Skip to content 
Case No. 1 Engine Oil is built to meet the three main MAT standards MAT 3571, 3572, and 3622. These exist because modern Case IH equipment uses advanced engine technology that demands more from its oil than generic specs require.
Here’s how you can check if a motor oil works as an alternative to Case No. 1: First, check for MAT approval:
- MAT 3571 for 0W-40/10W-40
- MAT 3572 for 15W-40/10W-30. T
If you can’t find a MAT-approved oil, make sure it at least meets API CK-4 and, for Tier 4 engines, uses Low-SAPS technology to protect DPFs and exhaust catalysts. ECF-3 compliance is a plus.
Non-MAT oils also mean shorter drain intervals. Case No. 1 is the only oil approved for extended drains.
Side note: You can review modern API standards to see how general ratings like CK-4 compare to these specific OEM requirements.
Alternatives to Case IH No. 1 Engine Oil
The following lubricants are formulated to meet the base technical specifications required for machinery where Case IH No. 1 engine oil comes as the factory fill, much like Massey Ferguson oil alternatives for AGCO equipment.
TRIAX Agra Plus ESP 15W-40
TRIAX Agra Plus ESP 15W-40 CK-4 Diesel Engine Oil
TRIAX Agra Plus ESP 15W-40 is a synthetic blend diesel engine oil built for agricultural equipment running under heavy load. It is suitable for use where Case IH No. 1 is recommended.
If your tractor regularly runs near peak power, this oil is engineered for exactly that. Triax claims that this can support 600+ hour drain intervals, even at 90% load. This engine oil uses Nano Boron & Moly technology to reduce wear on pistons, bearings, and turbochargers.
Quick specs:
- API CK-4 / CI-4
- Volvo VDS 4.5
- Cummins CES 20081, 20086
- CAT ECF-3
- 600+ hr drain interval
Real users report noticeably quieter engines and smoother cold starts after switching, on TYM and John Deere equipment specifically. One owner logged 200 hours on a JD 5045 without issues.
Also compatible with:
- API CK-4, CI-4
- VOLVO VDS 4.5
- Cummins CES 20081, 20086
- CAT ECF-3
Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic 15W-40
Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil
Shell Rotella T6 15W-40 is a full synthetic heavy-duty diesel engine oil engineered to meet the performance standards of Case IH No. 1.
Quick specs:
- Kinematic viscosity @ 40°C: 103.8 mm²/s
- Kinematic viscosity @ 100°C: 14.7 cSt
- Viscosity index: 146
- CCS viscosity @ -20°C: 4,400 cP
- Density @ 15°C: 855 kg/m³
- Flash point: 249°C
- Pour point: -39°C
This oil exceeds API CK-4 wear protection requirements by 50%, with notably stronger corrosion protection for copper and lead components. Shell also claims 70% more oxidation resistance than the CK-4 standard requires.
In independent freeze testing at -40°C, it outflowed competing brands including Mobil Delvac, Royal Purple, and Amsoil.
Real users running it in mixed diesel and gas fleets call it one of the better value full synthetics available, often at nearly half the cost of premium boutique oils at similar drain intervals. It also carries JASO MA/MA2 approval, making it safe for wet clutch applications like motorcycles.
Also compatible with:
- Cummins CES 20081, 20086
- Caterpillar ECF-2, ECF-3
- Volvo VDS-4.5
- Mack EO-S 4.5
John Deere Plus-50 II 15W-40
John Deere Plus-50 II 15W-40 Premium Engine Oil
John Deere Plus-50 II is a proprietary heavy-duty engine oil formulated exclusively by John Deere engineers. Compatible with systems where Case IH No. 1 is specified.
It is built for both modern Tier 4 low-emission engines and older heritage diesel equipment running under the high loads and thermal stress typical of off-road agricultural work.
Quick specs:
- Viscosity @ 40°C: 128.0 cSt
- Viscosity @ 100°C: 15.4–15.6 cSt
- Viscosity index: 127
- HTHS viscosity @ 150°C: 4.30 cP
- TBN: 10.5 mg KOH/g
- Flash point: 210–225°C
- Pour point: -36°C
- Sulfated ash: 1.0 mass%
Unlike oils that simply meet minimum industry standards, Plus-50 II is tested on John Deere’s own severe high-temperature dyno (JDQ-78X), which exceeds API CK-4 requirements. In that test, it showed a viscosity increase of only 36% against a 120% limit, and an oxidation score of 12 against a limit of 71. These numbers are significantly better than the threshold.
