Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
OT Oil for old garden tractor
Chuck Bjorgen
The manual for my 25 year-old Sears garden tractor specifies regular 30 weight oil for regular warm weather use. It also allows for 5w-30 for below zero, nothing I would ever use it for. I read some recommendations that the new synthetics are better for small engines (mine is 5hp). Standard 30 weight is getting hard to find. Any recommendations?
Re: OT Oil for old garden tractor
Mike L
don't over think it. Any good oil will work, if it says 5W 30 then I would not worry about using it. I would stay with regular oil and stay away from the synthetic stuff on a engine that old.
Re: OT Oil for old garden tractor
Bruce, a MN Galoot
Chuck,
An auto parts store should have Shell Rotella 30 wt oil. It’s fairly common. I used Rotella 40 wt oil in my 35 year old Goldwing.
Re: OT Oil for old garden tractor *LINK*
walta
If your mower does not have a filter, you want non detergent oil.
I like 30 weight oil if I am not wearing a coat. not 10w30
The detergent keeps the trash in suspension until the filter can remove it without a filter you circulate the trash and do more damage. Without detergent the trash settles to the bottom and can be remover when the oil gets changed.
If you want to read 160 posts about lawn mower oil you may find this link interesting.
Walta
https://www.lawnsite.com/threads/good-info-about-oil.168060/
Re: OT Oil for old garden tractor
Chuck Bjorgen
Thanks, Walta, but no thanks on the link. I’m sticking with the 30 weight. With 25 years of service so far, I’m staying with what has worked. I imagine new lawn care machines have much different specs.