Quote:
Originally Posted by bgm1961
I've been living in an apartment for the past 15 years and moved into a new house a few months ago. So, I'm new to riding mowers.
I recently bought a Cub Cadet ZT1 50", with about five cuttings behind me. So far, I'm happy with my purchase, and I intend to keep it that way!
My first (5 hr) oil change is coming up. It seems that 10W-30 is the most common/prevalent viscosity sold locally.
However, the Kawaski Engine manual writes: "10W-40 is the recommended oil for most conditions." Of course, it doesn't preclude other weights, calling for them based on the operating ambient temperature range.
So, according to the manual's oil chart:
- 10W-30 is suggested for 14 deg F to 90 deg F ambient temps.
- 10W-40 is suggested for the wider range of 14 def F to 110 deg F.
Where I live in Missouri, the temp often climbs above 90 deg several times during the summer. So, their recommendation of 10W-40 seems the way to go.
BUT:
10W-30 is pretty much the only weight the local stores sell for small 4 cycle engines.
Except, Lowes does sell Kawasaki brand 10W-40! It's the ONLY 10W-40 they sell, and it's the ONLY weight sold with the Kawasaki brand. Not to mention that it's like a $1,000 per quart. <grin>
QUESTIONS:
As such, I wonder if Kawasaki recommends 10W-40 only to help with the sales of their own-branded motor oil (which again, is 10W-40), or if 10W-40 is indeed the best viscosity for 80 deg to 95 deg summer days?
So then, if it's the latter, then why don't the local stores stock more 10W-40???
What viscosity to you guys use and would recommend?
Thanks!
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If you’re in Missouri, I’m real close climate-wise (Overland Park, KS). I have a 2023 ZT1-50 and a 2012 Cub LTX1050 KW rider with nearly 500 hours on it, both with the same Kawasaki engine you have.
I also owned and autocrossed air-cooled Corvair turbos for ten years in the ‘70s, so have lots of experience with air-cooled engines which get a LOT of cooling from their lubricating oil. I ran Castrol 20W-50 in the Corvairs, and have used that or, as a minimum, 10W-40 in both mowers. Corvairs were HARD on the oil of that period - the recommended oil change interval on those engines was 6,000 miles or 60 DAYS(!), and that oil was Black after 60 days! I had zero lubrication or wear problems with either of the two Corvairs or the Cubs I currently run. Unless you’re using your rider in cold weather that might require the 10W for the low temperature - say under 40 degrees - like plowing snow, I’d focus more on the upper end of the temperature scale.
Those Kawasaki engines are solid. Neither has ever leaked or used a drop of oil between changes. I love ‘em. You can get whatever weight oil you decide on at any decent auto parts store - you don’t need to limit yourself to the mower shops.