Fully synthetic engine oil?

[Cowabunga]

So would your assumption be that the 500 hour service interval on McCormick and Valtra still includes a "significant margin"? Very interested to hear your thoughts and assumptions.

Quite possibly. I wouldn't extend those already long intervals more than a coupe of days though. It depends a lot on the type of work its done of course. If you've time to check the dipstick, you've time to undo the sump plug in my opinion.

Believe me when I say that a lot of tractors get services that are over 100 hours overdue. I've seen plenty of them. Seen immaculate-looking shining tractors where nobody thinks of even checking the oil level or clean the radiators and there's no oil even touching the dipstick.

 

[Toby_1]

@Cowabunga. Thanks for your reply. Agree that it's a shame when people don't respect oil change intervals on a shiny new tractor. Possibly acceptable on a 150€ lawnmower, but risky on a tractor from which you make your living.
I should add that my advice would be to rigorously stick to the manufacturer's service schedule (and use the right oils).

We try to engineer the whole set-up (components, filters and lubricants) so that service intervals for different circuits match up nicely. e.g. We've now got to 600 hours on the engine oil, 1200 hours on the hydraulic oil and 2400 hours on the transmission oil. It can make it easier when planning routine services.

 

[Cowabunga]

@Cowabunga. Thanks for your reply. Agree that it's a shame when people don't respect oil change intervals on a shiny new tractor. Possibly acceptable on a 150€ lawnmower, but risky on a tractor from which you make your living.
I should add that my advice would be to rigorously stick to the manufacturer's service schedule (and use the right oils).

We try to engineer the whole set-up (components, filters and lubricants) so that service intervals for different circuits match up nicely. e.g. We've now got to 600 hours on the engine oil, 1200 hours on the hydraulic oil and 2400 hours on the transmission oil. It can make it easier when planning routine services.

If it was me, I'd try and design or test the oils and use multiples of 500 hours for simplicity and very easy management. So 500 for engine, 1500 for hydraulic and/or transmission and maybe front axle, and 3000 for transmission if at all possible [otherwise 1500].

As with cars. With flexible or fixed service intervals, I don't do massive mileage so change the oil on the car/pickup's birthday regardless of mileage. Depending on the vehicle, this is usually between 10,000 and 15,000 miles. The Ranger has official intervals of 20,000 miles [or two years iirc] but since it gets done on its birthday/MOT time, it gets it changed at 9000 to 12,000 miles depending on the year. I've had exceptions, such as the CRV which has 12500 intervals but I did nearer 15,000 for three years, which meant inconvenient changes before the birthday.

The Volvo has 18000 mile by the book, or 12 months. Its in having its service today at 12 months but due to it being an extra car this year it has only done 13,000 miles and the Honda around 9500 when it was serviced about three weeks ago.

Just been out spreading slurry with the Same and it is now 5 hours overdue with 155 hours since the last oil and filter change. Had a hell of a day [Its not finished yet] with the battery flat to start with and the first load had the sight glass blow with my back window open. The damn thing whizzed past my ear to hit the windscreen but luckily most of the slurry just missed the side of the tractor, so I wasn't quite drowned in sh!t, although my back, the passenger seat and the inside and out of the side window did get a light coating.
Luckily I have a second tanker so emptied the first back into the pit and swapped.
Off now to take diesel for the skiddy and a few bags of feed to the heifers, seven miles away.

 

[Lincsman]

@Cowabunga. Thanks for your reply. Agree that it's a shame when people don't respect oil change intervals on a shiny new tractor. Possibly acceptable on a 150€ lawnmower, but risky on a tractor from which you make your living.
I should add that my advice would be to rigorously stick to the manufacturer's service schedule (and use the right oils).

We try to engineer the whole set-up (components, filters and lubricants) so that service intervals for different circuits match up nicely. e.g. We've now got to 600 hours on the engine oil, 1200 hours on the hydraulic oil and 2400 hours on the transmission oil. It can make it easier when planning routine services.

Many who have shiny new tractors dont keep them long enough for oil changes to matter much and the trade in price goes on how shiny it is.

 

[Deutz6160]

One thing i don’t like is cheap oil, nothing worse. Don’t know why people go for it.
What brand oil would you use

 

[john432]

Is a high price a gaurantee of quality? Or just mark up? What about looking at the specification?

 

[Cowabunga]

One thing i don’t like is cheap oil, nothing worse. Don’t know why people go for it.
What brand oil would you use

A reputable brand which makes oil that meets, if not certifies its oil officially to recognised International Standards as required by the vehicle manufacturer.

 

[Cowabunga]

Is a high price a gaurantee of quality? Or just mark up? What about looking at the specification?

No it is not. The specification [In this case the claimed standards met by the product] is indeed the critical element and whether you trust the brand to actually produce consistently to that claimed specification.

 

[jpd]

i know of a now deceased"gentleman" that used to buy new ford cars in the day.dont know how long he kept them,but never ever serviced them.no locals would touch his trade ins.

 

[Cowabunga]

i know of a now deceased"gentleman" that used to buy new ford cars in the day.dont know how long he kept them,but never ever serviced them.no locals would touch his trade ins.

Probably changed them every year or 10,000 miles, otherwise they would sludge up and seize. Engines up to the late 1970's didn't last long apart from the Japanese ones which were vastly longer lasting and would certainly outlast their pathetically rusty bodies.

Fairly sure that around the beginning of the 70's, Ford engines started to improve and as they did so and the oil improved as well, service intervals doubled from 3000 miles to 6000 miles, where they stayed for a couple of decades. I couldn't complain about my 1971 MkIII Cortina estate's 1.6 engine or gearbox, which was ex-antique dealer's. They still made the Morris Thousand back then of course, until it morphed into the Morris Marina.

 

[Toby_1]

If it was me, I'd try and design or test the oils and use multiples of 500 hours for simplicity and very easy management.

A 600 hour engine service interval gives 20% more hours before having to change the oil.

But it's the same with many design decisions manufacturers make, the level of benefit the customer sees comes down to the type of operation they're running. Some customers will see value in that extra 20%, some won't.

 

[Cowabunga]

A 600 hour engine service interval gives 20% more hours before having to change the oil.

But it's the same with many design decisions manufacturers make, the level of benefit the customer sees comes down to the type of operation they're running. Some customers will see value in that extra 20%, some won't.

I agree. The reason I like 500 hour intervals is that it takes less management to remember when the next service is due. It’s always on the 500 or 1000 points.
Nothing stopping anyone with a 600 hour service interval shortening it to every 500 hours instead if it suits them better.

 

[Pluto]

I change the oil in my New Holland at 500 hours because it's easy to remember, but a trick to remember is to buy a 200L barrel. When dealers service your machine they have a habit of charging you the 20L price, which can be anything up to 30-50% more.