Lubricants News and Updates

Fluid Management – Hydraulic Oils

A common question amongst maintenance personnel is around the life expectancy of our Hydraulic Oils in their machines. For the most part, many maintenance personnel reply that they expect a very short time because of the aggressive environment surrounding the manufacturing equipment.

And this is true if we recognize that the oil will suffer just two adverse effects in the equipment: Contamination & Degradation.

Premium hydraulic oils are capable of maintaining their initial characteristics and protect the equipment for a very long time…..even several years in a properly designed hydraulic system and with a proactive maintenance program.

Rule of thumb: The cleaner and dryer that you can keep your Hydraulic Fluid, the longer it can stay in service and this will also help keep equipment in service.

6 areas to help extend the life of Hydraulic fluid while protecting equipment:

1. Choose the Right Product: Premium Hydraulic Fluids such as:

• Fleetline AW Hydraulic Fluid
• Kendall Four Seasons, Hyken or Megaflow AW HVI Hydraulic Fluids
• Phillips 66 Syndustrial or Powerflow NZ
• Petro-Canada Hydrex, Environ or Purity Food Grade Hydraulic Fluids.

A few Premium Hydraulic fluids characteristics:

• Advanced Technologies in Base Oils and Additives:

1. 1. Keep the oil and system clean
   2. Have outstanding contamination control
   3. Have exceptional protection against wear
   4. Control demulsibility

2. Prevent Contamination:

• Keep strict housekeeping control.
• Change from metal screen breathers to a desiccant breather.
• Use proper filtration and filters with an Absolute Ratio β according to your needs.
• Segregate type of lubricants to prevent compatibility concerns.
• Consolidate Inventory of Lubricants.
• Fix leaks and the air intrusion in the equipment.
• Do not use after-market additives or mix products.
• Identify and ‘Lube Tag’ the equipment and the oil being used.

3. Avoid Waste

• Repair leaks
• Use the golden rule: The right product in the right place with the right amount.

4. Protect against deterioration:

• Maintain proper storage and handling of hydraulic fluids.
• In outside storage, stack drums horizontally or upside down to prevent water contamination
• Monitor equipment operation to avoid: high temperatures, excessive air exposure, static or electric discharges.

5. Extend Useful Life

• Purchase Premium products to meet your equipment’s needs.
• Determine the optimum practical drain interval.
• Establish a system of simple checks in the field to assure the integrity of the oil and its operations – Send in routine used oil samples to a laboratory. Monitor ISO Cleanliness,
• Try to maintain and ISO Code of less than 18/16/12.

6. Personnel Training on Lubricants

• Training generates experience and this is the base of an optimum use and preservation of the lubricants and the benefits that can be achieved.
• Do not let unauthorized/inexperienced personnel handle lubricants.
• Hydraulic lube oils are the heart and soul of your equipment - maintaining a staff that can take proper oil samples and interpret the laboratory testing results will pay huge dividends back to any operation.

Here at Dennis K. Burke Inc. we strive to only sell the best products to our customers. There has been a lot of confusion in the marketplace with RV Antifreeze and manufacturers have intentionally blurred the lines by labeling very different products all as “-50 RV Antifreeze”. This issue became much more prevalent around the beginning of the pandemic as propylene glycol became scarce and prices soared.

RV Antifreezes can typically be grouped into 1 of 3 categories:

The first category is alcohol based products (commonly referred to as ethanol based) which contain a variety of alcohols such as ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, methanol, glycerin, and methyl isobutyl ketone. While these products are common to see on store shelves everywhere, rarely will you see the ingredients prominently listed on the label. Not only are these products flammable due to the alcohol content, but they will also dry out the seals, hoses and gaskets. They can also corrode and leach chemicals from many types of piping. 

The second category is alcohol blended with propylene glycol. The ratio of alcohol to propylene glycol will vary product to product and can also vary batch to batch for the same product. Because there is no set standard for these products, they often cause the same issues as alcohol based products.

The third category is propylene glycol based products which are 25-30% propylene glycol and water to make -50 RV Antifreeze. Propylene glycol does not have the fire risk of alcohol containing products, nor will it damage the hoses, seals, gaskets and piping. In fact, propylene glycol acts as a lubricant that can extend the life of your seals. For these reasons, this is the only type of RV Antifreeze that Dennis K. Burke Inc. sells so you know your equipment will run Better with Burke. 

Alongside PEAK RV & Marine Antifreeze, stock up on other winter accessories with DKB! As the temperature drops, vehicles and machines require a little extra attention to ensure they run smoothly and reliably throughout the season. 

