Convetional 15w40 vs Synthetic?

I can understand that situation. I get my oil by drums also. The price is the same for me with either 15w40 or 10w30. And since you are primarily in the south, and you have 15w40 on hand already, there is no reason to not use it. I was apprehensive about trying the 10w30 myself. I was stuck in the same rut as everyone else. My oil rep prodded me and prodded me to give it a try. I finally conceded I would and, frankly, I am glad I did. If for nothing else, but to see first hand that it can do the job as well as any 15w40. Oil consumption was probably my first major concern, but I don't use any more 10w30 between oil changes than I did 15w40. Now all my diesels have 10w30 in them. I even use the very same oil for my Yamaha portable generator and my John Deere Zero turn mower. It is nice to have one oil that covers just about all the bases for me.

 

The one oil fits all is a big plus. I wish I could do that. Most everything I have is diesel but we have some gas pickups that spec 5W-20. I buy that in jugs for them. I would be scared to use even the 10w30 in them. Maybe it wouldn't hurt though. Luckily they don't use much oil at least not near as much as the diesels. I used to buy gallon jugs at sams and man it was a hassle. Between the Pete, the dump truck, the farm tractor, backhoe, etc that is a lot of oil.

You are using schaeffer right? I have always heard it is great stuff but it sure is pricey. I use deere +50. I think the last drum I got was around $800. When I got a quote on schaeffer it was over $1000. They say it is cheaper because you can run longer intervals but I just can't make myself do that even though I know with their sampling and such they are right. I just like changing it on my intervals I am comfortable with. Several of our machines don't get a lot of use and get changed once a year which I assume wouldn't change regardless of the oil.