In practice, the correct lubrication of agricultural equipment often falls short. Essential lubrication points are not lubricated or not lubricated properly. The result is more downtime, high repair costs and lower trade-in values of equipment. Lubrication therefore has a direct effect on the operating costs and business operations of the company. Read more about the benefits of good lubrication here.
The biggest problems are visible at open lubrication points that regularly come into contact with manure, sand and crop juices, such as pin-bus connections, bearings and couplings. These lubrication points are the most sensitive to wear and deserve the most attention.
Cheap is often expensive
There is a great temptation to opt for cheaper maintenance products, since these are the costs that are immediately visible. In these expensive times, those are the easiest savings. It is quite easy to use a grease cartridge of only a few euros on an agricultural machine with a value of several hundred thousand euros, without thinking carefully about the possible consequences. These are often lubricating greases based on old technologies, including lithium and graphite. In addition to the inadequate lubricating properties, these lubricants also often contain microplastics (including Teflon) and other chemical substances that do not pass the environmental test.
Invisible costs
To give an idea of the costs of lubricants in relation to the total operational costs, this is visible in the iceberg model. It is becoming clear that the costs for a lubricant only amount to 2 to 5% of the total, while the costs of repair, parts and unplanned downtime together can amount to 70% of the total costs. The latter costs are regularly under water and are therefore often invisible and difficult to measure.
In addition, the influence of lubricants on the costs that are ‘underwater’ is significant. In short, the right lubricant significantly reduces costs for preventive maintenance, overhaul costs and unplanned downtime. The lubricant not only pays for itself, but even has a positive effect on the entire business.
Modern equipment, modern lubricants
Lubricants have a hard time with agricultural equipment. Think of a combination of high pressure load at low speed, exposure to aggressive (acidic) substances from, for example, fertilizer components or crop juices. The result is extreme wear and corrosion.
What must a lubricant meet to prevent downtime and repairs? A lubricant should preferably ensure less wear and at the same time contribute to greater efficiency, fuel savings and lower emissions. In addition, a good lubricant must be less harmful to people and the environment.
Strengthening effect
The SYNGIS technology has been developed by Eurol’s development department to cope with these harsh conditions. The Eurol Specialty line of lubricants contains this technology consisting of modern additives that reinforce each other and ensure a synergistic effect. The result of this operation is that, even in the most extreme conditions, the lubrication of bearings and other components is maintained and components are protected.
This prevents unwanted repairs and unplanned downtime more often. It is also important that the residual value of the lubricated equipment is higher because it remains in better condition than comparable machines with the same operating hours.
Lower environmental impact
According to the manufacturer, the development of the Eurol Specialty lubricants is based on the best results with the lowest possible environmental impact. For example, many Specialty products are free of microplastics (PTFE) and contain fewer harmful substances for the user. In addition, better lubrication also saves fuel and reduces emissions. The SYNGIS Technology therefore meets modern requirements and is in line with future-proof business operations.
