Oil Prices

[Fixersteve]

Hi guys, I have just done a online order with morris oils for all the oil i need for my 63 NP Super major and the total is £348 inc vat. does that sound about right?? or can i get it cheaper eslewhere?? I havent ordered it yet just scoping out costs.

Cheer
Steve

[AdrianNPMajor]

Hi Steve

If that's engine, gearbox and rear axle then it doesn't sound far out. My father used to say that tractors like the Major do a pretty good imitation of an oil tanker!

Be sure to check out Brian's recommendations on this site for the oil specs.

Best

Adrian

[AdrianNPMajor]

By the way, if you don't want to have a heart attack, don't look at the lubrication chart in the back of the NP Super Operator's Handbook. According to the chart the gearbox oil should be replaced every six months and the oil in the rear axle every 12 months.

There's a another topic currently being discussed about water in the gearbox and rear axle oil. This arises from a build-up of condensation - one of the reasons for periodic oil changes.

Best

Adrian

[Fixersteve]

Cheers Adrian, Just been to Kernow Oils who are in the unit next to where I work and they can do me the same grade as the morris but from Exol Classic for £206 incl vat!! woop woop £150 saved!

[super6954]

Cheers Adrian, Just been to Kernow Oils who are in the unit next to where I work and they can do me the same grade as the morris but from Exol Classic for £206 incl vat!! woop woop £150 saved!

Hi steve
Over here in Canada oil from the local ag coop is $90 a 20 ltr pail. The manager asked me one day how come I buy about $1000 of hoses and crimp fittings most years, but no oil unless a customer wants it for their job. Told him I buy from wal mart for 45- $50 a pail.
He turned round and said it was cheap junk oil, It kinda went quiet when I said if i was fixing $100.000 tractors Id put $90 a pail oil in yeah walmart oil might be Cheap but I've never had a problem with it in any tractors of mine, and some of my customers have used it for years too
Shopping around can pay off big some days like you say with how much the major consumes on a full oil service
Regards Robert

[Bensdexta]

Is there a simple way of filtering oil to make it last a bit longer, especially after a rebuild?

I believe years ago truckers used to use a Toilet Roll Filter, basically a tube with toilet rolls stacked end on end - just pour oil in one end and it comes out cleaner the other...?

No idea how effective it is

[AdrianNPMajor]

Hi Robert

What's your opinion on the gearbox and rear axle oil change intervals listed in the Major handbook? Do you stick to the stated intervals, or do you 'stretch' them as I think most of us do? I'm just wondering if it's better to put cheaper oil in more often than more expensive oil less often. There's a poser for you!

Best

Adrian

[Pavel]

I would suggest, Adrian, that the oil one uses, and how often it is changed, would depend, not just on the recommended service intervals, but on the value and reliability placed on one's tractor -- Major or otherwise.
I would agree with Bensdexta that the 'toilet roll' filter has merit in removing excess dust, rust and carbon particles [some small aftermarket filter manufacturers still claim to use this process] but the bottom line is that modern oils also use 'additives' to control and lessen wear and shear, reduce foaming plus oil seal conditioners and others; and these additives all have a 'use by date' because they are destroyed and depleted over time.
As Robert pointed out, good money can be saved by buying oils from such as WalMart and in the UK, probably Halfords. Both of those companies sell known brands cheaper.
Pavel

[AdrianNPMajor]

Thanks, Pavel. Clearly explained.

Best

Adrian

[super6954]

Hi Robert

What's your opinion on the gearbox and rear axle oil change intervals listed in the Major handbook? Do you stick to the stated intervals, or do you 'stretch' them as I think most of us do? I'm just wondering if it's better to put cheaper oil in more often than more expensive oil less often. There's a poser for you!

Best

Adrian

Hi Adrian
Guys never did it for the last 30 years of a majors life or more so why do it that often now most of the damage will already have been long done .
As long as it's not contaminated with water I leave mine alone after the initial change after purchase , most of the majors around probably don't work that hard anymore.
How long would it take you to put 250 hours on yours , I think a guy could live with not doing it that often but that's my opinion.
Most cheaper oils are still good youre just not paying for a name on a container you throw away when it's empty .
I have one customer that changes for new tractors pretty often, I sometimes get TDH that comes out of his new ones at first or second service time. He puts it in clean pails for me then I let it sit for a while so the JD metal settles to the bottom , then I draw the good oil from the top and use that in mine. its my part of saving the planet recycling oil then the enviromental collection guy takes the 40 year old "NASTY" stuff away
Regards Robert

[Bensdexta]

What about just changing the filters?

