As part of Q8Oils and Optimum Oils strategic partner relationship, engineering graduates currently employed by two of Optimum Oils’ customers visited Q8Oils in September and took part in an induction course to provide them with a better understanding of Q8Oils and the wider industry.

The three graduates – William Barker from Go-Ahead and Dr Chau Man-chun and Derek Amponsah from Abellio – began their three-day experience at Q8Oils’ UK blending plant in Leeds. This was followed by a second day at Kuwait Petroleum’s Research & Technology (KPR&T) facility in Rotterdam and a third day at Antwerp’s blending plant. The three graduates were joined by Q8Oils’ James Thornton and Bob Stoker from Optimum Oils.

Explaining the importance of relationships with OEMs, KPR&T’s Adri van de Ven says that product knowledge and application training is a strategic tool for its employees and business partners alike, as it is essential that Q8Oils can provide the best possible advice to its customers to ensure the long term profitability of their businesses.

At each site the graduates received technical training and an in-depth induction on important topics including manufacturing, health and safety, planning and dispatch procedures. This provided the engineering graduates with a comprehensive understanding of Q8Oils products and how the company operates.

Commenting on the induction, Catherine Macklam, Key Account Co-ordinator for Q8Oils says: “It is crucial that we provide informative experiences and technical training such as this as it sets us apart from our competitors.”

Q8Oils has introduced Q8 T860 S, a 10W-40 heavy duty diesel oil (HDDO) that has been formulated to meet Scania’s LDF-III specification for trucks using the manufacturer’s diesel engines meeting the latest Euro V and VI emissions requirements.

Q8Oils claims that using its new Scania LDF-III approved engine oil will enable extended engine oil drain intervals to be used in Scania vehicles with Euro V engines (excluding Euro V - DC 16 21) without DPFs and Euro VI engines with. The company also claims that extended drain intervals can be 30% higher (up to 120,000 km) compared to its previous generation Q8 T860.

Although recommended for Scania’s 13 and 16 litre LDF-III engine oil specification Euro VI engines fitted with a DPF, Q8 T860 S can also be used for normally aspirated or turbocharged heavy-duty engines in commercial vehicles and off-highway equipment as the oil also meets ACEA E4 and E7; API CF; MAN 3277; MB 228.5; Renault RXD and RLD-2; and Volvo VDS-3 specifications.

Commenting for Q8Oils, automotive manager Andy Harris explains that the benefits of using Q8 T860 S for the end user don’t stop with increased drain intervals and the reduced maintenance costs associated with them. “From a cold start, our new HDDO provides excellent engine cleanliness and helps to limit engine wear by providing the correct lubrication to protect against bore polishingand cylinder and cam wear. It also helps to avoid the deposition of sludge from combustion soot, prohibits rust and corrosion and possesses good anti-foam characteristics.”

For further information on Q8 T860 S 10W-40 from Q8Oils and its range of heavy duty diesel oils, visit www.Q8Oils.co.uk, email Marketing@Q8Oils.com or call +44 (0)113 235 0555.

As the RKB-F1 British Sidecar Championship takes its summer break, there’s no rest for Sean Hegarty and the team ahead of Round 7 at Donington Park in September. Having suffered a crushed arm at Brands Hatch in July, Sean’s passenger Calum Lawson is leaving the team and will be replaced by James Neave for the remaining British rounds of the season.

James is no newcomer to sidecar and is judged by some in the sport as one of the best Formula 1 passengers in the world. Having ridden with Tim Reeves in the World Formula 1 Sidecar Championship he is currently racing with Scott Lawrie in the World Sidecar Championship.

The changes have also resulted in a new name for the team – Hegarty Q8Oils Racing – which is sponsored by Q8Oils and retains its instantly recognisable livery and number 33.

Sean and James’ first test was at the recent BEMSEE Championships at Donington Park, where the duo qualified in pole position and took the fastest lap of the weekend.

Commenting for Hegarty Q8Oils Racing, Sean Hegarty says he is looking forward to the remainder of the season with James and wishes Calum all the very best for his career.

