Maximize equipment performance with oil analysis

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Maximize equipment performance with oil analysis

If heavy-duty machinery and equipment are instrumental to your business operations, you need to ensure they are running at peak performance levels. No matter the type of industry – agriculture, transportation, construction, oil field, mining or forestry – performance shortfalls can really impact your bottom line.

Your local Co-op is now offering oil analysis testing. Oil analysis is a proactive way to reduce maintenance costs and increase productivity and reliability of your equipment.

What is oil analysis?

After a period of use, lubricant properties can change, resulting in a potential drop in performance levels. The stress from extreme working conditions, high pressures/temperatures and the accumulation of contaminants can cause the oil to reach a point where it can no longer function properly.

Oil analysis completes the following tests:

  • Spectrometry: Analyses 23 metal elements, indicating the severity of wear to equipment components.
  • Viscosity: Measures whether the oil has thickened or thinned while in service.
  • Water: Detects the presence of free and emulsified water in the oil. Water reduces the lubricating properties and can cause corrosion to occur.
  • Soot: Total amount of carbon soot and other combustion-related contamination as percentage of the oil volume. Soot increases wear rates and reduces the life of equipment.
  • Glycol (i.e. coolant): Detects presence of ethylene glycol in crankcase oil and reports it as a percentage. Glycol contamination results in a reduction of lubricating properties, which can cause component failure.
  • Fuel: Detects the presence of fuel in oil and reports it as a percentage. Fuel reduces viscosity, while increasing wear rates and deposit formation.

What benefits can you receive from testing?

Regularly testing your oil provides a baseline of normal wear and can help to provide insight when there is abnormal wear or contamination. Knowing the condition of your oil and the equipment’s performance helps to extend both lifespans.

The benefit to you is less equipment downtime, increased productivity and potential savings from costly repairs. These factors help in protecting your warranty while strengthening equipment resale value.

What can an oil analysis detect?

An oil analysis evaluates and identifies metal contaminants, the viscosity of the oil, if there is a presence of free and emulsified water, any fuel dilution, presence of ethylene glycol (coolant) and the total amount of carbon soot and other combustion-related contamination. It also detects the additive levels of the oil and compares them to a clean, unused reference sample. This comparison allows you to see the true condition of your oil.

Who is Fluid Life Equipment Reliability Services?

Fluid Life is a third-party oil analysis provider with over 30 years of experience. For more information on Fluid Life or the tests they conduct, please visit fluidlife.com.

How long does it take to receive results?

Fluid Life will have your sample results returned one to two business days after they are received. The quick turnaround helps to avoid extensive damage should the test results show abnormalities.

How do I test my oil?

Visit your local Co-op and request a Fluid Life kit. The lubricant samples you provide will be sent for testing, and a report compiling the status of your lubricants will be returned to Co-op for you.

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