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Germany and France on their buying criteria for universal oils. The overriding requirements of end users – whether owners and operators or maintenance and fleet managers – were: 1. Maximum engine durability 2. Smooth hydraulics 3. Meeting newer and older engine specifications 4. Minimising risk and storage of fluids.
Universal oils offer a simple yet effective solution, without having to sacrifice high performance levels. The right universal oils deliver high performance characteristics with longer drain intervals to help keep productivity up and the total cost of ownership down. Coupled with multiple OEM specification approvals, universal oils can successfully be used across mixed OEM fleets, cutting down the storage space needed for lubricants and lessening the risk of operators using fluids incorrectly.
Machinery differs from agriculture to construction to mining, so equipment lubrication needs to be tailored. In off-road there are two main universal oils: one for agriculture and construction applications, the other catering to mining equipment.
Agriculture and construction oils Tractors and excavators make up the majority of this market and in France the universal oil adopters tend to use Super Tractor Universal Oil (STOU). These oils can be used in the engine as well as the transmission, wet brakes, gear, axles & hydraulics, meaning only one oil is required for maintaining the entire fleet.
German users instead prefer to use a dedicated engine oil, plus a Universal oil for all the other machine parts. In both countries, the number of different oils required for fleet lubrication is significantly reduced to just one or two.
The simplicity of universal oils reduces the risk of misapplication, of paramount importance with the rise of imported machinery and potential language barriers for foreign workers. Reducing storage is an additional benefit for machine operators and owners, as illustrated by the end-user comment below:
“Storage space. And I don’t always have to check what oil goes where and is used for what; I simply know what to use if I only have two kinds, or just one specialised oil that is used for the three different areas. That’s what’s nice about it.” Martin, Farmer, Germany
What should I look for in a universal oil for agriculture/ construction?
Universal oils should meet at least ACEA E3 and API CG-4 specifications when used using in older equipment engines and drivelines. These fluids cater to longer drain intervals under severe operating conditions and offer superior stability and cleanliness, reducing wear on engines and equipment for an all-important longer lifespan. To ensure hydraulics run smoothly, universal oils that meet the hydraulic requirements of Sperry Vickers and Sauer/Sunstrand tests are suggested.
The right formulation will be suitable across a multi-brand fleet; where the most popular OEM specifications include John Deere, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, Volvo, Fendt, Case and Ford. Universal oils with the latest and most demanding specifications are best placed to support the fleet as it expands and alters its composition.
Mining lubricants
Mining haul trucks make up a large portion of the market. These place particularly heavy demands on lubricants, with intense work cycles and extremely tough operating environments where productivity is crucial and downtime is costly. Using the correct lubrication across the mining fleet saves significant cost by protecting components effectively and maximising productivity. Universal oils catering to the mining application are referred to as TO-4 oils, based around meeting the caterpillar TO-4 specification.
What do you need from a universal oil for mining? TO-4 oils are suitable for mining machinery that meet the demanding Caterpillar TO-4 specification, but it’s not the only approval you should look out for. Fluids that meet the latest Alison TES-439 specification require a higher performance standard to protect heavily loaded components, which is essential to the ongoing maintenance of mining equipment. TO-4 oils meeting KES 07.868.1 for Komatsu and other OEM specifications such as ZF and hydraulic approvals will offer the widest possible fleet coverage. Not only do TO-4 oils offer superior wear protection and load carrying, they also include outstanding yellow metal protection to help maintain optimum performance and longer component life. This helps mining operations minimise downtime and maintenance costs for machinery fleets of all ages.
Universal benefits
It is clear to see how universal oils can contribute to minimising risk, saving money and maximising fleet productivity by providing optimised protection and reduced maintenance for off-road equipment of varied types, ages and OEM recommendations. Operators looking for a lubrication solution for an expanding multi-brand equipment fleet stand to reap considerable benefits in taking a more universal approach, making maintenance simpler and easier.
Regardless of whether you tend to see sumps as half full or half empty, you’ll have far fewer sumps to deal with and greater peace of mind when you use universal oils in your off-road equipment.
To find out more about universal lubrication solutions for your off-road fleet, please visit:
http://www.aftonchemical.com/ SBU/DrivelineAdditives/Off-Road.
LINK
www.aftonchemical.com
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LUBE MAGAZINE NO.136 DECEMBER 2016
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