KM4A lube oil - again...

[LotNick]

Hello; I'm trying to get the right oil for my first oil change in our Leopard 45. In search for the right oil, I consulted our forum and - as always, a lot of conflicting info. Some even suggested using the engine oil, and while my experience is not really excessive on the field, I have never encountered a transmission that would require same oil as the engine. So I turned to the manuals - and here we go, conflicting info again. The KM4A manual suggests "SAE20/30 without multi grade oil", Yanmar 4jh manual "marine gear lube oil is different from engine lube oil" and a list follows with basically ATF oils listed, another Yanmar 3/4jh manual suggests "fill with marine gear-clutch lube oil". Data plate is 20/30HD oil. Now, the HD oil types I found are mainly engine oils for lawn movers; ATF is easy as they are listed but I found a promising "BP Autran 4 SAE 30" which is a transmission oil specially designed for Caterpillar equipment. Am I being too paranoid about it? Is it really not so important?

[Empty Pockets]

I put 30HD in mine, per the data plate.

[sailormed]

Originally Posted by Empty Pockets

I put 30HD in mine, per the data plate.

Same for me, same oil as the engine for past 7 years. KISS

[Compass790]

Originally Posted by LotNick

Hello; I'm trying to get the right oil for my first oil change in our Leopard 45. In search for the right oil, I consulted our forum and - as always, a lot of conflicting info. Some even suggested using the engine oil, and while my experience is not really excessive on the field, I have never encountered a transmission that would require same oil as the engine. So I turned to the manuals - and here we go, conflicting info again. The KM4A manual suggests "SAE20/30 without multi grade oil", Yanmar 4jh manual "marine gear lube oil is different from engine lube oil" and a list follows with basically ATF oils listed, another Yanmar 3/4jh manual suggests "fill with marine gear-clutch lube oil". Data plate is 20/30HD oil. Now, the HD oil types I found are mainly engine oils for lawn movers; ATF is easy as they are listed but I found a promising "BP Autran 4 SAE 30" which is a transmission oil specially designed for Caterpillar equipment. Am I being too paranoid about it? Is it really not so important?

If in doubt just use what manual says. Our YSM8 Yanmar with Kanzaki Transmission uses SAE30 CD for both gearbox & engine according to w/shop manual ( I happen to use 15W-40 for both but you should stick with manufacturers recommendations ) As far as I remember from my youth many wet clutch motorbikes used common engine & transmission oil. I certainly would not use ATF

[dfelsent]

I went through the confusion and trying to figure out what to use as well.
Eventually I noticed that the transmission nameplate answered my question.

[Carver Power]

My Yanmar 4jh3e likes Shell Rotella 30 wt.

[svEnchantment]

I have a year model 2000 KMA transmission with a 1.68 gear ratio. It has always been filled with 30HD. It has had Rotella 30w for the last 8 years.

Rob

[sailon46]

FYI my 4JH3HTE with Kanzaki Trans had Has a sticker with ATF on it. When I emptied the old one it was red. So I replaced it with ATF not the Dextron type just the regular stuff. Everything working ok. I also use it for replenishing my Auto pilot fluid once every 2-3 years if it drops an inch in the tank.

Ernie on the Mary Jane

[pcmm]

The oil is on the label for the trans. should have SAE30 stamped on it. Just put in regular 30et oil in it. Doesn't take much 1.3ltr