Type of Oil for a John Deere Mower

Deere Brand

• The John Deere Company offers a line of oils and engine lubricants formulated for use in its products. Typically sold at John Deere retail centers, home improvement centers, farm supply and hardware stores, the company's Turf-Guard oil is one option for owners of its riding mowers and push mowers. Turf-Guard is ranked as having class-4 viscosity; this means the oil performs well in both high and low outdoor temperatures by circulating at a faster cycle rate. Turf-Guard is available in standardized 10 and 15 weights; choosing between them is dependent on the job and the mower.

30 vs. 40

• Turf-Guard is formulated for the gas-powered and lighter diesel-fueled engines common in most of John Deere's mowers. For engines that run at temperatures between -4 degrees Fahrenheit, Society of Automotive Engineers-rated 10W-30 is recommended. Mowers that run at temperatures in this range are push mowers and most small riding tractors. Commercial mowers – the larger kind on which the operator stands, usually used by professional landscapers – are usually diesel-fueled and run -4 degrees Fahrenheit to higher than 122 degrees. If you own these mowers, the company’s website recommends either a 10W-40 or 15W-40.

Diesel

• Those who have diesel-fueled engines on their larger John Deere mowers have a choice: either go with Turf-Guard or purchase Plus-50 oil for their machines. Plus-50 is ranked at having 0W, or zero weight, a special formulation that the company claims blocks harmful internal oxidation and reduces oil sludge and sediment deposits. The company also claims that fuel efficiency is increased by nearly 3 percent over that of its standard 15W-40 offering. Plus-50 is intended for diesel mowers only.

Warning

• The engines in John Deere equipment aren’t unlike other gas or diesel-fueled engines: They need oil to prevent heat friction, which can cause internal components to melt and fuse together. While owners can certainly purchase Deere-brand oil, any engine oil listed in the same weight category will suffice. Routinely check your mower’s oil reserves and change the oil at least once every season to prolong the life of the engine.