Uptime is critically important to my customers. If you’re not familiar with the term, uptime is the time when a piece of equipment or person is actually working and producing revenue. Uptime directly influences productivity and cost and my customers are diligent in their efforts to ensure it remains as close to 100% as possible.
Right now I’m working with several customers in the construction industry who have experienced increased downtime, when a piece of equipment is not working or producing revenue, and brought me in to help determine why. In a nutshell, it boiled down to two primary areas: fuel and friction.
Fuel
Most heavy construction equipment is powered by diesel fuel. The quality of your diesel fuel directly influences the reliability of your fuel injectors and your fuel economy. Dirty fuel increases the risk of fuel injector failure and mechanical breakdowns which means unanticipated and costly downtime.
Faulty or failing fuel injectors can also cause your engine to increase emissions of Particular Matter (PM), which are mostly unburned hydrocarbons like soot.
Increased emissions can put you out of compliance with EPA emissions regulations which adds expensive fines to the cost of downtime. Depending on the size and severity of the infraction, fines can range from $28,000 per day to $250,000 and prison time.
The preventative solution is to keep your diesel clean. I start this process by taking a fuel sample for a complimentary analysis to see what contaminants you have and in what quantities. If you’ve never tested your fuel or do so infrequently you may be dismayed by the high degree of contamination and water. The good news is that you can remove the contaminants and water resulting in clean diesel. Running clean diesel, along with a fuel improver, through your engine will clean your fuel injectors, clean and lubricate your fuel system and help reverse existing issues.
Since fuel accounts for up to 40 percent of the average fleet’s budget, the simple act of cleaning and treating your fuel can result in significant improvements in
your fuel efficiency and decrease your operating budget. Maintaining that cleanliness and treatment will extend these benefits and increase reliability.
Finally, if you work in a cold weather environment look at fuel improvers specifically formulated against gelling. These help ensure a reliable cold start.
Friction
Friction is necessary for the mechanical operation of your heavy-duty fleet. Deliberate management of it by taking into account the load, operating environment, temperature and speed (L.E.T.S.) ensures reliability, efficiency and energy savings. Under-or over-application or the incorrect type of lubricant increases wear and the propensity for malfunctions and breakdowns.
Bucket pins, pivot pins, king pins and articulated steering systems are stressed by repeated pounding, heavy lifting, temperature extremes, dirt and gravel and airborne dust. Look for lubricants that are resistant to water wash-out and severe shock pound-out.
Gears require a lubricant that shields gear surfaces against metal-to-metal contact and is tacky enough to adhere and coat without squeezing out. Expect these same lubricants to have additives to protect your gears from corrosion.
Heavy machinery transmissions deliver speed and directional changes in a high temperature operational environment. Look for power transmission fluids that improve shifting and reduce operating temperatures. Using a high-quality product should also clean your transmission while preventing additional deposits and wear. This is another fluid that should provide superior corrosion protection.
If you operate any type of fleet my Fuel & Friction approach will help you improve uptime, increase fuel efficiency and add to your bottom line. Apply the above guidelines and feel free to contact me with any questions or for a no obligation fuel analysis.
Jeff Porter is Hydrotex’s Division Partner for central Oklahoma. Hydrotex is a national manufacturer of high performance lubrication and fuel improver solutions. Porter has lived in Guthrie since 2000. He can be reached at JPorter@hydrotexlube.com or 405-697-7400.
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