Tuesday, 4 June 2013

CONSIDERATION OF OIL DURATION IN FARM ENGINE OPERATION


In the life cycle of a farm engine, automobile, truck, tractor or other fuel-powered farm machine more than proper lubrication, nothing will add to it and this means oil. However, crankcase lubricating motor oil is not just oil, it beyond that. It is made up of a petroleum product as well as so many additives. These added additives include the following;
  • Dispersants which keep the heavy particles in suspension with the oil so they don’t settle out and remain when the oil is drained out from the engine
  • An anti-wear agent which provides chemical polishing to lower the wear and tear rate
  • Detergents which act like soap in the cleaning off the carbon which are present in the engine
  • Foam depressants that keep the foam down when the engine revolves at a very high performing rate
  • Oxidation inhibitors which can slow down corrosive action and avoid rust of engine
Presently, there are many oil additives in the commercial market. But there is the notion that the best general advice is to avoid their usage. It is very difficult for a farmer, home owner, or lay person to chemically formulate a proper balance between the oil stock and needed additives. This greatly requires a chemical analysis under controlled conditions of a chemical oil engineer and laboratory testing of oil.

Formulated oil for specific purpose

Framers and individuals’ engine owners should be advice in purchasing oils formulated for a specific purpose and sold on a door-to-door demonstrational basis. The institute and specialist of Petroleum products mark the oil can with its specification of oil quality and usage. The oil institutes spend millions of dollars in research to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the oil.

In farm operations, a good tool to have and use on the farm is a tractor and farm implement lubrication guide giving service instructions. Also very important for any machine is the operator’s manual. Check the recommendations in operator’s manual for the type of oil and instructions for changing the oil. Follow these instructions. If you don’t, the result will be costly and may cause farm operations delay.

Remember that oil filters, air cleaners and tune-ups are a lot cheaper than overhauls. A normal farm practice with engines is to change the oil filter with every other oil change. It usually pays to buy oil filters by the case and to put in new air cleaners frequently. It is important to observe the oil gauge to make sure that you have good oil pressure. Normally, the pressure should go high when you start and then drop down a little when the engine warms up. Because the oil often doesn’t get hot enough in winter to remove the water, there is a tendency for water to condense in the engine. Usually, you should plan to change oil more frequently in winter than in the summer. But when operating under dusty conditions, you will need to change the oil even more frequently unlike the winter and summer. Use judgment about where and how the engine is being operated to determine when to change oil. Your best guide is to note the manufacturer’s recommendation as to the maximum time for changing oil, and then adjust for conditions that may require more frequent changing.

The look of oil can be so deceitful so don’t expect to tell when oil the needs changing by looking at it. The appearance of the oil is not a satisfactory indicator. The oil in a diesel engine will be black almost immediately since it holds the carbon particles in suspension. But with so many different designations of oil on the commercial market, you should be able to know which one to use as specify by the manufacturer.

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