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Most people realise that biodegradable products have less of an environmental impact in the event of a spill or leak. But not everyone knows that many environmentally adapted hydraulic oils also offer better technical properties than the ones based on mineral oils. They have a longer life span. They are better at separating air and water. They can handle a wider temperature range. And they have better solubility, which means you avoid problems with varnish.

Want to find out more about environmentally adapted lubricants?

It’s largely about method and good order. Careful cleaning, correct storage and regular checks are all key parts of a successful process. Putting a bit of thought into things beforehand reduces the risk of contaminants and operational stoppages, while also extending the life of your lubricants, engines and machinery. Please feel free to use our checklist, which will help you optimise your lubricant maintenance. 

You can find the checklist here.

There is much to be gained by choosing the right type of lubricant. In fact, the gains could be huge if you change your mineral oil for a fully synthetic lubricating oil. Let’s look at an example: If you have 80 gears, with an average output of 35 kW and an operating time of 8,000 hours – you could save as much as ‎€ 12,280. Every year. This is due to less energy loss and less work input. At the same time, you reduce your CO₂ emissions by over 10,000 kg a year. So for once, it’s actually very easy to do the right thing.

You can find out more about energy efficiency and viscosity here.

In beer production, there is always a risk that tiny amounts of lubricant end up in the beer. That’s why it’s always important to use lubricants that are approved for contact with foods – but even food-approved lubricants can affect the head on a beer when you pour it. When we develop lubricants for beer production, we therefore conduct rigorous foam tests. We test the height of the head, and how long it takes for it to shrink to half the size. We then compare the results to a reference sample. The highest level, Good, is the only head we accept as the crowning glory. With roots in Germany, anything less would be a crime.

Want to find out more about foodgrade lubricants? Check this out.

Just because you have a big engine in your vehicle, doesn’t mean the viscosity has to be high. On the contrary, a 5W-3 or a 10W- oil can provide better lubrication than a 15W- oil. With a lower viscosity, the oil reaches the lubrication points quicker. This reduces wear and additionally the lower inner friction contributes to lower fuel consumption.

Read more in our blog about vehicle lubrication.

A mineral-based hydraulic oil that’s correctly maintained – and works at a maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius – can have a useful life of around 20 years. The useful life is halved for every ten degrees the temperature in the system increases.  So there is much to be gained by keeping the temperature down. This is most easily done by regulating the cooling with a thermostat, but also by ensuring that the air or water cooling system is clean and working properly. 

Read more in our blog about hydraulic fluids.

Low pressure in a system can cause what’s known as a diesel effect and ruin the oil. If the pressure is low, gas bubbles can form in the oil. In the diesel effect, these bubbles then ignite and cause a micro-combustion, forming nitrogen oxides. Over time this darkens the oil, it starts to smell acrid and perform worse. Low pressure can arise if the oil is of too high viscosity, if the hydraulic pump suction pipe is under-dimensioned, or if the pump is too high up in relation to the hydraulic reservoir.

Read more in our blog about hydraulic fluids.

There are products in all the colours of the rainbow to choose from, and using the wrong one can be costly. Not all types mix well with each other. Mixing can lead to increased corrosion, clogged cooling systems, leakage, or even engine breakdowns in the worst cases. Check the vehicle’s user’s manual or use our online tool to make sure you’re using the right product!

Read more in our blog 'Colour blind’ glycol management is easier and more reliable.