hydraulic fluid ( "TRAVELLER" Brand), have not a clue about this brand, and the Walmart brand ( "TECH" ) Just wondering if anybody has used these brands of hydraulic fluid