Universal
We all want more for less – more productivity, more profit with less cost and less complexity. Everyone yearns for it, but not everyone believes it is actually achievable. Perhaps, to phrase it in lubrication-oriented terms, some will always see the sump as half-empty while others see it as half-full.
Making money is about striking a balance between productivity and costs. Many factors affect this balance, from the price you pay for machinery to its performance, reliability and durability, and of course ongoing running and maintenance costs. Lubrication is the common thread that connects productivity with the total cost of ownership, and we believe choosing the right lubricants can help off-road operators find the right balance and make more money.
Off road lubricant growth Off-road vehicles account for 10% of the global lubricant market demand, growing at 2.2% annually. This market further breaks down into agriculture, construction and mining, with Europe accounting for around 20% of the global off-road lubricant consumption. Off-road is an area often overlooked as a growth opportunity because there is little market information for this region. We have done research to better understand the needs of end users within this industry and gain further insight into how universal oils may offer a solution.
2016 was a tough year in off-road industries but confidence is growing in agriculture and construction with increased investment in urbanisation, infrastructure and housing. The mining industry outlook remains problematic with non-coal commodity prices staying low due to economic conditions. Operational excellence has become essential for survival in the off-road industry. Now more than ever, operators are focusing on the role of maintenance in reducing overall costs. Capital investment in new equipment is lower and replacement cycles for new machines are longer. This trend has led to recent growth in the second hand market for off-road equipment in mature European countries.
Universal solutions Off-road machinery is expected to undergo three ‘lifecycles’ after leaving the factory floor, meaning that a typical machine will have had at least three owners before reaching the end of
truths: Can off road operators really get more for less?
its life. Good maintenance protocols and the right lubricants are essential throughout to maximise the lifespan of every piece of equipment. As a consequence, the appeal of a universal oil has increased due to a growing fleet of pre-owned off-road equipment having different model years, hardware types and manufacturers.
Universal oils are driveline lubricants that can service many parts of the machine including oil-immersed brakes, transmissions, hydraulics, axles, final drives and in some cases the engine. This is an arduous task as high levels of performance are required of the lubricant for each hardware type. Further complexity is added when, depending on the model, there may be one or more sumps to maintain. We take a look at the benefits universal oils offer, in the face of these challenging operational requirements and differing market and end user needs.
Meeting the challenge Off-road agriculture, construction and mining equipment operates in severe environments. The pendulum of conditions can swing from extremely cold to hot operating temperatures and often include excessive exposure to dirt and water. Equipment is often heavily loaded, and may be used for as little as a few hours a day to constant 24-hour operation, seven days a week. Productivity is at a premium, so having the necessary lubricant to deal with these extremes is essential for keeping off-road vehicles in good condition.
Traditionally, the number of sumps on an off-road vehicle could lead to different ways of lubrication. Machines with a common sump could use a universal oil, whereas with multiple sumps a universal oil could be used in the driveline with the addition of an engine oil to meet the engine specification and OEM recommended specifications.
Users can also end up using a different lubricant for each part of the driveline, i.e. one lubricant for wet brakes, another for transmissions, yet another for axles, and so on. This leads to costly investment in product and storage needs. Furthermore, applying the incorrect fluid to the wrong part can cause severe damage to the machine, adding complexity to off-road equipment maintenance – particularly when the fleet contains equipment of different ages and specifications.
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LUBE MAGAZINE NO.136 DECEMBER 2016
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