Testimonials
LE's Ultra RDE Oil significantly enhanced the performance and safety of B & N Fisheries' new marine engine.
key takeaways
Challenge
Jerry, a long-time LE customer, initiated a cooperative trial with LE, B & N Fisheries, and GE to use LE lubricant in the new GE engine of the F/V Arctic Explorer for 4,000 hours, aiming for GE’s approval.
LE solution
Scott Irwin recommended LE’s Ultra RDE Oil 8900 for its ability to protect diesel engines, improve fuel efficiency, and reduce oil consumption, which B & N Fisheries adopted in March 2015.
Results
Ultra RDE 8900 oil demonstrated excellent wear protection and deposit control over 4,000 hours, enabling B & N Fisheries to extend engine life, increase vessel reliability, and potentially boost income by allowing longer sea operations.
The General Electric 6L250 Marine Engine has just completed its 4,000-hour test period as the propulsion engine onboard the F/V Arctic Explorer. It has exceeded all of our expectations regarding cleanliness, performance and fuel savings during the trial period. We feel that the cleanliness and performance and fuel savings were greatly enhanced through the use of LE’s Ultra RDE Oil 8900. This is all backed up by the consistently good oil analysis results during the 4,550 hours of run time put on the engine. With the test results we’ve seen so far, LE engine oil will greatly increase the life of the engine as well as its reliability. This is vital to the operations and safety of the vessel and crew operating in the Bering Sea with a single main engine. In my more than 20 years as a port engineer and vessel manager, I can attribute over 80 percent of the unexpected costs to maintenance and repairs due to human intervention. If you can reduce the intervention through extending oil changes and maintenance intervals, then I’m already ahead! We are very satisfied with the performance of our GE 6L250, and we are very satisfied with the use of LE lubricants and consider them a vital asset to our success.
- Jerry Downing
Customer Profile
Jerry Downing, president of B & N Fisheries, has been operating and managing several fishing vessels out of Seattle, Wash., since 2000. The fishing vessels sail in the harsh environment of the Bering Sea in Alaska, harvesting codfish and pollock. The fish is then distributed and marketed worldwide.
Application
The main engine for B & N’s Arctic Explorer fishing vessel is a GE 6L250 marine engine.
Challenge
The F/V Arctic Explorer was in need of a new engine for its work in the Bering Sea. This single main engine is vital to the operations and safety of the crew and vessel while operating in the Bering Sea. Jerry has been an LE customer for several years and has had great results with another vessel, Cape Kiwanda, using LE lubricants. He wanted to get off to a great start with the new GE engine for the Arctic Explorer, so he contacted Scott Irwin, LE consultant, about filling the cleaned lube tank and new engine with an LE lubricant. LE, B & N Fisheries and GE entered into a cooperative trial period for the first 4,000 hours of operation. GE would then approve or deny the LE lubricant for use in their new engines.
LE Solution
Scott Irwin, LE consultant, suggested LE’s Ultra RDE Oil (8900), which was designed with a heavy-duty, long-drain service diesel engine in mind. Ultra RDE 8900 is formulated with highly refined select base stocks, designed to protect modern high-efficiency diesel engines from wear and contamination. In addition, Ultra RDE improves fuel efficiency and significantly reduces oil consumption. B & N Fisheries implemented Scott’s suggestion in March 2015.
Results
After 4,000 hours of operation and more than a year later, engine oil analysis revealed that Ultra RDE 8900 provided excellent wear protection and deposit control, all while maintaining a high total base number. The oil analysis results showed that LE’s Ultra RDE Oil can operate to at least a 2,000-hour drain interval. This has improved the current and future reliability of the vessel’s engine, allowing B & N Fisheries to keep the Arctic Explorer at sea for longer periods, increasing their potential income. The added reliability has also improved safety for crew members when at sea, assuring they have a working engine to get them to safety, if needed. Along with the oil analysis, a physical internal inspection of the engine was conducted after the 4,000 hours of testing. Upon removing one crankcase cover, there was no visible wear on the inside of the cylinders and machining marks were still prominent. The rocker assembly also showed no visible deposits. This inspection provided extra proof that LE’s Ultra RDE Oil will extend the life of the GE engine. As a result of the successful trial, GE added LE’s 8900 to its List of Fully Approved Diesel Engine Oils.