Harry Barr has been appointed as Q8Oils’ field service technician (FST) for Scotland. Harry, who studied mechanical engineering at college and went on to serve his apprenticeship as an agricultural engineer, has also worked for British Steel and as a site manager within the Rolls Royce group.

Harry’s primary role is it to monitor the condition of Q8Oils metalworking fluids and lubricants at his customers’ sites. A variety of tests are carried out to ensure Q8Oils are performing correctly, including visual inspections, determination of the lubricant concentration, pH monitoring. In addition, conductivity, total dissolved solids, biocide concentration and the bio-burden are measured and FSTs also offer advice, which can help customers increase coolant life and performance, refine and improve cutting and forming processes, and reduce machine down-time.

The Q8Oils Field Service Technician service was launched at MACH 1992 and was so well received in the wider industry that, at METCUT 1994, it received a ‘Technical Innovation’ award from Metalworking Production.

Twenty-two years on from its launch, Q8Oils will be using this years’ MACH and Subcon shows to re-launch its FST service. The new offering, which uses a tablet-based system and bespoke app, will enable Q8Oils FSTs to monitor fluids, complete their audits and deliver results all while onsite; ensuring that if bacteria are found in cutting fluids it is reported as soon as possible.

Commenting for Q8Oils, Harry says: “We’ve been trialling this new system for a while now and it’s a real innovation and promises tangible benefits for Q8Oils customers.”

For further information, Q8Oils will be demonstrating the new FST system at MACH 2014 (Stand 5584) or Subcon 2014 (Stand G23). Alternatively, call Q8Oils on +44 (0)113 235 0555 or email Marketing@Q8Oils.com. 

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for 2014, Leeds-based Q8Oils will be supporting the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Flying seven days a week, 365 days a year, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is an independent charity providing a life-saving, rapid-response emergency service to over five million people across Yorkshire. The service covers major cities, motorways and rural and isolated locations in the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks.

Commenting on the announcement, YAA Regional Fundraiser, Kerry Garner says: “We are delighted that Q8Oils has chosen us as part of its 2014 CSR programme. Their generosity, like that of our other patrons and supporters, is the lifeblood of the charity, without which we would not be able to provide the service that we are so proud of.”

The charity needs to raise nearly £10,000 per day (£3.65 million per year) to keep both of its MD902 Explorer air ambulances maintained and in the air; and Q8Oils has already planned its first fundraising event as part of its efforts. The first event is the 25 mile Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge which will take place on Saturday 5^th April and Q8Oils is inviting staff and their friends and family to take part or make a donation.

Commenting for Q8Oils, country manager Andy Dixon says: “The Yorkshire Air Ambulance receives no direct government funding so we are arranging numerous fundraising events throughout the year to help raise funds from our friends, families, customers and suppliers to ensure that the YAA keeps providing life saving services”.

Those interested in supporting Q8Oils’ 2014 CSR programme and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance can request sponsorship details by calling Q8Oils on 0113 235 0555 or emailing Marketing@Q8Oils.com. Further information on the Three Peaks Challenge can be found at www.3peakswalks.co.uk. 

Q8Oils UK technical sales manager Mike Phillips explains the recent developments in specialised lubricants for commercial vehicles and the important role they play in reducing engine emissions and improving fuel economy.

Think of a lubricant like a structure made of concrete and building blocks, where the foundations are so important for maximum strength and durability. With automotive lubricants this is where we start and the major consideration is the base oil as the carrier for additives, which collectively provide the levels of performance necessary for today’s modern vehicles.

For automotive lubricants we start with the base oil or base stock and there are three common descriptions found in the terminology used when products are formulated and later described in technical data or marketing brochures.

The first is Mineral Oil Base Stocks, which are refined from crude oil and feature a wide distribution of chemical structures. Secondly there are Synthetic Base Stocks, which are built from chemical reactions and control over composition and distribution. The third is Semi-Synthetic or Part-Synthetic, which is a combination of mineral and synthetic base stocks in various proportions, blended to achieve the desired level of performance required in the finished lubricant, without incurring any unnecessary cost increase.

Mineral base stocks are still widely used for automotive and industrial lubricants, but performance in certain areas such as low- and high-temperature stability, means they have limited use. This is where synthetic base stocks have become an essential part of today’s modern automotive lubricants. Synthetics possess excellent low- and high-temperature stability and resistance to oxidation, which helps to determine the life of the finished lubricant.

