Leading automotive lubricant specialist Q8Oils has launched Q8 T 2300 CVT, a synthetic Universal Tractor Transmission Oil (UTTO) suitable for use in most modern agricultural and off-highway vehicles as well as equipment featuring a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) and requiring separate engine and component lubricants.
Q8 T 2300 CVT is a multipurpose agricultural lubricant for use in hydraulic systems, transmissions and oil-immersed brakes and clutches. Its excellent viscosity retention provides smooth CVT operation throughout the life of the oil; and the use of the latest synthetic technology ensures excellent oil-ageing resistance to provide extended drain intervals.
For oil-immersed brake applications, Q8 T 2300 CVT provides optimal frictional characteristics for smooth brake operation and, thanks to a reduction in wet brake noise, friction plate wear is limited while brake capacity is maintained. For transmission applications, operators can be sure that their equipment is protected against rust and potential component corrosion. In addition, as a hydraulic fluid Q8 T 2300 CVT contains effective anti-foaming agents and is compatible with conventional elastomers to avoid leakage.
Q8 T 2300 CVT – which is available in 20 and 208 litre drums – has been specifically developed by Q8Oils to meet numerous OEM specifications including API GL-4; ZF TE ML-06B / 06D / 06E / 06F / 06H / 06L / 06M / 06R / 06S; John Deere JDM J20C/Hygard; CNH MAT 3525 / CNH MAT 3540 (CVT); Valtra G2-08 (XT-60); Same Deutz-Fahr (ZF 06D); Claas CVT; Fendt Vario; and AGCO CVT ML 200.
For further information on Q8 T 2300 CVT from Q8Oils and its range of agricultural lubricants, visit www.Q8Oils.co.uk, email Marketing@Q8Oils.com or call +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.