Think that's common practice for cars using synthetic oil.

[AdrianNPMajor]

Hi Robert

Makes sense what you say. Here's another question - how do you rate the hydraulic pump on the Major? Years ago an oil supplier told me that the pump on the Major could pump squashed bananas! I didn't find any fruit from the Windward Islands in the back end of my tractor , but there was plenty of sludge and filth on the floor of the housing when I took it apart. I was so convinced that the pump would be shot that I bought a replacement on eBay. But rather than fit the replacement straight away I thought I would leave the old one in situ and try it with a clean system and fresh oil and lo and behold it maintains 2,400 psi without trying.

So my own limited experience of the Major pump tells me that it is a very forgiving bit of kit that is happy to churn less than the best stuff! Perhaps not squashed bananas though!

Best

Adrian

[Tubal Cain]

I can buy Morris oils from the local Dealer cheaper than from Morris direct. So perhaps you should shop around at your local Dealers', to see what they are charging.

Gerald

[Bensdexta]

I can buy Morris oils from the local Dealer cheaper than from Morris direct. So perhaps you should shop around at your local Dealers', to see what they are charging.

What price are you paying?

[Dandy Dave]

Cheep or Expensive, oils have a standard that they need to be made to. A big place like Walmart buys directly from the manufacturer, or refinery, and cuts out all the middle men dealing that they can so they can keep there prices lower than the average tractor parts dealer just down the road. I've used Walmart oil without any problem myself. Much of it is brand name like Shell Rotella oil or the like. The only thing that buying the more expensive oil from the little guy will do is help keep him in business. Dandy Dave!

[Gman]

Shell Rotella from walmart in my engine. Trans and rearend oil from New Holland dealer although the local dealer stopped having it, now he has kabota oil and tells me it is the same. I really don't think so.
Good luck.

[super6954]

Hi Robert

Makes sense what you say. Here's another question - how do you rate the hydraulic pump on the Major? Years ago an oil supplier told me that the pump on the Major could pump squashed bananas! I didn't find any fruit from the Windward Islands in the back end of my tractor , but there was plenty of sludge and filth on the floor of the housing when I took it apart. I was so convinced that the pump would be shot that I bought a replacement on eBay. But rather than fit the replacement straight away I thought I would leave the old one in situ and try it with a clean system and fresh oil and lo and behold it maintains 2,400 psi without trying.

So my own limited experience of the Major pump tells me that it is a very forgiving bit of kit that is happy to churn less than the best stuff! Perhaps not squashed bananas though!

Best

Adrian

Hi Adrian
Out of all the new and power majors I've owned so far that ran I've never had a pump that didn't work the 3 point or loader. If they work under load then I don't pressure test them unless there is an issue, why go looking for more costs and problems if it lifts a load good and quick when hot . All of them that have been slow I find has been plugged filter on the suction side,fixed by a clean out and fresh oil or a leaking lift seal .

I sold a used pump to a guy for A new Major as his had frost damage from - 40oc Canada winter weather / water in the oil . The wreckers round me have sold all their used ones as they sent that guy to me , so I'm thinking that could be from frost cracks rather than wear .

I see more problems with the supers they don't seem to like junk watery oil . I think that whole system is more sensitive than the older ones, But have not changed a pump in there either I still have my spare on the shelf ,I did put new seals in for a guy once. I just seem to clean the stuck valves/ put new lift seals in. when thats done they seem to of had good pressure too .

My feeling is yes most of them would probably suck up mashed Banana from the scum I've taken out of tractor transmissions I guess it would just depend on what chunks of metal/filings had gone through the screen and into the pump how many there are that fail due to wear. Maybe in over 25 Majors and 24 years I've been lucky .
Regards Robert

[origin]

My half oil half water sludge in the back end of the tractor, luckly has not damaged the pump for me, and I have run it down at -25 (with the oil heated up) and no problems. I do plan on changing the rear end oil here while my other maintenances is going on.

for me, because I work for a Ford Dealership, I use Motorcraft 15w40 diesel oil in the engine.

[Dextrous]

Try Hallet Oils of St Helens. I needed a particular grade of oil for my lathe headstock and it was silly money and quantities elsewhere. They provide oil for steam enthusiasts too. Only draw back is that they dont post, but I'm sure you coud arrange a courier. The shop is in the middle of the manufacturing plant and can blend you virtually anything you want. Very friendly and helpful too