Engine and emission requirements

For many years the automotive industry has been developing new engines to comply with exhaust emission legislations, which become more stringent as the years go by. Road haulage vehicles play a major role in this process and the European industry is now at the Euro VI exhaust emission level. These modern engines are highly-technical and use sophisticated exhaust after-treatment systems to clean exhaust gases.

Automotive engine lubricants play an extremely important role in ensuring the most efficient operation of heavy duty engines both in component durability and extended oil drain intervals, which now exceed 100,000km for long haul vehicles. Synthetic engine lubricants are now in high demand, achieving the levels of performance commonly specified by the OEM’s. Significantly, low SAPS additive technology (Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus and Sulphur) must now be used to ensure compatibility with expensive exhaust after-treatment systems and prevent the poisoning of catalysts. The wrong engine lubricant choice can be a very expensive mistake for the haulier, so the message is: check vehicle maintenance recommendations extremely carefully to ensure you are specifying the correct engine lubricant.

The common engine lubricant specifications recommended by OEMs will include references to ACEA (Europe) and API (USA). Do not ignore these OEM specifications as they are sometimes a requirement in addition to the industry standards for performance quality. Engine lubricant viscosity recommendations to the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) standards are now a key requirement, and will be specified according to climatic conditions wherever the vehicle will be used.

Biofuels are becoming more common and, while modern engine lubricants accommodate these fuels, there should be some consideration given to recommendations for users. The general opinion within the European automotive industry recommends halving the oil drain interval if you are not using EN590 fuel.

Fuel economy

Fuel economy is a major influence in the development of vehicles which, for several years, has included engine and transmission systems. A fuel efficient vehicle will not only use less fuel and reduce costs for the operator, but will also help to reduce exhaust emissions and meet legislation limits. Synthetic low-viscosity lubricants play an important role in reducing the internal friction in engine and transmission systems, and therefore have a positive effect on the overall vehicle fuel economy. It is now common for heavy duty vehicles to be using 10W-XX and 5W-XX engine lubricants and 75W-XX transmission lubricants.

Other lubricants and greases

For the hydraulic systems of certain heavy-duty vehicles, improved operating efficiency is now possible by using high VI (viscosity index) synthetic hydraulic fluids, which improve the hydraulic system’s efficiency and in turn, as hydraulic pumps are engine driven, the vehicle’s fuel economy.

Lubricating grease has also developed through the use of synthetic base oil technology, but what is grease?

The definition of grease is a “thickened fluid”, so it is the base oil carrier and additives that perform the lubrication function. The type of thickener specified for the application is there to keep the grease in position.

Modern grease formulations using synthetic base oil technology now deliver greater performance due to improved low- and high-temperature stability and resistance to oxidation. This means a longer operating life is possible depending on the application.

Further information is available from the Q8Oils Technical Help Line, which can assist with product recommendations, OEM approvals, product information, health and safety data, problem solving advice, troubleshooting and highly-specialised after sales packages. These include used oil test analysis, which can give instant diagnostic advice and support if required. Where necessary, laboratory analysis can also be provided to support problem solving, and is backed up with technical reports detailing corrective action.

For further information call the Q8Oils Technical Help Lines on +44 (0)113 236 5223 or email TechDesk@Q8Oils.com. 

Q8 Baroni XGPH from Q8Oils is a low-foaming, hard-water-stable cutting fluid suitable for multi-purpose machining.

Designed for use in CNC machines, flexible manufacturing and centralised systems and modern, high-flow machining centres Q8 Baroni XGPH can be used on a wide range of difficult to machine materials including cast iron, stainless steel, high-tensile steel, yellow metals, aluminium alloys and titanium.

This semi-synthetic, soluble metalworking fluid contains synthetic lubricity enhancers and is formulated to keep machines extremely clean throughout the life of the coolant and provide outstanding rust and corrosion protection. When mixed with water, its emulsion is highly stable, long lasting and requires little or no maintenance. Its bio-stable properties means that it does not degrade or produce bad odours and provides a long sump life, which can significantly reduce costs by minimising the frequency of coolant clean out, replenishment and addition of tank-side ancillary products.

To comply with your local legislation, waste treatment and environmental requirements, Q8 Baroni XGPH does not contain added chlorine, sulphur, creosols, phenols or nitrites.

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

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.