Synthetic or Dino?

[illflem]

I have a few tractors that don't get used much, maybe 30-40 max hours a year. One hasn't had a oil change in 5 years. Since I'm not into changing oil every year with these low hours would I be better off with synthetic? Does it hold up better just sitting than dino?

 

[Chipstien]

I was told that the main benefit of Syn. is that it doesn't break down over time whether sitting or running.

 

[amsoilman]

It has been proven many times over that a true synthetic oil will hold up over time much longer than a petrolium product.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[AKDrifter]

I just put Delo 5-40 syn. in my Kubota tractor, quietened it up. I just coul'nt stand starting it at 0*F with 15-40 it it anymore, made me cringe. Paul

 

[bmoeller]

Do you have any condensation problems? When you do use them, do they get warmed up good? My boss has a IH 460 tractor that only sees maybe 50 hrs a yr. (runs a TMR mixer). Rarely gets warmed up good and sometimes you will moisture on the dipstick. Sometimes the oil on top on the dipstick is white. I'd stay with dino. I would still change the oil once a yr. and the filter every other oil change. The acids in the oil aren't good on things. Oil is cheap compared to a possible overhaul. The 460 had an in-frame overhaul with less than 1500 hrs. on it.

 

[HillCountrykid]

Don't flame me for this, but it's my experience with synthetic oil. I run Mobil 1 in my F-150 that does a lot of sitting between start-ups. I unhook the coil wire and spin things for a while before starting. Reason being that when doing transmission work it sat for 2 weeks. The first time I started it, I guess the thin oil drained off the recipricating parts and made an awful sound for a second. I'm not knocking syn. oil, but giving a possile heads up for this application.



Brian

 

[illflem]

The tractors that sit work for at least 8 hr days when they work. Both have compression releases that allow them to crank fast without starting reducing dry starts.

Main problem is the tractors only get used spring and fall then sit for six months, otherwise I'd just change the oil after their finished so they can sit with fresh oil.

 

[Dane]

Bill,

I would not touch the synthetic/dino question with a 10" pole



I too have equipment that sits unused - generator, mowers, tillers, weed wackers, etc...



My understanding is the biggest danger is the acids and moisture that end up in oil that has been worked. For that reason I change the oil and filter and then run them a few minutes just before I put them away. So far so good...

 

[John Berger]

I'll touch it with a 9" pole :-laf I'd go with synthetic if it sits that long between uses. Now should it be Amsoil or Mobil 1 or... uhh, forget it.