{"id":11959,"date":"2021-07-27T16:51:52","date_gmt":"2021-07-27T14:51:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=11959"},"modified":"2021-07-27T16:51:52","modified_gmt":"2021-07-27T14:51:52","slug":"lubrication-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2021\/07\/27\/lubrication-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Three keys to an efficient shop lubrication system"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Maximum ROI is achieved when fleets properly manage consumption, contamination control and technician productivity.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

If fleets want a truly efficient lubrication system for the shop, they must view it in a more holistic way. \u201cFleets must look at efficiency, contamination control and consumption all at the same time,\u201d says Mark Jones, lubrication reliability consultant for Lubrication Engineers, a manufacturer of high-performance lubricants and lubrication reliability products.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA fleet also needs to think about its budget,\u201d Jones adds. “If you went all out on every aspect, you could easily spend $80,000 to $100,000. If you can’t spend that kind of money, there are plenty of options to help you configure a productive and reliable system.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Configuration considerations<\/span><\/h3>\n

How a fleet goes about configuring a lubrication system will depend on its unique circumstances. Jones always asks a fleet: How do you take your oil to work?<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou have to look at your own situation to determine what is best in terms of equipment and placement,” Jones says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fleets that need to turn vehicles as quickly as possible can benefit greatly from a system where hoses drop from the ceiling. That eliminates the need for technicians to walk around refilling their dispensing containers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI look to see where vehicles pull in to determine where hoses need to drop from,\u201d says Jimmy Kukulski, president of Elite Lubrication Specialties. \u201cIt\u2019s all about making it as easy as possible for the fleet without affecting oil quality and cleanliness. I also try to make it easier for whomever is delivering oil.” Kukulski is also a manufacturer’s rep for Lubrication Engineers.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are alternatives to ceiling-dropped hoses, Jones reminds.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Some shops don’t have the right facility setup or budget to run hoses,” he says. “Color-coded top-off containers are a good solution. They have unique lids and spouts that make dispensing easier.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Cart-mounted mobile transfer tanks represent another alternative. They allow technicians to keep a lube supply closer by, reducing the downtime associated with having to walk to the main storage container to refill dispensing containers.<\/span><\/p>\n

When configuring a shop’s lubrication system, fleets should keep an eye on the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMany changes in lubricants have happened over the past 10 years as OEMs try to increase fuel economy,\u201d says Don Youman, president and COO of Balcrank, a manufacturer of fluid dispensing equipment used in the automotive, commercial and industrial markets. \u201cThat has resulted in high-tech, advanced low- and multi-viscosity oils. Planning for the future will make the management of these fluids less costly over the long-run.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Youman says fleets must have a good understanding of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n