just got tractor ...first of a whole bunch o' questions

realolman · Nov 14, 2010

Hello folks,

I recently bought a 1956 300 utility tractor , and I know I will have a bunch of questions that I hope you will be willing to help me with...

here's #1

I just started reading the manual, and it recommends 10 W oil in the crankcase in the winter, and 30 in the summer..... seems to me to be an obvious question: can I use 10W - 30?

tractorsam · Nov 14, 2010

Sure you can. The oils that were recommended in the manual were what was available when the tractor was built and there've been a lot of changed since then. The only thing to watch out for is that new oils can loosen up crud which can float around the engine and cause trouble. If it looks reasonably clean inside (or has seen a fair amount of recent use) then just go for it. Otherwise you might want to remove the oil pan and valve cover and clean it up a bit. Best of luck, Sam

rustyfarmall · Nov 14, 2010

(quoted from post at 07:14:31 11/14/10) Hello folks,

I recently bought a 1956 300 utility tractor , and I know I will have a bunch of questions that I hope you will be willing to help me with...

here's #1

I just started reading the manual, and it recommends 10 W oil in the crankcase in the winter, and 30 in the summer..... seems to me to be an obvious question: can I use 10W - 30?

Yes, you can use 10w-30, but quite a few of us are using 15w-40 diesel engine oil because it has properties needed in these old engines, and most 10w-30 oils no longer have those properties.

mike paulson · Nov 14, 2010

good machine, i have one and its a workhorse..

GordoSD · Nov 16, 2010

What does the oil that is in there look like?
Drain a little off from the filter housing.
I'll bet it is really black. If so, add a quart of diesel fuel, start it and run it at idle for 15 minutes.
Then drain the crud, drop the pan, and pull the filter housing.
Clean it up and add 5-20 if you are going to start it outdoors colder than zero degrees F.
AT those temps you definitely need a block heater also.

Gordo

mkirsch · Nov 17, 2010

I grew up through the cold winters of Buffalo NY. We NEVER needed block heaters on the gas engine tractors, even on below zero mornings.

Of course they were kept inside, but in UNheated, UNinsulated barns.

If anything, keep a battery tender connected so the battery is always fully charged and ready to go.

just got tractor ...first of a whole bunch o' questions

realolman

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tractorsam

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rustyfarmall

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mike paulson

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GordoSD

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mkirsch

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