Testimonials
Heidelberg Materials extended hydraulic oil life from 6 months to over 5 years using Equipower™ Hydraulic Oil.
key takeaways
Challenge
Heidelberg sought to extend oil drain intervals in their clinker cooler system to reduce lubricant consumption and maintenance time, while ensuring equipment protection and faster delivery than their current supplier provided.
LE solution
Kevin Chapin, LE lubrication consultant, recommended Equipower™ Hydraulic Oil (4934) for its anti-wear properties and assured clients they would triple their oil drain intervals, offering faster delivery and suitability for contaminated environments.
Results
LE’s Equipower Hydraulic Oil has extended the oil change interval by 900%, saving Heidelberg an estimated $65,000 in lubricant costs, reducing maintenance hours, and minimizing environmental impact through less waste oil disposal.
I guaranteed them they’d triple (at least) the oil drain of the previous oil after switching to Equipower, and I assured them LE would provide faster delivery.
- Kevin Chapin
Customer Profile
Heidelberg Materials in Nazareth, Pa., is a cement manufacturer producing more than 1.5 million metric tons of cement per year. Heidelberg has been in business since 1897 and has been an LE customer since 2009.
Application
The company has an IKN Schrage Rohrketten 400-gallon 75HP clinker cooler hydraulic system.
Challenge
Using a major oil company’s hydraulic oil in its clinker cooler system, Heidelberg changed the oil every six months when oil analysis showed it was no longer usable. They were interested in extending the oil drains to reduce lubricant consumption and maintenance time, while also ensuring the equipment was properly protected. They also needed the hydraulic oil delivered faster than what their current supplier was able to do.
LE Solution
Kevin Chapin, LE lubrication consultant, recommended Equipower™ Hydraulic Oil (4934), an ISO VG 68 anti-wear hydraulic oil designed to assure longer life for bearings and rubbing surfaces. It contains select base oils for oxidation resistance and an additive package that offers rust protection, anti-wear properties, and thermal stability. It is nonfoaming in service and recommended for mobile and stationary hydraulic systems operating in highly contaminated environments or where high lubricant consumption is a concern. It is also available in 32 and 46 ISO viscosity grades, Equipower 4932 and 4933 respectively.
Kevin guaranteed them they’d triple (at least) the oil drain of the previous oil after switching to Equipower, and he assured them LE would provide faster delivery.
Results
LE’s Equipower Hydraulic Oil has been in the clinker cooler unit since it was introduced in 2019 and is still going strong. That’s five years vs. the previous oil’s six-month lifespan – a 900% increase in time between oil changes. This is saving the company an estimated $65,000 or more in lubricant cost alone.
During the fourth year, Heidelberg used an LE filter cart to clean the oil based on information obtained from routine oil analysis. After filtration, they resampled and determined the oil was still in optimum condition and could remain in the hydraulic unit for continued service.
By extending drains, the company has reduced the maintenance hours needed to do frequent oil changes. Further, using LE’s longer lasting oil means less waste oil to be disposed of, contributing to Heidelberg’s commitment to protecting the environment by minimizing impact.