"You can improve performance and extend life of your equipment plus save money on running costs through our machinery fluid management program”…. WE GUARANTEE IT!
 OIL ANALYSIS
THE IMPORTANCE OF OIL ANALYSIS
In order to provide adequate lubrication, engine oil is required to perform many functions. Ideally the most important function is to keep the engine or drive train environment clean and free from contaminates.
It must provide adequate cooling and film strength to keep component parts such as bearing surfaces apart and form a "Buffer" that keeps metal to metal contact to a minimum, thereby reducing friction and wear.
These however are the very basic functions required from a lubricant. It is the particular demands of a given application that largely determines the numerous additional functions that oil must perform. It must act not only as a coolant and protector, but as a sealant and lubricant as well. The selection of the correct lubricating oil for your engines be they diesel or petrol should be based on engine performance requirements, the application, and very importantly the quality of fuel in use.
Diesel engines operate at lower speeds but at much higher temperatures than do petrol engines, making conditions exceptionally conducive to oil oxidation and corrosion of bearing metals. Under these conditions the oil is expected to function in an expanded capacity and thus makes severe demands on the additive packages contained within it. You would expect that most operators of automotive equipment would know the condition of their oil and their engines at any given stage of its life, but the statistics say that 87% DON'T.
To enable the operator to be aware of not only the condition of these additives, but the condition of the entire engine-drive train etc, oil analysis is not only essential, but mandatory because of its ability to fore-warn against impending damage.
Plant maintenance being so important in today's ever increasing cost environment has prompted the need for oil analysis. Several company's have taken the initiative in this field and offer oil analysis so precise that it over-shadows even a blood test on the human body. These devoted laboratories are the LINK that could mean the difference between growth and doom for many machinery operators in today's tough climate.
Preventative maintenance through oil analysis is the catch cry of all machinery owners and operators who understand the necessity to protect valuable machinery from the ravages of fuel dilution, Water invasion, Dirt ingress, fuel sulphur and wear metal contamination. Oil analysis is the ultimate in protecting your valuable plant, and if you are not using a controlled oil analysis program on your machinery, you are well behind the eight ball in terms of protection.
Taking an oil sample is a simple operation, and must be carried out with the help of a "Withdrawal Gun" the test bottle is screwed into the end of the test gun, and the oil is removed from the engine by a tube that is inserted down the dipstick hole. The oil is then drawn into the bottle by pumping the gun. When the correct amount is gathered, the bottle is removed from the gun and sealed tightly so it does not to leak. Because these samples are posted to the Laboratory, to have the sample bottle leak into the post bag would cause extreme embarrassment for the sender. After the sample is acquired, the operator fills in the question sheet and seals the bottle in the mailing tube supplied. The mailer is then sealed with a sticker supplied with the name and address of the laboratory on it, and is mailed. Generally, the sample container is post paid, and should be sent air mail.
The results are generally sent back within five days or sooner, depending on the location relevant to the laboratory the sample is sent to. Sampling should be carried out every oil change. Oil analysis is a real money saver, and the best insurance available for your valuable machinery. Look at it this way:-
You may not have many fires,
but I bet your home and buildings are insured.
The levels present are correlated to the hours since the last oil change as well as oil consumption. This is generally compared to the make and model of the machine from which the sample was taken, in this way an established wear pattern is determined. Degrees of wear are indicated by "Normal" "Above Normal" and "Severe" on the report sheet. A list is normally shown of the components that generally yield these metals, as a guide to where excessive wear may be occurring.
The charge for a single analysis is approx $40.00 +GST. This price would be reviewed annually and any variation would be preceded by at least one month's notice in writing. The laboratory will retain samples for one month after analysis and will then dispose of them to waste unless instructed in writing differently.
We will report the analytical results and our interpretation of the trend analyses to the customer by telephone once the customer is in receipt of his copy from the oil analysis company. Here in Western Australia we use Oilcheck to carry out our clients oil analysis. They are a totally independent company. The report will flag any results that should be brought to the customer's attention and will include suggested remedial actions. This reporting will allow adjustments to the machinery concerned to suit individual customer requirements.
Low density polyethylene (LOPE) is not suitable for sample bottles. Only use the sample bottles supplied.
All oil sampling programmes in Australia use sample bottles with a 38mm screw neck. This allows the use of the Viper and Patmar sample vacuum pump.
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