Oil life in unused tractor

Anonymous-0 · Jul 23, 2009

I usually change the oil in the batwing tractor every fall but this year the two places I do all the mowing at got new tenants and they both came with tractors, so I have not run my tractor at all. I know the oil companies say to change the oil after so long, but I would rather let it sit for another year (maybe two + at this rate) before I change it. About how long is it ok to let it go for? Till I get to another couple hundred hours? It probably wont see 30 hours this year.

buickanddeere · Jul 23, 2009

Water condensation from changing weather is the main concern. Where are these tractors and what kind of storage?

Paul from MI · Jul 23, 2009

I'd let it sit, but crack a drain plug to get rid of condensation before using it.
Paul

Anonymous-0 · Jul 23, 2009

Its an east coast tractor (ih 706) and is sitting in a covered facility. I got it ready to go in the spring before I found out I wouldn't be using it and its been back in the barn since. I was hoping to pick up another place or two this summer, but no luck. I believe keeping pastures mowed isn't a high priority with money being a little tight on all fronts. Thanks!

ldj · Jul 23, 2009

I wouldn't let it sit that long. I don't know how long but 2 to 3 years, Well I wouldn't do it. If there is any dirt in the oil it will settle out and leave that sludge any place it doesn't drain from. I know. I bought an old tractor one time and oil looked like new. Now mind you it had been sitting over 10 years. Anyway I thought good. I tinkered with it and fired her up. She ran good. Got on her and took off. Less than 5 min. knock, knock, knock and I shut her off. Took pan off and so much sludge in bottom the pickup screen was restricted. From then on when I get an old engine with clean oil first thing I do is remove pan and look. Most of the time it is as above. If oil is dirty I usually go ahead and start her up and get hot and change oil. If that oil is dirty, the dirt hasn't settled out yet.

Walterdavies · Jul 23, 2009

Remember its only about 150,000,000 years old when you bought it.
Walt
PS run the engine for a while every couple of months to keep the water out.

ScottyHOMeY · Jul 23, 2009

If it wasn't terribly used (like way overdue for a change), it shold be okay. If you had occasion to start and warm it up good with a little work from time to time that couldn't hurt to evaporate any water from condensation that may have accumulated or be suspended or emulsified with the oil. If it's not feasible to stretch its legs now and then, just crack the plug a little before you start it before you next start it and drain until you're getting just oil.

bill mart · Jul 23, 2009

could it been non-detergent oil? thats the way it works allowing everything to settle out. bill m.

MSD · Jul 23, 2009

I have a 39 H JD that I overhauled. The crankcase was power washed so I know it was clean. It had fresh oil and a new filter when I finished it. After running it a few times it got put in the back of the shed for the next five years. When I finally got it out again, it had no oil pressure. I pulled the filter and it had the slimiest sludge in it. The crankcase was the same way. I had to pull the oil pump and clean it out also. So in my opinion, yes, oil does degrade from sitting. It was Mobil brand oil I used.

Heyseed · Jul 24, 2009

Come on Walt, what comes out of the ground and out of a bottle are just a tiny bit different. It is like saying fill a glass with potato skins, it is the same as Vodka

Walterdavies · Jul 24, 2009

HeySeed what comes out of the ground is Crude what we use is separated from the rest of the crude we add a few things and clean it up a bit but its still millions of years old.
Like water how old is it and why do people worry about drinking old water.
Walt

Allan in NE · Jul 24, 2009

That reminds me,

I gotta get that gravel changed out on the driveway. Been there for some time now. :>)

Allan

lucas boy · Jul 24, 2009

id start it and let it get hot ,then look at how the oil looks. oil sometimes looks new after setting a long time,because the dirt has settled out .

INCase · Jul 24, 2009

A problem with the age of the oil is the acids that form in the oil from use. That is why many companies say to change at 6 months or once a year. A high quality oil with a high TBN (total base number) can handle acids better for a longer time. Synthetics typically have higher TBN's and are better for longer term storage. Yeah I know there's been a ton of debates on oil here but the are NOT all created equally. I usually rationale the cost of oil versus the cost of a new engine... not much debate there.

dhermesc · Jul 24, 2009

I agree.

My mom drives about 1500 miles a year so I put Mobile 1 in her car with a Wix filter. Between the two hopefully it won't harm her 2 year maintenance schedule......

cornfarmer · Jul 24, 2009

Allan-have you tried that new synthetic gravel on your old drive?

Oil life in unused tractor

Anonymous-0

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buickanddeere

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Paul from MI

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Anonymous-0

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ldj

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Walterdavies

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ScottyHOMeY

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bill mart

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MSD

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Heyseed

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Walterdavies

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Allan in NE

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lucas boy

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INCase

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dhermesc

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cornfarmer

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