Pony motor oil

When originally built the spec for engine oil on your D4 (for both the pony and main) was Superior Lubricants (series 3) or MIL-L-2104A, above freezing S.A.E 30W, below freezing S.A.E.10W. In modern equivalents you can use what ever high quality oils you like that meet modern spec, 30W if you are in a moderate climate, or multigrades such as 15-40 or 10-30, the most important thing is that the oil in the pony is full, fresh, clean and not diluted with gasoline, as they are prone to do. If you only use the tractor once a year or so, the best thing you can do is put fresh oil in it every time you use it, unless you are sure the oil has not been diluted and is clean, cheap insurance.

https://www.petersoncat.com/sites/cat/files/downloads/Cat%20DEO.pdf

Josh that sounds like some advice that would ensure a long life for any pony engine. I like to start my d2 every few weeks to keep everything lubed, big engine and all. I do check the pony oil each time make sure it’s tolerable. I also keep a trickle on the six volt battery. And I keep both fuel tanks toped off to keep condensation down. These are fun machines, I enjoy everything about owning them. Mike Hudson

Something comes to memory about using non-detergent 30w. I don’t remember if I read it somewhere or someone told me, but the reasoning was that since the pony’s have no filtration at all, its better to use non-detergent 30wt because any contaminants are more likely to sink to the bottom and accumulate there rather than stay in suspension as a modern off-the-shelf 30wt oil with detergents would and contribute to more wear. I don’t recall the source, and someone with more knowledge on the subject matter may chime in and say that’s a complete load of BS, but that’s what i recall…..

same as the engine. delo gold 15w 40. originally they were designed for 30 weight oil but that is all that was available then with today's additive technology multi grade oils are superior in most applications.

same as the engine. delo gold 15w 40. originally they were designed for 30 weight oil but that is all that was available then with today's additive technology multi grade oils are superior in most applications.

Hey trainskid I feel kinda the same way. Better stuff these day than when I was a kid. But doesn’t the big dozer motor, a diesel get engine oil specifically for a diesel?  I dont know enough about the specs on the oil can but I don’t put diesel motor oil in my pony engine or my lawn mower either. One of them has better cleaners I think. Just thinking out loud. 

Best to use Diesel engine oil in the diesel and Gas engine oil in the pony as there are some differences, but in these older gas engines it's not as important as with a new vehicle, most important for the older gas engines is to have the proper viscosity for the climate. In newer engines the additives in diesel oil can cause problems with gas engine catalytic converters, reduce efficiency and possibly other problems, not an issue with a old pony motor, likewise gas engine oil will not have the additives and shear capability to protect the diesel engine and keep it clean as burning diesel is much harder on the oil.

Another oil debate! I used Texaco Ursa oil (replaced by Delo 400) for diesel engines with great success in ALL my engines (yes, even lawnmowers) for over 30 years! Debate all you want but it's hard to beat that record. The main thing for starting engines is change the oil often! Oil is waaay cheaper than parts!
Craig

okay most oils made in the last 30yrs are what they call multi-service oils they will do diesel or petrol applications. in our honda mower and generator we ran delo silver 30 and it has factory approval for honda power equipment engines. the same oil went in our old ford tractor.

that is why for a example penrite makes a oil called hpr30 its a 20w60 API sm/cf grade oil. its a multi service oil.
the API american petroleum institute classification SM is for petrol engines class CF is for diesel engines. it meets both standards.
some current model diesels use oils that are more for petrol engines because of the emission systems and the need for very low sulphated ash content.

that said follow your preferred oil company's recommendation for your equipment. in most cases you can rationalise on one or two oils.
it has been done on ships for years, the military have done it for decades. as its cheaper and makes sourcing supplies easier instead of having 6 different drums of oil you have 2 or three 44 gal drums of different oils