Oil changes

[TJ in IN]

I have a 520 and a 1020 that were my father-in-laws. they obviously have sentimental value so i don"t want to get sell them but I seldom run them. I just either mow the woods with a bush hog or disc up the garden up in the spring. Mostly of that is to just run them for a few hours every couple months. My question is how often most collectors who run these tractors infrequently change the oil? Still every year? they may run only 5-10 easy hours a year

 

[Fred.]

I change the oil and filter in mine every year because of mosture that gets in the oil

 

[2cylpartsinfo]

I agree, oil change once a year.

You did not ask, but gas only has a shelf life of 2-3 months. Many people are installing a drain valve in the bottom of the carb. (if the carb. has a provision). Other options are running the tractors out of gas or an additives

 

[ArnieinChesterfieldVa]

You guys never cease to amaze me at the great tips.

One thing that might be helpful & it HAS been mentioned on the boards before, the stabilizer sold at Tractor Supply called Startron works wonders in keeping this new style gas in good condition. From what I'm understanding the normal stabilizers that have been on the shelves for many years DOES NOT keep the gas & alcohol from separating....whereas Startron DOES. Snowmobilers in upstate N.Y. are using it religiously & it keeps their sleds from messing up when they sit all the way from March til December with the same gas.

Arnie

 

[Mike M]

If they sit where you can get moisture then once a year I'd agree.

Mine sit in a heated building so don't get condensation. I let some of them go along time.

I forgot about our 4020 gas it sits where the weather changes,but doesn't seem to effect the oil ? I go by the hour meter which may only get 100 hours in a couple of years now ? Don't let it go past 150 hrs. and keep an eye on it to see how clean it looks.
The hyd. oil went for many many years and only about 500 hrs. ? Changed it last year and it still looked fine and no junk came out or was in the screen either. Change the antifreeze every so often too ! Don't forget this in your wet sleeved tractors. Every year seems like overkill on these low use machines ? likely no good answer. These things are still better off with regular use and being able to follow the book on maintenance. Mine don't get either ,but seem to be fine. They don't get totally neglected,just not done by the letter of the book.

 

[sws55]

When a tractor has been sitting for over a week almost all of any water in your engine oil should be separated from the oil and settled at the bottom of the oil pan. You have the opportunty to crack the oil drain plugs and drain out any condensed water before you start the tractor. You probably only need to do that twice a year to be effective.

You can do this for the transmission oil too.

Does anyone know if those 22 ounce bottles of antifreeze re-conditioner do much to extend the life of antifreeze?