More OIL talk

[Envy Lawn Service]

I've been reading a good bit on here about oil lately. For me this has refreshed my memory about a question I had.....

Do most of you buy "special" oil just for the mowers?

The reason I ask is because I am a "spec sheet" man when it comes to oil. I look at the specs on the oil I run. Right now I have settled on Mobil 15w 40 the "Million Mile Oil" for everything else I own.

All my engines have the same oil in them, mowers and all. But I have 10w 30 in my new one. I am thinking strongly about just using the 15w 40 in it too.

The reason is that in order to get the same specs in a 10w 30 I'd have to use synthetic oil, which I don't care for. Also there is so little difference in thickness. Plus the 15w 40 is made to stand up to heavy loads, extreme conditions and off-road use.

What do you all think?

[wriken]

This is not a mower, but I bought a new polaris 400 sportsman last sept. anyways they come with 0-40 polaris oil from the factory, I asked the tech there if I could use 5-30 or 10-30/40 oil and he said I should use 0-40 cuz of start up ware, now I know he sells 0-40 oil, but he also sells various other weights too. He said he's seen some motors tore apart that they used a thicker oil and the camshafts were wore out. I've used several different kinds of oil, and I have alot of 5-40 oil I might use in the mowers. 15-40 might be to thick at start-up, my opinion:) I do use 15-50 in my hydraulic systems-mobile 1

[Jman]

Check the back of a bottle of Kohler 10W-30 oil and compare to your 15W-40. I think you will be surprised. It is not a synthetic. As far as "thickness", pour both oils through an 1/8" hole and see how long it takes for the same volume of oil to flow through it.

[TLS]

The first # in motor oil is basically the base stock viscocity. With 10W being thinner than 15W which is thicker. Then the second # is what the oil will perform "like" when hot.

MOST 15W-40's are technically a diesel oil. As that is what MOST diesel engines specify. Don't know wether the additive package in a 15W-40 contains something to deal with GASOLINE byproducts?

I'd maybe consider this oil if you had 2000 hrs on an engine, but if its new....those clearances are a bit tight to be pumpin that honey through when its a bit chilly.

I think you'll find most here use 10W-30 on most twins and others are still using HD-30 straight.


My overall recomendation for you....

NO.

[Gravely_Man]

I do not buy "special" oil for my mowers but I follow the manufactures recommendations and have a brand I prefer. The key to oil is use the weight suggested by the manufacturer and change it often.


Gravely_Man

[Tvov]

We use straight 30 in our mowers. Been doing that for 15+ years. Our newest, Ferris w/ 25hp Kawasaki, recommends straight 30. I actually should go back to the engine manual to double check exactly what it says.

[TaussigLawnCare]

I put the recomended opti 4 oil it is expensive but works good so far