The good oil
18-04-2009
Whether mineral or synthetic, the
quality of oil used in any machine
will have a major bearing on its
performance and life expectancy.
Here Royal Melbourne Golf Club
turf technician Luke Spartalis gives
the lowdown on the lifeblood of any
machine and poses the question –
mineral or synthetic?
As machinery has evolved, so too have
the lubricants associated with their use.
Turf technicians are now faced with an
enormous selection of fully synthetic, semisynthetic,
biodegradable oils and greases and,
of course, the traditional mineral oil-based
range.
ENGINE OIL
Engine oil lubricates all metal surfaces inside
the engine while dissipating the resultant heat
of the combustion process. The selection of
the appropriate oil is important because the
life of an engine depends on the quality of oil
used, but not all oils are the same.
Diesel engine oil differs from petrol engine
oil in that it is developed to deal with the
increased heat of compression found in diesel
engines and contains more detergents to deal
with the additional combustion by-products.
They also contain anti-foaming agents which
are not needed in petrol engines.
Newer synthetic engine oils available,
particularly diesel specified, have been
developed with the aim of resisting thermal
breakdown, sludge formation and oxidation.
Increased drain intervals and fuel efficiency,
due to the reduced ‘drag’ created by higher
viscosity oils, are other benefits associated
with their use.
However, switching from a mineral oil to
synthetic based oil in a well-used engine is not
a straight forward procedure. Synthetic engine
oils contain an Ester-based oil which has
excellent natural detergency. This means that it
will clean heat and oxidative generated varnish
deposits from internal surfaces, the resulting
suspended deposits clogging both filters and
passageways.
Worn engines should be flushed before
employing the use of synthetic oils and
monitored closely. The same is true for
gearboxes and other systems.
HYDRAULIC OILS
The hydraulic system generates a lot of
discussion around the turf equipment
maintenance industry, in particular the use
of biodegradable oils. Advancements
are continuing to be made with the next
generation of synthetic hydraulic fluids known
as polyalkylene glycol oils (PAG).
Having been trialled for some time in the
United States, these fluids have the benefit of
being less harmful to turf in the event of a spill
(even when hot) with the added advantage
of increased service intervals which goes
some way in offsetting the initial higher cost
associated with their use.
However, while some attributes are
desirable, some others are not. Corrosion,
cavitation (due to viscosity issues) and filter
media incompatibility are just some of the
possible problems associated with their
use. While the use of these oils does not
necessarily void the manufacturer’s warranty,
thorough research is recommended before
use as component failure or performance
issues may not be covered.
Whatever the choice, cleanliness and
regular service intervals are paramount
to extending the life of hydraulic systems.
Contamination of the hydraulic system can be
prevented in several ways.
Firstly, contrary to popular belief, ‘new’
hydraulic oil itself can be contaminated. It
can become contaminated during storage
or may be shipped dirty from the supplier.
Poorly maintained breathers or vents, or the
use of high pressure water cleaners around
these areas, can also result in the fluid being
compromised, while dirt ingress via worn or
damaged shafts and wiper seals on actuators
is another possibility.
Of course the most common cause of
contamination is through sloppy and inadequate
maintenance procedures. Most hydraulic hose
suppliers use high speed cutting equipment to
manufacture hydraulic hoses. While it’s a very
effective method of cutting wire strand hose, it
also produces metal and rubber particles which
could damage precision components. Always
thoroughly clean finished hose assemblies
with compressed air and new O rings should
also be fitted if equipped.
The large capacity of hydraulic systems
means that oil replacement is generally a costly
exercise. The manufacturer’s guidelines are
the best gauge to determine service intervals,
however, unusual or extreme conditions may
require more frequent servicing.
As a tool to monitor oil condition, oil
sample analysis is an effective method in
determining not only oil replacement intervals,
but also gives a window into the general health
of a machine’s hydraulic system.
Moisture, dust and dirt and component
wear are measured and through the use of
trending graphs, accurate analysis is achieved
and unnecessary and costly maintenance
avoided.
Sampling is quick and easy with results
available either as hard copy (see photo top of
next page) or online.
CUTTING FLUIDS
While fully-equipped machine shops employ
the latest in cutting fluid technology, golf
course workshops can also benefit, albeit on
a much smaller scale. For those with cylinder
grinding equipment, cutting fluid is generally
used, particularly when grinding bedknives as
it dissipates heat and produces a high finish,
along with suppressing airborne grinding
particles.
Mineral oil-based coolants are available,
however, due to contamination issues may
become infected and produce, along with a
rancid odour, health issues associated with
their use. They may also contain sulfur or
chlorine which are considered health and
environmental hazards.
Synthetic cutting fluids are by no means
new to the manufacturing/metalworking
industries, however, over the past few years, in
response to new health and safety guidelines,
water soluble metalworking fluids have been
developed with the aim of preventing potentially
hazardous bacterial contamination.
One such company, Fuchs UK, has this
year released its range of Ecotool Ultralife
cutting fluids developed to resist bacterial
growth, increase coolant longevity, along
with the obvious skin and respiratory benefits
associated with its use. On the other side of the
Atlantic, Tubecorp Manufacturing of Canada
has developed ‘Greencut’ which exhibits
similar characteristics.
Oils and cutting fluids are not the only
products to have benefited from intelligent
guys in white lab coats; grease too has been
developed with enhanced lubricity properties.
Available in all National Lubricating Grease
Institute ratings, synthetic grease generally
combines both a polyalphaolefin (PAO)
synthetic base fluid and lithium base soap
thickener. Because of the wax-free nature of
the base fluid and low co-efficient of traction
compared with mineral oils, pumpability is
increased, especially in cold temperatures.
Heat degradation through thermal stress is
also reduced along with extended grease life
and excellent resistance to water wash out is
also achieved.
TURF TECHNICIAN STATE ASSOCIATION CONTACTS
NSWTETA
Membership Enquiries: Sam Olah
M: 0418 296 111 E: s-m-s@bigpond.com
VTETA
Contact: The VTETA committee comprises
of president Tony Hopcraft (ph 0411 106
429, email tony@vteta.info); vice-president
Luke Spartalis (ph 0418 444 883, email
luke@vteta.info); treasurer John Phelan (ph
0412 121 533, email john@vteta.info); and
secretary Greg Stringer (ph 0432 397 329,
email greg@vteta.info)
QTETA
Contact: Phil Newton
philnewton@people.net.au
LUKE SPARTALIS
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