520-H (Eaton trans) oil

[Cycle Jockey 4]

Sorry for such a novice question for you pros. I just got a 520-H and am getting ready to change the oil in both the engine and trans.  Since you can’t find straight 30w oil any more, I am planning on using 10w-30. I will only be using the tractor for mowing a small yard at summer temps. My question is should I use conventional or synthetic oil?

[JoeM 7,874]

Just depends on your pocketbook.

Of course synthetic transfers heat much better.The engine being a pressurized filter oil system the change interval can be extended with synthetic.

On the other hand a a lot of machines have survived on regular oil for years. 

I use synthetic in these applications.

 

 

[WHX?? 49,149]

Either type oil will work fine. Some of the guys report somewhat better performance in colder temps with synthetics. 10w30 is the preferred oil here especially if you plan to run below 32 deg.   Same with brand as a lot of the fellas like Mobile 1 Syn. some like the Shell Rotella. I think any quality oil in 10w30 or straight 30 will work fine. I run the same oil in the engine just to keep things simple. 

As Joe noted you can get by a bit longer on changes with Syn. and it is abit more less susceptible to age break down.  

[rmaynard 15,590]

I have a 416-H with the Onan 16 HP, and I run NAPA 10W30 regular oil in the engine, and Walmart 10W30 fully synthetic oil in the Eaton 1100. OEM oil filter on the engine, and OEM transmission filter on the Eaton. Temperatures around here got into single digits this past winter and I had no problems with either the engine or the hydro. 

 

I forgot to say 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 9, 2022 by rmaynard

[squonk 41,314]

Rotella 30W in the engine and Mobil 1 10W-30 in the trans. Wix 51762 or Napa 1762 engine filter and Wix 51410 or Napa 1410 filter for trans

[lynnmor 7,352]

Kohler has both 10W-30 and SAE 30 specially for small gasoline engines.  It has a high zinc content to prevent wear.  The transmission can use any 10W-30 oil, I use Castrol semi-synthetic high mileage oil.

[roadapples 6,983]

[Cycle Jockey 4]

8 hours ago, JoeM said:

Just depends on your pocketbook.

Of course synthetic transfers heat much better.The engine being a pressurized filter oil system the change interval can be extended with synthetic.

On the other hand a a lot of machines have survived on regular oil for years. 

I use synthetic in these applications.

 

 

Thanks for the quick reply and info.

[Cycle Jockey 4]

8 hours ago, WHX?? said:

Either type oil will work fine. Some of the guys report somewhat better performance in colder temps with synthetics. 10w30 is the preferred oil here especially if you plan to run below 32 deg.   Same with brand as a lot of the fellas like Mobile 1 Syn. some like the Shell Rotella. I think any quality oil in 10w30 or straight 30 will work fine. I run the same oil in the engine just to keep things simple. 

As Joe noted you can get by a bit longer on changes with Syn. and it is abit more less susceptible to age break down.  

Thanks for the help.

[Cycle Jockey 4]

Thanks all for the input, it is greatly appreciated.  I'm sure I'll be reaching out again as I start to work on the Horse.  

[WHX?? 49,149]

Your 

[Cycle Jockey 4]

On 4/9/2022 at 9:01 AM, JoeM said:

Just depends on your pocketbook.

Of course synthetic transfers heat much better.The engine being a pressurized filter oil system the change interval can be extended with synthetic.

On the other hand a a lot of machines have survived on regular oil for years. 

I use synthetic in these applications.

 

 

Thanks for your help.

[Cycle Jockey 4]

On 4/9/2022 at 9:11 AM, squonk said:

Rotella 30W in the engine and Mobil 1 10W-30 in the trans. Wix 51762 or Napa 1762 engine filter and Wix 51410 or Napa 1410 filter for trans

Thanks for all the info.

[Cycle Jockey 4]

On 4/9/2022 at 9:15 AM, lynnmor said:

Kohler has both 10W-30 and SAE 30 specially for small gasoline engines.  It has a high zinc content to prevent wear.  The transmission can use any 10W-30 oil, I use Castrol semi-synthetic high mileage oil.

Thanks

[Cycle Jockey 4]

20 hours ago, roadapples said:

Thanks.  So so much great info and people here.