Oils & Lubricants
When You Can’t Beat the Heat, Manage It
“It really wouldn’t be that hot if it wasn’t for the humidity.” Anyone who has ever visited the Midwest between May and September has more than likely heard this saying. I’ve always found myself of the mindset that hot is hot, humidity aside. Our gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles and equipment […]
Eight Tips for Improving Your Equipment’s Fuel Efficiency
People generally don’t like to leave money on the table. But that’s precisely what happens when equipment is operated inefficiently. If you want to improve the fuel efficiency of your operation and save on your fuel bill, follow these eight tips. Keep Idling to a Minimum – Any time your […]
Choosing the Right Grease
Surveys show half of equipment operators are unaware of how choosing the right grease can positively impact the performance of their machinery. Proper greasing is a crucial maintenance practice and one of the keys to extending the longevity of your equipment. While there are many factors like a grease’s grade, […]
Oil Sampling Do’s and Don’ts
Regularly sampling your used motor oil for analysis is a great way to extend the life of your equipment. Oil analysis is like getting “bloodwork” for your machines. It provides valuable information about what’s going on inside the equipment that can be used to identify proper drain intervals and potential issues before […]
Are You Following a Lubrication Program?
Whether you own a single tractor for farming, 20 pieces of construction equipment, or a fleet of 100 trucks, you likely depend on our equipment to get the job done. And how well your equipment performs is dependent on you. Machinery needs lubrication to function safely, properly, and when you […]
Why Equipment Fails and How to Prevent It
No matter what industry you’re in, whether it be agriculture, construction, industrial, mining, forestry or transportation, you’ve undoubtedly had to deal with equipment failure. When equipment fails, it not only prevents you from completing your tasks but also comes with serious costs. When we think about the costs of equipment […]
Tips to Winterize Your Equipment
If you leave your equipment in storage without proper winterization, you are asking for trouble. Just as extreme heat and humidity can damage equipment parts in the summer, sharp drops in temperature can take a toll on machinery. To protect your investment and ensure you’re ready to roll in warmer […]
Are You Using the Right Engine Oil?
Have you ever walked into an auto parts store and felt overwhelmed by the incredible number of engine oil product choices? There are more than 50 different brands of engine oil and they can come in a variety of colored bottles. Each brand has its own claims as to why […]
How to Protect Your Equipment from Extreme Temperatures
Extreme temperatures can cause a multitude of issues with your equipment. These issues can lead to inconvenient downtime, costly repairs, and in some instances, jeopardize your health and wellbeing. Traditionally, when we are talking about extreme temperatures in association with equipment, we tend to think about the winter months. But […]
Missouri Bans “JD 303” Tractor Hydraulic Fluid
The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) has barred the sale of tractor hydraulic fluid (THF) labeled as “John Deere 303” effectively immediately. The ban was announced by MDA’s Weights, Measures & Consumer Protection Division which called John Deere 303 fluids misbranded “because they fail to meet any current tractor manufacturer’s […]
Keeping Up with Motor Oil Technology
The American Petroleum Institute (API) recently released a new heavy-duty engine oil specification to replace API CJ-4. The new API CK-4 service category for diesel engine oil has been in development for about a decade and will deliver improved fuel economy performance and reduce emissions. Known as PC-11A during its […]
Oil Analysis Helps Prevent Equipment Downtime
Farmers, truckers and other users of heavy equipment can maximize the performance and reliability of their equipment through regular analysis of engine, hydraulic and transmission oils. Establishing an oil analysis regimen can help determine contamination levels, wear rates and the overall condition of equipment. Routine testing can identify minor problems […]