Construction Applications
Lubricants play a vital role in construction. The equipment needs to perform under severe conditions, from heavy loads and extreme temperatures, to excessive wear and dirt and water contamination. Such challenges mean it is essential to provide optimal protection.
Since construction operations often move frequently from location to location, a maintenance team will not always be nearby. Machine breakdown can lead to long unplanned downtime and unexpected costs, which all equipment owners and operators hope to avoid.
Choosing the right lubricant is essential in helping to improve reliability, boost productivity and reduce the frequency of breakdowns. It’s important to consider what factors will impact whether a lubricant will be effective for its intended purpose.
Construction equipment has come a long way - and so have the lubricants that keep it running smoothly. As technology for machinery has advanced, the industry has demanded that lubrication and other fluids keep up with changing transmissions and increased load requirements. Keep these three things in mind when sorting through what your equipment needs.
Stress is a (huge) factor
Construction rigs have many different lubrication needs, and whether they are pushing dirt or pulling loads, they all (unsurprisingly) are put under a lot of stress. This is why most construction lubricants are formulated to be pretty tough. The following lubricants, however, should receive special attention.
Hydraulic fluid: Hydraulics need fluids that can withstand lifting and hoisting - along with the wear and tear these activities bring. Hydraulics are often exposed to a variety of outdoor elements, so finding a product that can handle any and all of those conditions is important.
Power transmission fluid: Transmissions can take a beating in off-road construction equipment.
Watch out for getting washed out
Construction equipment doesn't get to retreat to a garage or shed at the end of a long day. It tends to sit outside, day in and day out, until the job is completely done. It's important to use a product that can withstand both rain and sunshine - and everything in between.
Grease, in particular, is susceptible to washout since it's oftentimes most exposed. HD MOLY XTREME is a severe-duty, multipurpose, all-season and extreme-pressure grease that's formulated to withstand rain and other water.
Watch out for getting washed out
Finally, don't forget about changing seasons. Though construction may pick up in the summer, many projects go year-round until they're complete. Choosing products that are multi-viscosity or have a viscosity that matches the temperature outside is important to ensure your machinery performs at its best.
As a general rule of thumb, low- or multi-grade-viscosity products should be used during cool temperatures, and higher- or multi-grade-viscosity products should be used during warmer months.
