Testimonials
LE's 8800 MONOLEC ULTRA® Engine Oil significantly extends the life of agricultural equipment at Lakeland Aviation.
key takeaways
Challenge
Lakeland Aviation experienced rapid wear and failure of Tecumseh pumps and Wisconsin engines, with pumps lasting only two months and engines up to two years despite frequent oil changes, when using commercial and aviation grade oils.
LE solution
Mark Nickel recommended Lakeland Aviation use LE’s 8800 MONOLEC ULTRA® Engine Oil to extend engine life and protect components from high combustion temperatures caused by AV-995 fuel, thanks to its wear-reducing additives and enhanced film strength.
Results
By switching to LE’s 8800 MONOLEC ULTRA® Engine Oil, Lakeland Aviation has extended pump life from 2 months to over 4 years, saving $300 per pump in downtime and replacement costs, while also prolonging engine life to over 6 years, reducing the need for $4,500 replacements.
Customer Profile
Lakeland Aviation, located in Corcoran, CA, provides aerial application of agricultural chemicals and fertilizers for the agribusiness operations in the Corcoran area. They have been an LE customer since 1987.
Application
The mixing and pumping equipment is a vital part of the spraying operation of Lakeland Aviation.
Challenge
When using various commercial grade and aviation grade engine oils in this ground equipment, Lakeland Aviation was only able to make the Tecumseh pumps last two months before the bearings and rings would wear out and the pumps would seize up. While using commercial grade engine oil, the Wisconsin engines would only last one year, two at a maximum, even with weekly (100 hr.) oil changes.
LE Solution
LE Lubrication Consultant Mark Nickel recommended that Lakeland Aviation use LE’s 8800 MONOLEC ULTRA® Engine Oil in these units to extend their life. The severe nature of the service is increased by Lakeland’s use of AV-995 to fuel these units, thus creating very high combustion temperatures. LE’s 8800 MONOLEC ULTRA® Engine Oil is made from select paraffinic base oils and a synergistic blend of additives to reduce wear and provide all-season, all-weather performance. LE’s 8800 contains MONOLEC®, LE’s exclusive wear-reducing additive, which greatly increases the oil’s film strength to provide protection for pistons, rings, cylinders and valve guides at elevated combustion temperatures.
Results
Since converting to LE’s 8800 MONOLEC ULTRA® Engine Oil, the pump life has been extended from 2 months to over 4 years. This saves Lakeland Aviation downtime and replacement costs of $300 per pump, each time a pump would be rebuilt. The Wisconsin engines have now extended their oil change intervals to one month or 400 hours. These air-cooled engines are now lasting over 6 years!
According to Maintenance Mechanic Ernest “Cobra” Aguilar, he installed LE’s 8800 MONOLEC ULTRA® Engine Oil in one older Wisconsin engine that was “clanking and blowing lots of smoke”. He thought he might get another couple of week’s use out of it while waiting for a replacement. Six months later the engine was finally replaced. LE’s 8800 stopped the clanking and smoking. Based on the excellent performance of LE’s 8800 MONOLEC ULTRA Engine Oil in these units, all of the pumps and mixer engines have been converted to LE’s 8800. Lakeland Aviation expected the Wisconsin engine life to reach over two years with LE’s 8800, and are very pleased to be getting 4 to 5 years now. These engines cost $4,500 to replace! The Tecumseh pumps are now lasting over 4 years!