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Maintenance
Maintenance: “the key to a cost-effective farming operation”
It comes as no surprise that the current pandemic has put a strain on the production and development of many companies throughout the country. The USDA estimates that production expenses in the farming industry will increase 2.5% for 2021; and added to that is the pressure of making smart investment choices to maintain a steady revenue stream. The focus, therefore, should be in the details; the small changes that can significantly and positively impact the farming process and generate the least loss. In this regard, maintenance and proper care of machinery should be considered a cornerstone.
Farming equipment is not cheap, and different heavy-duty machinery is required depending on the work. A new tractor can cost, on average, between $300,000 and $750,000. On top of that, one must consider at least 5% more to account for annual repairs, any additional associated operating costs, and another 10% annually for the ownership costs such as taxes, insurance, and housing. This is all for a single piece of machinery, which can have an economic life of 15 to 20 years if tended properly. Plows, seeders, irrigation systems, and harrows will all add to that annual cost of production.
Proper maintenance becomes fundamental not only to keep your equipment in shape—which will ensure daily, steady production—but also to avoid damages due to wear and tear, work-related accidents, and extra expenses such as paying for new parts and repair-avoidable malfunctions. Taking good care of your machines will not only impact your business, but it will also ensure less depreciation of value on the equipment.
The role of lubricants
Lubricants must fulfill a series of requirements in order to ensure the proper functioning of the machinery and respond to the harsh conditions in which the different elements of the engine work. These functions are vital to reducing energy consumption and improving engine performance, together with protecting mechanical elements against wear and corrosion, keeping mechanisms clean, and maintaining temperature by evacuating the heat generated in the engine. Having the right lubricant in accordance with the needs of your machinery is crucial for its correct performance and to ensure its longevity.
There are multiple types of engines out in the market, so you can’t just choose any lubricant, as they are not all suitable. Finding the right one for your equipment is vital and, as a result, oil manufacturers must work to develop quality products that meet the standards of each OEM. It is also important to understand the API and SAE classifications, which indicate the degree of demand and viscosity of the lubricant, respectively.
We must remember that oils and lubricants are not miracle workers. An underlying technical problem will not be fixed solely by using better-quality products; however, finding the right one for your engines and parts will help avoid certain concerns and expenses. Low-quality products, though cheaper, can result in overheating, oxidation, and sludge buildup, among other issues, which will, in turn, further damage your machinery.
The chemicals present in low-quality formulas might be diluted or mixed with recycled or virgin-based oils to reduce production costs, and they can be highly contaminating.
A low-performance oil will probably require you to change it more often; this means another expense sooner rather than later. In the long run, a cheaper band-aid type solution will become an expensive headache.
Our alternative
VISCOSITY Oil offers a wide range of premium oils and lubricants aimed to extend the economic life of your equipment. We work with the highest standards regarding testing and formulation for both our formulation processes and products, centralized under our Quality Management System (QMS) Policy and HSE Policies, ensuring their effectiveness. Our emphasis in agricultural solutions and innovation has placed us as a reliable choice, providing our customers with high-performance, safe, and money-saving products, developed to protect your equipment from damages such as corrosion, cold, mechanical stress, and wear.
Visit our Products section and learn more about all the alternatives we have for you!
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