NOTE: For 6068SFM50 engines, the oil and filter is changed at 500 hour/12 month intervals. See next section.
During break-in, change engine oil and filter for the first time before 100 hours maximum of operation, then every 250 hours thereafter.
If John Deere PLUS-50® engine oil and a John Deere oil filter are used, the oil and filter change interval may be extended to 375 hours.
NOTE: If the above recommendations are not followed, the recommended oil and filter change interval is every 250 hours/ or 6 months. If diesel fuel with a sulfur content greater than 0.05% (500 ppm) is used, reduce the oil and filter change interval by 100 hours.
OILSCAN is a John Deere sampling program to help you monitor machine performance and identify potential problems before they cause serious damage. OILSCAN kits are available from your John Deere dealer. Oil samples should be taken prior to the oil change. Refer to instructions provided with kit.
This comes out of the John Deere service manual for 6068 engines.
I have never understood the strategy of frequent oil sample analysis to extend the interval between oil changes. It seems like a lot of trouble to gain an extra 100 hours or so between changes. Oil sample with each oil change? Sure.
I have a John Deere 4045AFM85. Recommended oil change interval is 250 hours. So at 250 I spend $90 and 30 minutes doing what John Deere recommends. Simple. Even if I had twins, changing the oil is not that big of a deal.
Of course there are environmental benefits to extending the interval. One must weigh those against the benefits of following manufacturer's guidelines and avoiding any problems with erroneous sample data.
Given most of us are running well below full load and less than 200 hours per year, has anyone experienced an engine failure due to lubrication issues when following the "book."
I don't know what happened. The dealer is old school, deals with waterman and not really a oil analysis guy unless there's an issue. He is very helpful and forwarded me an internal white paper on wear metal levels for all their engines. The normal range numbers are scary high but based on a 10,000 life expectancy before rebuild. According to JD's numbers, I was well within allowable limits. I installed the motor and am already at 2,400 hours, so really want to exceed the 10,000 life expectancy.Ted, Yes, I do oil analysis with each change. My engine is young, but so far no issues.
I am surprised that the wear protection in the JD oil apparently breaks down during the 250 hour interval. Especially since you run at a fairly light load. Any thoughts on why that happens? And would using a synthetic help?
I ran our Deere engines (4045 and 6090) to the same published guidelines EXCEPT where did you get the 500 hr interval in your first statement? Is that a typo, and meant to be 250 hrs? I've never seen a Deere spec for more than 250 hrs other than using their magic oil, and then it's only up to 350 hrs.
Worth noting is that there is no spec alteration for synthetic vs traditional oil. The change interval is the same. Those are the mfg guidelines, so the best starting point. From there, there is endless discussion about all the variations that you can do, if you are so motivated.
I have never seen an engine identified as a 6068sfm50. Since it is called out as an exception i’ve always assumed it was an engine with a giant oil pan or some other additional oil reservoir. I don’t know why it is an exception.