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Owners of powerful construction machinery often do not sleep at night due to the high operating costs of such vehicles, resulting from expensive service and high fuel consumption. Is there any way to reduce such expenses? It turns out that there is! The prescription may be the choice of modern lubricants.
From the article you will learn:
When it comes to construction machinery, the old truth that what’s cheap ends up costing the most money seems to be valid. What oil we use directly affects both the amount of fuel used and the rate at which components will wear out. Choosing modern products, although it often requires you to dig a little deeper into your pocket, in the long run it will be a source of considerable savings. What exactly do advanced lubricants offer and how do their specifics translate into the operation of construction machinery? We explain in the following part of the article.
To begin with, let’s look at the conditions that lubricants for engines used in construction machinery must meet. Manufacturers, with a view to demanding emission standards, are increasingly equipping their engines with exhaust after-treatment systems. A critical component of such a system is the particulate filter. This device, while quite expensive, is not free of defects. The problem is that the filter often becomes clogged, which occurs when the composition of the exhaust gas is not appropriate. It is particularly badly affected by the presence in the exhaust gas of sulfated ash, which is formed as a result of burning oil in the engine chambers.
The soot reacts with the oil that was previously deposited on the cylinder liner walls
Engines that are installed in modern construction machinery often have systems responsible for exhaust gas recirculation. This means that the exhaust gases, which contain soot, are recirculated back to the combustion chambers. This causes a kind of complication. The aforementioned soot reacts with oil that has previously been deposited on the cylinder liner walls. The result is the formation of sludge and a consequent increase in the viscosity of the oil. This can lead to a drop in its pressure and even the seizure of the pan.
The problems mentioned above can be remedied to some extent. Choosing a modern lubricant is a solution, a lubricant with a formulation that is dedicated to just such engines. Such premium oils can be found in the range of FUCHS brand.
Fuel consumption is heavily influenced by the resistance present in the drivetrain (e.g. in the differentials). Choosing the right lubricant is a must if you really think about reducing fuel expenses. A good oil will also help extend the life of such mechanisms. In this regard, too, the FUCHS brand has a lot to offer.
Also in the case of hydraulic systems it is worth betting on high-performance fluids. Experience shows that even if the manufacturer allows the use of HLP grade oil, it is good to reach for HVLP grade lubricants which will be much more beneficial to the mechanisms and in the long run will also contribute to increased savings. FUCHS specialists most often recommend:
Due to the occurrence of shock loads in machines it is usually recommended that greases for lubrication points contain molybdenum disulfide. Such a preparation is RENOLIT FLM 2 which additionally includes graphite in its composition. The lubricant offered by FUCHS will be excellent where friction nodes have been heavily loaded. It reduces operating resistance and protects components from rapid wear.
The evolution that engines have been undergoing recently is also reflected in the requirements for cooling systems. Sometimes it is not possible to use a fluid with so-called hybrid technology here and there is a need to reach for a fluid with a lower silicate content. Such a problem is faced, for example, by users of some Caterpillar construction machines where it is necessary to use fluids that meet the Caterpillar EC-1 standard. Such products are also available at FUCHS. An example here is MAINTAIN FRICOFIN HDD.
Above we have presented only a section of a strongly developed and important category of lubricants dedicated to construction machinery. Large vehicles designed to work in extremely harsh conditions undoubtedly require well matched lubrication. It is worthwhile to choose lubricants that fit best to the task, even if they were a little more expensive. After all, with the help of modern fluids with well-chosen ingredients it is possible to extend the life of equipment and reduce operating costs.
The application provided on the FUCHS website will be helpful in selecting the right preparation.
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