After a lot of research I finally decided on a Exmark 72 inch diesel , I am a retired farmer from Illinois . As a farmer I needed a side hustle so I started mowing cemeteries, which lead to residual properties, which led to me deciding I was making more money mowing then I was farming . I have been a loyal Kubota diesel mower customer for over twenty years , and even though I believe the reliability of the Kubota is top notch , their deck and quality of cut is very poor and I finally had enough. I have used the Exmark about 5 hours so far and I must say I have been very impressed. On a new diesel mower I always changed oil first time at 50 hours and then every 100 hours , and I always use shell rotella 15-40 in my tractor and Mobil delvac 1300 super 15-40 which is a synthetic blend in my diesel mowers . When would you suggest I change oil first time and can I use my oil or should I stick with the Exmark oil ? Thanks so much
My new ride and question about oil
- Thread starter wagner
- Start date
If it was mine, oil and filter dumps after three successive mows, stretch to 10 hours a few mows then twice a year regardless of hours/time/operational cycles. Oil is cheap compared to a new Diesel engine and labor.
You must get all that break in metal out. Your first few dumps will have heavy metal flakes in the pan.
Use the oil grade recommended in your ENGINE manual.
You must get all that break in metal out. Your first few dumps will have heavy metal flakes in the pan.
Use the oil grade recommended in your ENGINE manual.
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Hello W.,
Exmark (Toro) does not require a special oil for their diesel engines, that would be market product steering which is illegal.
Use a good brand such as Shell Rotella and change every 200 hrs. under normal conditions. If it is extra dusty conditions, change it more often along with the air cleaner. The life of any diesel relies on clean oil and clean air. (Your being a farmer, you already know this.)
Exmark (Toro) does not require a special oil for their diesel engines, that would be market product steering which is illegal.
Use a good brand such as Shell Rotella and change every 200 hrs. under normal conditions. If it is extra dusty conditions, change it more often along with the air cleaner. The life of any diesel relies on clean oil and clean air. (Your being a farmer, you already know this.)
Locomotive1969
Forum Newbie
Read the manual. Probably says change at 50 hours then every 100-200 hours. The oil filter will catch any break in debris so no worries. At 5 hours your engine's rings have set and bearings are worn in. Change oil and filter now if you want. At 10-15 hours unscrew the oil filter and if any sparkles in the oil then change oil and filter if you want. Do what gives you peace of mind. Main thing to do is check oil level before you use the mower for the day, keep the air filter clean, grease at regular intervals, and a little fuel additive every now and then. Congrats on your purchase and may you knock down many acres of grass!
Thanks for all the replies, the owners manual says to change oil and filter first time at 200 hours and then every 200 hours thereafter. I think that is to long on both fronts so I reached out to a Exmark tech who told me if it was his he would change it at 100 hours first time and then at 200 hours thereafter. I now have 62 hours on the mower and will probably end with about 75 by the end of the year . I plan on changing it next spring at 75 hours and then change it at the 100 hour mark every time going forward. I plan on using mobile delvac 1300 15-40 diesel oil. I check oil level every time before I start and it has stayed at the full mark.
Coming from an old retired Cat guy............is subscribing to a lube oil analysis program an idea? I do not know what the going price of a spectrographic analysis is in todays world...perhaps that cost would overshadow the cost of lube oil changes. In high capacity sumps it makes sense. Early detection of fuel injector issues, leaking air filtration systems, and excessive ring wear can save money for sure.
Just an idea..
Just an idea..
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50 hours oil and oil filter-change it. Or if you are cheap and stubborn, go 200 hours oil and oil filter before changing. In an air cooled small engine, oil is crucial. The engine runs at wide open throttle, is air cooled (no radiator), and operates under dusty/dirty conditions often. Changing the oil, and the air filter clean are very important.