We monitor your oil with methods developed by Caterpillar and designed to evaluate the condition of your machine components, not just the condition of your oil.
WEAR RATE ANALYSIS
Identifies the type of wear metal elements present, reported as PPM (parts per million)
When samples are taken at regular intervals, these elements can be trended to often spot the onset of a pregression towards premature wear or failure
Element combinations help pinpoint problem areas. These combinations aid in the identification of the source of excessive wear
Monitor environmental contaminants, such as silicon/sodium, that indicate dirt entry into the system
Lower your overall coefficient of wear, ultimately extending the life of your component
OIL CLEANLINESS ANALYSIS
70% of all hydraulic system failures are caused by some form of contaminant
Particle count analysis is used to detect metallic and non-metallic impurities in oil, such as friction disc material or contamination, that are otherwise undetectable
Combined with wear-rate analysis, this provides a more comprehensive evaluation of hydraulic and powertrain component health
OIL CONDITION ANALYSIS
Determines lubrication properties of your oil
Infrared analysis is used to test for soot, sulphation, oxidation, and nitration, determines the extent of oil deterioration and if your oil is performing to spec
DETECTION OF FUEL, WATER, GLYCOL
Fluid contaminants can degrade oil performance rapidly and are often signs of problems elsewhere that could require immediate attention
VISCOSITY
Is a measure of your oil's lubricity, or its ability to lubricate your machine's internal moving parts
ADDITIONAL TESTS
TAN (Total Acid Number): A measure of the buildup of acidic byproducts in your oil, which can lead to corrosion and premature wear of internal metallic components
TBN (Total Base Number): A measure of your oil's alkalinity reserve and its ability to neutralize acidic contaminants and prevent corrosion
Both TAN and TBN numbers can help to indicate when your oil should be changed.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Fred Stauffer, SOS Supervisor
Telephone: (541) 465-8410