• Dyed Ultra Low Sulfur Kerosene: A winter-ready, high-performance energy solution. Available in 5 gallon pails and 55 gallon drums.
• Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF): DEF is an essential component for diesel-powered vehicles equipped with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems. During winter, it is crucial to have an ample supply of DEF, as its freezing point is around 12°F (-11°C). Available in 2.5 gallon cases, 5 gallon cases, and 55 gallon drums.
• Kendall Hyken Glacial Blu Hyd: Maintaining proper hydraulic system performance is vital, especially during winter. This fluid's low-temperature properties ensure smooth hydraulic operation, preventing any potential damage caused by freezing or thickening. It is a great solution for snow plow hydraulic systems. Available in 5 gallon pails and 55 gallon drums.
• Fleetline Washer Fluid Premix -25: Driving in winter means dealing with snow, ice, and dirty roads. Fleetline Washer Fluid is an excellent choice with its antifreeze properties, it prevents the fluid from freezing on the windshield while effectively removing dirt and grime. Available in 4 gallon cases and 55 gallon drums.
• PFC Undercoating Kit: Winter conditions often mean exposure to salt, slush, and other corrosive elements on the roads. The PFC Undercoating Kit provides a durable protective barrier, shielding your vehicle from the harsh winter elements and extending its lifespan. Available in 1 gallon cases.
• Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement: A must-have during winter. This product prevents fuel gelling and lowers the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) to ensure reliable engine performance in colder temperatures. Available in 32 oz. cases and 55 gallon drums.
• Kost DefendAl Global Auto ELC RTU 50/50: Keeping your vehicle's coolant system in good condition is crucial, especially in winter. Kost DefendAl Global Auto ELC RTU 50/50 is a ready-to-use coolant that provides excellent freeze protection and corrosion prevention. Available in 3 gallon cases and 55 gallon drums.
• Power Service Diesel 911: This emergency anti-gel treatment quickly dissolves wax and ice crystals that form in the fuel line, preventing blockages and restoring fuel flow in no time. Available in 32 oz. cases.

Preparing for winter is a task that should not be overlooked. By stocking up on essential winter shop supplies with Dennis K. Burke Inc., you can ensure that your business runs smoothly and avoids potential winter-related issues. So, don't wait until the first snowfall! Get your winter supplies ready and enjoy a safe and trouble-free winter experience. Stay warm and stay safe! Contact us today: ContactUs@burkeoil.com.

Since December of 2020, we have seen an unprecedented SIX price increases roll out on base oil, additive & finished lubricant products. Now we are additionally seeing essentially all major suppliers move to allocations on products because of increasing difficulty on supply/sourcing.

So what is going on? 

Like most things in 2021, a lot of the issue started with the Pandemic & its after effects. When shutdowns went into effect in March 2020, demand for finished products crashed and that led to cuts in production volumes by producers, and the simultaneous drop in fuel demand led to a drop in refining, which caused a drop in the ability to source products for lube production that derive from fuel refining... and so on, like dominos. 

Once things came back online, the freak ice storms in Texas that derailed refineries once again slowed the access to lube production products. 

As soon as that was sorted,  demand  in the US roared back much faster than anticipated on both fuel & lubricant products as the world began to open back up.  This essentially created a situation where production was not able to come back online fast enough to meet suddenly skyrocketing demand. 

This has led to unofficial allocation levels for nearly all distributors across the country, as companies from major suppliers to independent blenders struggle to access the supply required to service their customers properly. 

To add another layer of frustration, the labor shortage in the transportation industry (read about that here: All Eyes on the Growing Driver Shortage )  means that even in the event that product CAN be sourced adequately, it is increasingly difficult to secure delivery, even at higher than standard freight rates. 

Long story short, the Pandemic, Economic Rebound, and Labor Shortages have essentially created a "perfect storm" where the fundamentals of supply and demand are pushing lubricant, additive, and base oils skyward. Optimists in the field hope supply issues will be remedied by the end of the summer, but with talk on the horizon of yet another increase in September, it seems doubtful that will be the case. 

We will keep you apprised of any major changes in the supply and pricing picture going forward. Hang in there, everybody.  

AFS AWDA Cold Flow Additive is now in stock for the winter months. This additive helps reduce diesel fuel pour point and CFPP  8-12 degrees below the fuel's non additized temperature rating.

We're stocking both  1:3000g and 1:1500g treatment ratios. 

AWDA 3000 - one gallon treats 3000gal (available in drums and pails). Product Info Sheet here: AWDA-3000

AWDA 1500 - one gallon treats 1500gal (available in drums) Product Info Sheet here: AWDA-1500

If you have questions on the product, or whether bulk fuel additives make sense for your operation versus rack treated product, contact your rep or call the office 800-289-2875