Lubricants News and Updates

Why and where to use a Hydraulic Fluid with a good Dielectric Strength?

We know it’s only summer, but fall will be here before you know it! Now’s the perfect time to get ahead of the season by preparing for colder weather. Don’t wait until the first frost—start stocking up on glycols and antifreeze now to ensure you're ready when temperatures drop.

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.

In the demanding world of marine operations, the reliability and performance of equipment are directly tied to the quality of the lubricants used. Marine engine oils and hydraulic fluids must meet strict environmental and operational standards to ensure the longevity of machinery and compliance with regulatory guidelines. This tip of the month outlines the evolving requirements for heavy-duty marine engine oils and hydraulic fluids, and highlights quality solutions available through Dennis K. Burke that meet these rigorous demands.

In today's high-performance automotive landscape, engine oils are under increasing pressure to meet the demands of modern engines. As engines operate at higher temperatures with less oil, lubricants must evolve to maintain peak performance. With challenges like low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and the need for advanced detergent additives, engine oils must withstand several factors that degrade their quality over time. These include contamination from water and fuel, oxidation, shearing forces, combustion byproducts, and corrosion. To address these issues, highly refined base oils combined with cutting-edge additives such as anti-wear agents, antioxidants, and friction modifiers are essential in extending both engine life and oil durability.

Environmentally Friendly Hydraulic Fluids are a great choice for Landscapers, DPWs, Golf Courses, Tree Services, Paving Companies and Municipalities – Schools, where green, lawns and the environment are a concern or consideration. Environmentally Friendly Hydraulic Fluids can be manufactured with either Mineral based oils or Vegetable based oils. They can be either Inherently Biodegradable or Readily Biodegradable. They consist of the latest technologies in additives which eliminate the additives that are considered toxic, like Zinc and other heavy metal-based additives.

One of the most important aspects of proper lubricants and lubrication, but widely overlooked, is storage, handling and transport of the lubricants.

Industrial gear lubricants are essential to maintaining the efficiency and longevity of gearboxes across a wide range of industries. From reducing friction and heat to protecting against wear and corrosion, choosing the right gear lube ensures optimal equipment performance. In this blog, we’ll explore the three main categories of gear lubricants, their applications, benefits, and key factors to consider when selecting a lubricant, including special considerations for cold weather conditions.

The 3 Categories of Industrial Gear Lubricants

Situational awareness and common sense are crucial for proper lubrication, especially in harsh environments. This applies to automotive, commercial, and industrial applications alike. Understand your equipment, its needs, and the surrounding environment for optimal performance and longevity.

Quality hydraulic fluids have advanced formulations, high VI and the most advance additive packages to provide operating and maintenance benefits for increased productivity and less downtime. Two rules of thumb for hydraulic fluid are to keep it - “Clean and Dry”, because research and testing has proven that over 80% of hydraulic pumps wear and system failures are due to particulates and/or water contamination. Production downtime and labor costs for repairs often outweigh the cost of replacement of hydraulic components or systems.