The new partnership will go to Donington Park on 7^th and 8^th September to defend its current number two position in the Championship.

For more information about Q8Oils and its Q8 Moto SBK Racing engine oil visit www.Q8Oils.co.uk.

Q8Oils is continuing its development of soluble cutting fluids with the launch of Q8 Baroni XHS, a unique, high-performance, water-based cutting fluid that has been designed for general machining applications including deep hole drilling, boring, skiving and roller burnishing.

Being chlorine- and sulphur-free, Q8 Baroni XHS requires no environmental labelling and its excellent bio-stability provides long sump life and reduced maintenance costs. Formulated with unique water-soluble lubricity additives means that the use of Q8 Baroni XHS is not limited by water quality; and its low foaming properties also helps to minimise spillages and does not result in loss of machine pressure. The use of these latest high-performance lubricity additives also ensures excellent surface finish and extended tool life.

Commenting for Q8Oils, UK Sales Manager Mick Doxford says: “As a fully-synthetic metalworking fluid, Q8 Baroni XHS benefits from long-term stability and full tramp oil rejection and, thanks to its excellent lubricity properties, is suitable for low- to heavy-duty machining of ferrous alloys, stainless steel, high tensile steel, Inconel and other high-specification alloys.”

For further information on Q8 Baroni XHS and the Q8Oils range of industrial oils, visit www.Q8Oils.co.uk, email Marketing@Q8Oils.com or call +44 (0)113 235 0555.

Q8Oils has introduced Q8 Formula Techno FE Plus 5W-30, a highly fuel-efficient SAE 5W-30 synthetic passenger car motor oil that has been designed to meet the WSS M2C913-D approval for the latest generation of Ford’s automotive diesel and gasoline engines meeting Euro V and Euro VI emissions legislations.

Q8 Formula Techno FE Plus 5W-30 has been specially developed by Q8Oils for Ford’s latest wet-timing-belt engine technology and is backwards compatible with all engines requiring Ford WSS M2C 912-A, 913-A/B, 913-C approvals. It is also suitable for diesel and gasoline engines where manufacturers (including Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Volvo) recommend ACEA A5/B5 and A1/B1 specification lubricants; and is claimed by the company to offer a fuel economy improvement of up to 3% and extend drain intervals.

Outlining the benefits, Q8Oils automotive manager Andy Harris says that Q8 Formula Techno FE Plus 5W-30 provides excellent engine performance under all driving conditions; offers outstanding protection against foam formation, rust and corrosion; and provides high-oil film strength under all engine operating conditions.

Further information on Q8 Formula Techno FE Plus 5W-30 from Q8Oils and its range of passenger car motor oils is available at www.Q8Oils.co.uk, by emailing Marketing@Q8Oils.com or calling +44 (0)113 235 0555.

Q8Oils UK sales and marketing manager Mick Doxford explains how recent developments in specialised lubricants for agricultural equipment can help farmers prepare for the coming harvest.

To maximise machine and equipment performance during harvesting periods, especially when time is of the essence and the working environment can include a combination of inclement weather, dirt, crop dust, etc., specially-formulated agricultural lubricants can play a vital role.

Long working hours in difficult weather and heavy-going ground conditions increases service demands on agricultural equipment and the oils, lubricants and greases used to protect engines, transmissions and other components. In order to reduce downtime during harvesting it is essential to minimise wear in the engine, transmission and hydraulic systems of farm vehicles to limit breakdowns and minimise maintenance.

Lubricants manufacturers need to meet the challenging environments and working practices of modern agricultural machinery such as combines, compactors, tractors and diggers. They also need to be flexible enough to consider the constraints of their ultimate customers – the farmers themselves – which can be as basic as product costs and service life, and as demanding as stockholding, service intervals and reducing maintenance requirements.

A key requirement for the engine oils used in farm machinery is to comply with the stringent requirements of the Association of Constructors of European Automobiles (ACEA) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) to ensure that they perform to the specifications required of vehicles currently in production, and meet the requirements of leading agricultural machinery manufacturers such as Claas, Massey Ferguson and John Deere. To comply with the most demanding agricultural operations, lubricants based on high quality, hydro-finished base oils are available.

