Wear rates of components were 10 times lower

Efficiency advantages from biodegradable lubricants
August 23rd 2006

Industry is facing a steadily increasing demand for improved profitability and efficiency. In the field of hydraulics, this has led to the design of systems which run at a higher pressure, with smaller pumps and oil reservoirs on both mobile and stationary equipment.

Under these severe conditions, the proper selection of hydraulic fluid is critical to ensure efficient equipment operation and adequate wear protection.

Viscosity is one of the most important selection criteria as it determines the efficiency of hydraulic pumps and motors, helping to prevent overheating and wear at high temperatures.

Hydraulic oils with viscosity improvers are not new to the market; however FUCHS UK says its new PLANTOSYN HVI 46 shows unprecedented performance levels against conventional fluids.

Two years ago, the Eden Project converted a range of equipment to the FUCHS PLANTOSYN HVI 46 hydraulic fluid, which is based entirely on renewable resources. It therefore has an extremely high level of biodegradability when exposed to the ground, a critical concern for companies working in the field of quarrying, forestry or agriculture.

Over a two year period, the wear of components was analysed by measuring levels of metals in the hydraulic fluid and viscosity changes, as well as monitoring contamination from dust, dirt and water. The PLANTOSYN fluid used had not been changed since the tests began, despite working in the extremely dusty and dirty china clay environment, where the Eden Project is based.

Roger Powell, Director of Highway Plant, the main contractor to McAlpine and Eden Project said: “These results are amazing. China clay is known in the quarry and extractive industries as the most invasive, abrasive and destructive of all quarry dusts.”

The results highlight the fact that wear rates of components working on FUCHS biodegradable PLANTOSYN HVI 46 were 10 times lower than equipment working on conventional mineral hydraulic oil, offering tangible benefits to users in terms of efficiency and cost savings.

Cliff Lea, Biodegradable Product Manager at FUCHS UK, confirmed these figures and highlighted that this was not the first accolade for the PLANTOSYN product. “The product is approved by both Mannesmann and Sauer Sunstrand, following tests that FUCHS conducted in Germany.”

PLANTO oils are based on harvestable raw materials, such as rapeseed and sunflowers and they offer a solution for all applications, including hydraulic, gear, engine and compressor oils, greases, metalworking fluids and chainbar lubricants.

To see how PLANTO biodegradable lubricants can benefit your operation, or for a free copy of FUCHS Biodegradable Lubricants Guide, just  click here.

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