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Top 5 Fluids to Boost Your Farm Equipment’s Performance
In modern farming, the performance of our farm equipment is crucial for a successful season. But, we often forget about something essential – choosing the right fluids.
Beyond the metal and rubber, maintaining the optimal performance of equipment involves using the right liquids for essential components like the engine, hydraulics, transmission, and various moving parts. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the top five fluids that make sure everything, from gears to bearings, works seamlessly.
1. Fuel
Fuel serves as the heartbeat of any farm equipment. Clean and high-quality fuel is essential for optimal combustion.
Regularly using premium fuel, clear of any impurities, prevents the build-up of deposits in the engine, reducing wear and tear over time.
Moreover, the choice of fuel isn’t just about keeping your machines running; it directly impacts their longevity, too. To further boost fuel performance, consider integrating these diesel fuel additives into your routine.
Types of Fuel Additives
- Cetane
- Anti-gel
- Detergents
- Water control
- Atomi
Helpful Tips:
- Anti-gel additives are more valuable in colder climates, preventing the formation of gel-like substances in diesel fuel that can clog fuel lines and filters.
- Cetane boosters increase engine power, improve fuel efficiency, and reduce emissions.
2. Antifreeze
As winter approaches, temperature control is paramount.
Antifreeze and coolant protect your engine from freezing and overheating, respectively.
Varieties of Antifreeze:
- Green (requires additives, shorter lifespan)
- Pink/Purple (green with additives, shorter lifespan)
- Red (initial quality antifreeze, longer lifespan)
- Yellow (superior to red, extended lifespan)
- New Red (optimal choice, boasting a lifespan of 20,000 hours or a million miles)
Helpful Tips:
- Avoid mixing antifreeze with another type to ensure optimal performance.
- Use distilled water exclusively in your cooling system to prevent potential issues.
- Use in temperatures between -34 degrees Fahrenheit and +265 degrees Fahrenheit for best results
3. Grease
Grease is like the unsung hero for your farm equipment, making sure everything runs smoothly by reducing friction, preventing wear and tear, and protecting against corrosion.
When choosing the right grease, there are more options than you might think, each designed for specific needs like cold weather performance, resistance to high temperatures, meeting food-grade standards, water resistance, and stickiness.
Important Components of Grease
- Thickener – may include lithium, aluminum, calcium sulfonate, bentone, or polyuria
- Oil – categorized as Group I, II, III, IV
- Additives – moly, EP (extreme pressure), or other proprietary enhancements. The most common grade of grease is #2, and any grease less than a #0 is too fluid for a grease gun.
| # |
|---|
|
OOO |
|
OO |
|
O |
|
1 |
|
2 |
|
3 |
| APPEARANCE |
|---|
|
Fluid
|
|
Semi-fiuid |
|
Soft |
|
Very soft |
|
Normal |
|
Firm |
| COMPARISON |
|---|
|
Cooking oil |
|
Applesauce |
|
Brown mustarf |
|
Tomato paste |
|
Peanut butter |
|
Vegetable shortening |
Helpful Tips:
1. Lithium grease is compatible with majority of other grease
2. Aluminum grease is not the best for heavy-duty equipment because they may cause corrosion and load-carrying limitations
3. Some additives may not be suited as a multi-purpose grease for everything
4. Lubricants
- Choosing the right lubricant provides your equipment with armor.
- Regular and proper lubrication is vital for creating a protective shield against corrosion, which is a common problem in agriculture where equipment is exposed to changing weather. It also helps keep hydraulic systems in tractors and other machinery working smoothly.
- As farming practices evolve with advancements in technology, the role of lubrication becomes even more pronounced, providing a straightforward yet potent method to enhance the reliability, longevity, and overall productivity of essential farm equipment.
5 Reasons To Use Better Lubricants:
- Lower fuel cost
- Increased Horsepower
- Better Temperature Control
- Quieter equipment
- Less lubricants needed
Helpful Tips:
CJ-4 and CK-4 are specifications for heavy-duty diesel engine oils developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API).
Both CJ-4 and CK-4 oils are suitable for use in a wide range of heavy-duty diesel engines, including those found in construction machines and farm equipment.
Year Invented:
CJ-4 (Introduced in 2006)
CK-4 (Introduced in 2016)
| OIL GROUPS | SYNTHETIC | BASE |
|---|---|---|
|
I |
NO |
TRADITIONAL |
|
II |
NO |
Hydrocracked |
|
III |
YES (FAKE) |
Modified Group II |
|
IV |
YES |
Polyalphaolefin |
Helpful Tips:
CJ-4 addresses diesel particulate filters (DPF) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems. This specification focuses on providing protection against wear, deposits, and oil oxidation.
2. CK-4 aims to enhance engine design, emissions control technology, and fuel quality. It offers shear stability, oxidation resistance, and aeration control.
Boost Your Equipment’s Performance with RangeLine Group
In the world of agriculture where every season demands peak performance, choosing the right fluids for your farm equipment is not just a maintenance decision—it’s a strategic investment.
At RangeLine Group, we understand the critical role that fuel, anti-freeze, grease, lubricant, and oil play in enhancing your equipment’s performance. As a trusted provider of farm equipment and maintenance parts, we offer a comprehensive range of top-tier fluids.
Click here to shop our collection of fluids and other shop supplies:
