If measured in ton-miles, 40 % of all U.S. long-distance freight is moved by rail. If measured in pure tonnage, that number is 16% Your equipment must be reliable and work well in all conditions.
Let me know if you have any rail yard maintenance related lubricant questions.
John Warner
43 years experience
DIESEL CRANKCASE OIL
CONVENTIONAL
Standard conventional diesel engine oils will remain the work horse of the industry for the next few years. As current older fleets are replaced with more efficient power units, this weight class will steadily lose market share.
Common weight 15W-40
API Service Category CK-4
SYNTHETIC BLEND
Blended synthetic diesel engine oils were designed for fuel economy. The EPA has mandated that engine manufacturers meet increasingly stringent fuel economy standards. A reduction in engine oil viscosities is the only way these standards can be met. Diesel engine oil viscosities will surely become lighter over time.
Common weights 15W-40/10W-30
API Service Category CK-4
FULLY SYNTHETIC
Fully synthetic diesel engine oils were designed for cold weather and extended drain intervals. Highly refined lower viscosity base oils increase pumpability while more robust VI improvers allow the fluid to stay in grade over a wider temperature range.
Common weights 10W-40/5W-40/0W-40/5W-30
API Service Category CK-4 & FA-4
HYDRAULIC FLUID
ANTI-WEAR
These monograde hydraulic oils are designed for high-performance anti-wear protection and long life in moderate outdoor climates or for indoor use. These lubricants contain no viscosity index improver so they thin out as they heat up.
Common weights: AW-22/32/46/68
MULTI-VISCOSITY
Multi-Viscosity hydraulic oils are designed for heavy duty applications operating at high pressures in a wide temperature range. MV fluids are similar to anti-wear hydraulic oils but they include a viscosity index improver. This VI improver is a plastic polymer which expands as the temperature increases. This expansion happens at about the same rate as the base oil thins maintaining the same viscosity over a wide temperature band.
Common weights: MV-22-32-46-68
TRANSMISSION FLUIDS
TRACTOR HYDRAULIC
Hydrostatic transmission fluid is designed for equipment with a common oil system for transmission, differential, hydraulic, power take-off, wet brake and power steering mechanisms. These fluids are heavily additized and contain a viscosity index improver.
These fluids are commonly SAE 10W-30
HEAVY DUTY SYNTHETIC BLEND ATF
HEAVY DUTY SYNTHETIC BLEND Automatic Transmission Fluid is specially formulated to perform under the demanding severe service operating conditions found in heavy duty transmission systems. It is designed for use in commercial applications where a Severe Duty and Extended Drain Interval fluid is specified.
- Suitable for use where Allison TES-295, Caterpillar TO-2, MB 236.1/.5/.6/.7, MAN 339 Typ Z2 & V2, Volvo 97341 or Ford MERCON®V specification is recommended
- Approved for Voith (H55.6336.xx DIWA Service Bulletin 013 & 118, formerly G1363) 72,000 mile and ZF TE-ML 14B extended drain applications. Also approved for Allison C4 (legacy), ZF TE-ML 03D, 04D, 16L and 17C (ZF001236)
- May also be used in automatic transmissions where a fluid meeting the former DEXRON®-III(H), -III(G), -II(E), or -II specification was recommended
GEAR OIL
SYNTHETIC
In recent years, the majority of fleets and repair facilities have moved to fully synthetic differential oils. These multi-grade oils are manufactured with a lighter base oil for better cold weather protection and a more advanced extreme pressure additive package. They also have a recommend service life of 250,000 miles.
Common Weight 75W-90/ 85W-140
CONVENTIONAL
In cold weather environments like Chicago, this class of fluids makes up less than 20% of the gear oil market. Regional fleets in warmer climates may still use this type of fluid.
Common Weight 80W-90
GREASE
GENERAL
Greases are made of heavy base oils of varying viscosities combined with application specific thickeners sometimes referred to as soaps and extreme pressure additives.
THICKENERS
Soaps are the most common emulsifying agent used, and the selection of the type of soap is determined by the application. Soaps include calcium stearate, sodium stearate, lithium stearate, as well as mixtures of these components. Fatty acid derivatives other than stearates are also used, especially lithium 12-hydroxystearate. The nature of the soaps influences the temperature resistance (relating to the viscosity), water resistance, and chemical stability of the resulting grease.
ADDITIVES
Some greases are labeled “EP”, which indicates “extreme pressure”. Under high pressure or shock loading, normal grease can be compressed to the extent that the greased parts come into physical contact, causing friction and wear. EP grease contains solid lubricants, usually graphite, and/or molybdenum disulfide, to provide protection under heavy load. The solid lubricants bond to the surface of the metal, and prevent metal-to-metal contact and the resulting friction and wear when the lubricant film gets too thin. Some greases specify the percentage of Molybdenum disulfide or “Moly” is an indication of shock loading capability.
ANTIFREEZE/COOLANT
ZEREX EXTENDED LIFE DIESEL COOLANT
ZEREX™ Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant patented formula has been charged with special inhibitors to protect diesel engines from liner pitting and hard water scale deposits for longer engine life. With the addition of an extender product, you can go 6 years, 14,000 hours, or 600,000 miles without changing your antifreeze. ZEREX Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant uses the highest quality virgin ethylene glycol for freeze and boilover protection, and a patented hybrid organic acid (HOAT) corrosion inhibitor package to protect cylinder liners from cavitation and liner pitting and your engine from rust and corrosion. HOAT coolants typically mix an OAT with a traditional inhibitor, such as silicates or phosphates.
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