These are subjected to a unique process that removes any remaining impurities, rendering them clear, pure and highly oxidation stable. This ensures that oils maintain colour, viscosity and, most importantly, product integrity in order to prolong engine and transmission life. Such products also improve health and safety in the vehicles and maintenance workshops by minimising oil mist contamination in the working environment.

Especially popular with small, medium and large scale agricultural operations are the latest generation of universal oils and lubricants, which offer farmers and plant operators the opportunity to stock a single versatile product for vehicles and machinery. Products have been developed with the properties necessary to provide highly-effective lubrication for engines, transmissions and final drives, and complementary hydraulic fluids are also available for brake and clutch systems.

The obvious benefits of universal lubricants is the reduction in storage and handling costs, the prevention and protection provided against equipment corrosion and rust, friction plate wear and the formation of foam. Universal engine oils are also suitable for both diesel and petrol engines, further reducing stock holding.

Premium universal lubricants, formulated using synthetic base oils and additives, are recommended to provide lubrication and protection for engines, wet brakes, transmissions and hydraulics in high-performance agricultural tractors and other farming equipment, including off-highway vehicles. Universal products are also available to reduce the possibility of the wrong oil being selected.

Heavy duty Euro IV & V engines are best filled with high-performance, low SAPS, synthetic engine oils to ensure protection against bore polishing, cam wear and to prevent engine fouling due to combustion soot. When choosing these oils, which need to be ACEA approved, make sure a ‘double drain’ formulation is specified that will extend oil drain intervals, significantly reduce maintenance costs and help to increase vehicle workshop efficiency. To further optimise performance throughout agricultural operations, and to maintain cost and storage savings, complementary greases and transmission, hydraulic and chain oils are usually available to meet the same high standards as the engine oils. Another benefit of oils, lubricants and greases specially developed for the agricultural operating environment is the opportunity to improve fuel consumption.

As agricultural lubricants are developed for specialist vehicles and environments, manufacturers need to provide help and advice on their application and handling, so make sure a technical support team is available for field visits (pun intended!) and telephone contact to ensure the correct product is specified for every machine and environment.

Today, technical help lines are available to assist with product recommendations, OEM approvals, product information, health and safety data, problem solving advice, trouble shooting and highly-specialised after sales packages such as used oil test analysis that can give instant diagnostic advice and support if required. Where necessary, laboratory analysis should also be available to support problem solving, and are often backed up with technical reports detailing corrective action.

Q8Oils is celebrating following two successful race weekends for Hegarty Lawson Q8Oils Racing, the British Formula 1 Sidecar team the company is sponsoring for the 2013 season.

In its latest British Formula 1 Sidecar Championship race held at Donington Park on 24^th to 26^th May, the team competed alongside FIM World Superbike Championship teams to qualify second on the grid for Race 1 on Saturday. Sean Hegarty and Calum Lawson made a great start and, after the second turn, managed to take the lead from Team JH Racing. Hegarty Lawson Q8Oils (HLR) retained this lead despite many attempts from current Championship leaders Steinhausen/Cluze and finished the race a clear five seconds ahead, putting HLR and its LCR Suzuki in pole position for Race 2 on Sunday.

Sunday saw another great start for HLR and a real spectacle for the crowds as they battled for position with Steinhausen/Cluze and Team JH Racing. In chasing the leaders, Sean and Calum set the fastest lap and eventually finished second, gaining valuable points and moving them up to second place in the Championship.

Commenting for Hegarty Lawson Q8Oils Racing, driver Sean Hegarty says that despite not achieving the double win, the team is incredibly happy with the weekend’s results and is looking forward to Knockhill for round four of the British Eastern Airways Sidecar Championship on 14^th to 16^th June.

