To remain competitive and at the forefront of their field, it is vital that every agricultural enterprise aims for optimum productivity. Farming requires hard work over long hours, putting pressure on the equipment used, such as fruit pickers, tractors, harvesters and off-road stationary solutions. Exposed to an outdoor environment and the elements, these vehicles and equipment are designed for endurance and intense work, but keeping them running at top performance requires lubrication.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at general lubrication for agricultural equipment, along with the specialist solutions developed specifically for this sector. We’ll also explore the lengthy list of business benefits that firms can enjoy by employing the correct agricultural lubricant for their equipment. Read on to find out more.
The main jobs of agricultural machinery lubricants
By selecting and applying the correct lubricant, farming operations can ensure the moving parts of their equipment and vehicles move freely without incurring damage from excessive wear and tear and friction. Lubricants also act as coolants, reducing temperatures and heat damage. Oils and greases designed for the agricultural industry also seal parts from a wide range of contaminants and corrosive processes and can filter out grit, soot and other contaminants that can hamper smooth operation.
When equipment is adequately lubricated, it can work at top performance, improving work rates and yields, consequently leading to greater profits for firms. When parts are properly lubricated, they are less likely to become damaged and need repairs or replacement parts. As a result, companies using effective lubrication will find they enjoy lower maintenance costs, but also avoid unnecessary downtime when machinery is out of action and needs an overhaul.
Farming equipment represents a substantial investment for any business. As well as keeping breakdowns and repairs at minimum, keeping to a strict lubrication schedule and using the product recommended for equipment, companies can extend the active service life of their farming machinery. This can add up to substantial savings over time.
Biodegradable lubricants
Lubricants used in mechanical systems that may have direct contact with the environment are often required by law to be biodegradable. Whether equipment is stationary or mobile, in an agricultural operation, it is a given that fluids used to keep machinery operating at optimum will leak into the soil and enter underground water systems. This pollution can be harmful to the land itself and any livestock using it for grazing, making it detrimental to operational success.
To ensure that farming firms stay on the right side of the law with legislators and avoid damage to the environment and their business, built-for-purpose lubricants have been created that are readily biodegradable. While some lubricants are naturally sourced, making them inherently biodegradable, readily biodegradable oils and greases are specifically designed to break down faster to mitigate potential harm.
Rust preventatives
When iron alloys like steel are exposed to moisture and air for extended periods, iron oxide, also known as rust, can form. This corrosive process can make metal become brittle and lose its structural integrity, leading to health and safety hazards, equipment damage, downtime, costly repairs and the early retirement of machinery.
To avoid these unwanted issues, rust preventative oils should always be used on equipment working in an agricultural environment. Regardless of the weather, equipment and vehicles will remain protected from the elements. Farming is a seasonal business, so it is understood that not all equipment will be in active service all year round. By applying an effective rust preventative before storage, operations can ensure that machinery is in peak condition whenever it is required.
Super Tractor Oil Universal
Over time, major farming operations must retire older equipment and buy replacement plant and mobile machinery. As this process happens over an extended period, it is not uncommon for agricultural enterprises to have fleets of tractors and harvesters that are made up of multiple makes and models from different eras with different types of engines. Equipment typically works at its best when it is using a lubricant that is specifically designed for its moving parts; however, it is understood that buying a specific product for every vehicle in your fleet is not financially viable.
Delivering both convenience and cost-effectiveness, Super Tractor Oil Universal (STOU) was developed. Available from a wide range of leading brands, these multigrade lubricants are suited to an extensive selection of farming vehicles and stationary equipment. Using a STOU can streamline ordering, delivery and lubrication processes simplifying workflow and saving operations time and money.
While a STOU might not be suitable for every farming vehicle, leading lubrication suppliers offer solutions that are designed for both vintage agricultural vehicles and those using the very latest technology.
Agricultural machinery lubricants for every application
From biodegradable lubricants that break down faster to STOUs designed to save companies money and time, agricultural lubricants are available for farming machinery to suit a multitude of applications.