Formal user reviews are limited on retail platforms. John Deere acknowledges that cheaper oils may avoid catastrophic failure but argues Plus-50 II delivers a cleaner engine, more power, and longer engine life over time. That’s a reasonable position given the test data.
Also compatible with approvals from:
- Mack: EOS-4.5, EO-O Premium Plus 07, EO-O Premium Plus 03
- Cummins: CES 20086, 20081, 20077, 20076, 20075
- Volvo: VDS-4.5, VDS-4, VDS-3, VDS-2
- Caterpillar: ECF-3, ECF-2, ECF-1-a, TO-2
- Detroit Diesel: 93K222, 93K218, 93K214
- Mercedes-Benz: 228.31
Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40
Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil
Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40 is a premium synthetic blend diesel engine oil and an alternative for equipment specifying Case IH No. 1 engine oil.
Developed in close collaboration with major OEMs, it covers both modern aftertreatment-equipped engines and older heavy-duty diesel designs.
Quick specs:
- Kinematic viscosity @ 40°C: 109 mm²/s
- Kinematic viscosity @ 100°C: 14 mm²/s
- Viscosity index: 136
- HTHS viscosity @ 150°C: 4 mPa·s
- TBN: 9.4 mgKOH/g
- Flash point: 225°C
- Pour point: -33°C
- Sulfated ash: 0.9 mass%
User feedback backs up the spec sheet. One commercial operator ran a DD15 engine for 888,000 miles on Delvac exclusively without a rebuild. A 1996 F-350 owner with 345,000 miles credits it for long engine life.
Users also report smoother idle and less crankcase vapor compared to Shell Rotella T4. That said, at least one marine user found Rotella held oil pressure better over a full service interval in a Cummins engine.
Also compatible with approvals from:
- Cummins: CES 20086, 20081
- Detroit Fluids: DFS 93K218, 93K222
- Mack: EOS-4.5, EO-O Premium Plus, EO-N Premium Plus 03
- Volvo: VDS-4.5, VDS-4, VDS-3, VDS-2
- Caterpillar: ECF-3
- Mercedes-Benz: 228.31 | Renault Trucks: RLD-3 | MAN: M 3575 | Deutz: DQC II-10 LA
Lucas Oil Magnum 15W-40 CK-4
Lucas Oil SAE 15W-40 CK-4 Heavy Duty Motor Oil
Lucas Oil Magnum 15W-40 is a conventional heavy-duty diesel engine oil compatible for use in place of Case IH No. 1 engine oil.
Blended from API Group II and Group III base stocks, it targets modern CK-4 engines while staying fully compatible with older equipment.
The Magnum formula focuses on a few practical problems: soot buildup, filter wear, and thermal breakdown. Lucas claims it maintains lower soot levels to reduce filter maintenance, resists oxidation at high temperatures, and can safely blend with other motor oils without issue.
Users also associate the brand broadly with quieter engines (reduced ticks and knocks) especially in high-mileage equipment. One long-term user notes that their equipment continues to start and run like new across diesel, gas, and 2-cycle applications. Another specifically chose this conventional formula for a 1966 and 1989 Chevy, citing the extra lubrication older engine designs need.
It’s a straightforward, no-frills conventional oil that covers a wide range of equipment without the price premium of full synthetic.
Closing Notes
Case IH No. 1 built its reputation the old-fashioned way: through decades of reliable performance in wet-clutch tractors, flat-tappet valvetrains, and heavy agricultural diesel engines.
Long-time users describe it less as an engine oil and more as a system oil, known for strong detergents, high anti-wear additives, and stable viscosity under load. Engines stayed remarkably clean internally over years of use.
Today, oils meeting the same certifications are far closer in performance than they once were. For most modern applications, the specification matters more than the brand. If an alternative matches the correct viscosity, OEM approval, and duty cycle, it will generally perform the same.