Prior to the team’s success at Donington Park, HLR entered its first ‘wildcard’ event of the season, a Dutch Championship race at the Hengelo road race circuit in Holland. Arriving on the Friday afternoon, Sean and Calum tested the bike over seven laps and, following the first session on the Saturday morning, managed to take pole position after just six laps. The team continued to dominate the event, maintaining pole into the first corner, breaking the lap record on lap two and continuing to pull clear of the field to win the race 18 seconds ahead of its closest rival.

Commenting for Q8Oils, automotive sales manager Andy Harris says: “Everyone at Q8Oils is delighted with these results and would like to congratulate Sean and Calum on their recent performances. Two victories and a second place are also fantastic results for the Q8 team in Leeds as they prove that Q8 Moto SBK Racing10W-50 engine oil has what it takes to compete in a Championship that has, for so many years, been dominated by a single motor oil supplier.”

Q8 Moto SBK Racing is a very high quality, synthetic 10W-50 motorcycle engine oil designed specifically for high-performance four-stroke engines with wet or dry clutches. Developed by Q8Oils for racing, road and off-road use, it provides superior levels of protection, while helping to maintain engine power.

Q8Oils has announced a performance upgrade for its Q8 T 910 ultra-high-performance synthetic heavy duty diesel oil (HDDO).

The first generation of this popular low SAPS 5W-30 oil was originally formulated for the lubrication of all Euro IV and Euro V diesel engines fitted with a diesel particulate filter or catalytic treatment system that required ACEA E6. It could also be used in ACEA E7 applications. Now, using Q8Oils’ latest generation additive technology, Q8 T 910 has been reformulated to meet ACEA E9, API CJ-4 and JASO DH-2 specifications. OEM performance levels have also been upgraded and include Mercedes-Benz 228.31, Volvo VDS-4, Renault RLD-3/RGD, Mack EO-O PP, Cummins CES 20081 and Caterpillar ECF-3.

The improved detergency and dispersancy properties of Q8Oils’ latest HDDO also contributes to a clean engine during use, which delivers a fuel economy improvement of 1.36% and optimises engine performance.

Commenting for Q8Oils, direct sales manager Jeremy Dineen says: “The formulation upgrade for Q8 T 910 makes this engine oil a very attractive proposition for customers wanting to rationalise their HDDO range as the upgraded Q8 T 910 can combine Q8 T 760 and Q8 T 904 / T 905 performance in one multi-fleet engine oil.”

He goes on to say that this second generation HDDO uses the latest DI additive and Viscosity Index (VI) improver technology, which have both contributed significantly to Q8 T 910’s performance upgrade. This new VI improver technology has excellent viscosity retention and ensures excellent cold starting when using bio-diesel.

For further information on Q8 T 910 from Q8Oils and its range of heavy duty diesel oils, visit www.Q8Oils.co.uk, email Marketing@Q8Oils.com or call +44 (0)113 235 0555.

Q8Oils has extended its range of soluble cutting and grinding fluids with the introduction of Q8 Beethoven MPS, a multi-purpose, water mix metalworking fluid that delivers tangible cost savings by incorporating an extreme pressure additive that delivers extended tool life while providing excellent surface finish and outstanding corrosion protection. Further cost savings are achieved due to the fluid’s ease of maintenance, which extends fluid life and makes it especially suitable for centralised systems.

Commenting for Q8Oils, Mick Doxford says: “Q8 Beethoven MPS is formulated to provide an optimum balance between performance and economy, making it ideal for general machining on a wide range of materials and applications.”

The high detergency and excellent wetting properties of Q8 Beethoven MPS also ensure superior cleanliness by forming a highly-stable emulsion in both soft and hard waters to extend sump life and make sure that machines remain clean with no sticky deposits. The same bio-stable properties mean the emulsion does not degrade or produce bad odours.

Q8 Beethoven MPS is available in 20L and 208L drums or 1000L IBC Drop Off containers.

For further information on Q8 Beethoven MPS and Q8Oils’ range of industrial lubricants, visit www.Q8Oils.co.uk, email Marketing@Q8Oils.com or call +44 (0)113 235 0555.