Oil Sampling Intervals Reviewed
By BRETT WINBERG

We wish to end 2004 with an informational newsletter that let's us all know how important timely oil analysis can be.

We also want to say Thank You! from all of the LubeTrak staff… to all of our subscribers for your support and input. During the year, we had some great letters from industry insiders such as Dave Wooton, Jim Fitch, Terrence O’hanlon, Ron Whistler, Paul Whetstone and many others … thank you all for your expertise and input.

We wish everyone a wonderful Holiday season and we look forward to your continued support in 2005!

Okay, back to the newsletter… the main objective of oil sampling is to find bad news or check the condition of the equipment being sampled.

Condition Based Monitoring and Proactive Maintenance should enable the ability to manage this news that you and your company are receiving. The equipment and oil will usually give off silent alarms when problems first occur. In time, as the severity increases, these alarms are no longer silent, and this is when condition based monitoring can reveal the real underlying problem.

If after viewing your oil samples, and not addressing the problem, the equipment may have to be torn down and repaired. These costs can be staggering…sometimes thousands of dollars in lost production and employee labor.

We have put together an oil-sampling chart that we recommend using when starting an oil-sampling program. The full color, printable chart is posted on our web site at:
http://www.lubetrak.com/companysolutions/whitepapers.htm

There are many more applications. Please view the website for more information.

Unlike other machine condition monitoring techniques that employ monthly oil testing, many oil-sampling programs are based upon annual or semi annual testing. This compromises the sense of a 'Proactive Approach' to maintenance and puts you back to a preventative maintenance mode.

Scheduled oil sampling intervals are a common practice for most companies. The frequency may be based on drain intervals or operating hours. Our charts gives the most commonly used recommendations based on operating hours of different machines and components. You and your company must take into consideration the following equipment and application criteria:

• Penalty if a Failure Occurs: Downtime, repair cost, business interruption and other costs.
• Equipment Age: For most equipment, chances of failure are greatest during break in and after major overhauls. The risk also increases as a piece of equipment approaches the end of its expected life. A good practice is to increase oil sampling during these periods.
• Fluid Environment Severity: Operation conditions influence the frequency and rate of machine failure. These include loads, temperatures, speed, pressures, and contaminant rate.

Oil analysis results are readily available within minutes when using on site lab equipment. Many companies wait up to ten days for results, however test results are available within 8 to 10 minutes with this type of equipment. From diesel engines to the largest hydraulic system, oil analysis can be made an easy to manage program. Please click here to get more information.

Always make sure to adjust your oil-sampling schedule accordingly when considering the items above.

Manage your subscription to LubeTalk, using the SUBSCRIPTIONS area of this newsletter. You can also signup by visiting lubetrak.com. For more information, call toll-free 1.866.LUBETRAK (1.866.582.3872)