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ZT-3400 - Recommended Oil

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Elk_man

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I called Hydro Gear this am and they said 20W-50 in either synthetic or regular oil. No recommendations from them on brand or synthetic vs regular.

I usually run synthetic in all my equipment, but the Mobil 1 20W-50 is pretty steep....doesn't see to come in the 5 qt jugs, and is over $10 a quart.

Curious what you guys run in your ZT-3400's....

Thanks ahead for input.

Tony
 
#4 ·
Sooo, you'd rather take advise from a bunch of dummies on some message board rather than the maker who spent thousands and thousands of bux in designing and testing cost ?

If the machine is still under warranty, good luck should you have a issue......
 
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Discussion starter · #5 ·
Restrorob said:
Sooo, you'd rather take advise from a bunch of dummies on some message board rather than the maker who spent thousands and thousands of bux in designing and testing cost ?

If the machine is still under warranty, good luck should you have a issue......
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Not sure that this even warrants a response, but what the heck.

I'm the second owner, this thing is way out of warranty. It's got 600 hrs on it.

If it was brand new and I was doing the 50 hr change I'd do the same thing.

The reality is that the difference between 15W-50 and 20W-50 is that there is NO difference at temperature.

The only difference is during cold start up, it will slightly less viscosity.

Is some situations that is even better! Especially since I live in then north and we don't have particularity hot summers.

Gravely uses the 3400's in their equipment and recommends 15W-50 if synthetic is used. 20W-50 for conventional.

If you think enthusiasts on a message board are dummies, then why are you on this forum?

To answer your question, yes I will take the advice of someone that has researched and experience with using the product any day over a rep for an OEM that has probably never even ran a piece of equipment in his life.

The response on the phone today was "any old oil will work".....
 
#8 ·
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#10 ·
All are welcome Larry, glad to have helped.......
 
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#12 ·
man00 said:
Hydro Gear told me any good oil would work 20w-50w, I used Castrol GTX 20W-50 dino oil
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With good reason, right from H.G's manual which is in the link Elky posted;

"The fluids used in Hydro-Gear products have been carefully selected, and only equivalent, or better products should be substituted. Typically, an engine oil with a minimum rating of 9.0 cSt (55 SUS) at 230° F (110° C) and an API classification of SL is recommended. A 20W50 engine oil has been selected for use by the factory and is recommended for normal operating procedures.
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If one follows any OEM's recommendation on everything, that lessens the chance for a premature failure......
 
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#13 · (Edited)
FWIW I have ZT2800's with around 1100 hours between the two of them and they see 100-105 temps regularly. 15-50 mobil one and changes as recommended . No signs of oil overheating, Hydro function is great. I'll take mobil one in 15-50- over Dino in 20-50 any day of the week. I also use 5-30 instead of 10-30:nono: Most wear/damage happens at start up......
 
#14 ·
dishboy said:
FWIW I have ZT2800's with around 1100 hours between the two of them and they see 100-105 temps regularly. 15-50 mobil one and changes as recommended . No signs of oil overheating, Hydro function is great. I'll take mobil one in 15-50- over Dino in 20-50 any day of the week. I also use 5-30 instead of 10-30:nono: Most wear/damage happens at start up......
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That should work fine too..
 
#15 ·
I just changed the oil in my zt-3400's only 84 hours on them just broke in. I put in valvoline full synthetic 20w50 new filters and the hydros are as quiet as a mouse. I will be sticking with the valvoline products. put full syn valvoline in the engine too. seems to like it pretty well.
 
#16 ·
I used to teach dealers how to work on these units, I was a factory trained trainer.
with that said, 15w-50 or 20w50 will work. Hydro-gear does say 20w50 but different machine makers will vary and HG is ok with that. as fas as synthetic versus dinosaur oil, if you are using it commercially or have a huge yard that takes many hours, use synthetic. it does not breakdown under heat like regular does and will last a lot longer. other wise, use dino oil.
 
#17 ·
OhioJDguy said:
I just changed the oil in my zt-3400's only 84 hours on them just broke in. I put in valvoline full synthetic 20w50 new filters and the hydros are as quiet as a mouse. I will be sticking with the valvoline products. put full syn valvoline in the engine too. seems to like it pretty well.
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THIS^ for all the folks that think the properties of full synthetic are the same as Dino or blends. Oil has come so far in development, it adds significant mileage, power and life to equipment. It's all I've used for almost 10 years now and not a single engine ,pump ,motor failure in dozens of machines with 1000s of hours. Fewer seal failures too which I'm chalking up to the reduced friction between shafts and seals.
 
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