Engine oil analysis - effective instrument to evaluate the reliability of tractors engines

Abstract

The economy of operation of agricultural machinery depends on its technical condition. In the case of damage to machinery that is associated with leakage of lubricants, there is contamination of the soil, water and also contamination of the food chain. The engine oil analysis is one of the effective methods to determine the optimum exchange intervals of oil, to monitor the technical conditions of machinery individual components and to predict equipment failure. The paper presents and compares the results of the experimental evaluation of degradation after the engine oil has exceeded the exchange interval recommended by the manufacturer for the specially-developed lubricant TORQ-GARD used in tractors by the manufacturer John Deere. The lubricant degradation was evaluated by FTIR spectrometry and viscosity assay. The engine wear process was evaluated by non-disassembly diagnosis based on the analysis of the wear particles in the lubricant. Although John Deere tractors were exposed to high loads during many agricultural works, no negative changes of the parameters of the used lubricant or increased wear of the engine occurred. The combination of FTIR spectrometry, monitoring of viscosity and ferrography proved that the specially developed TORQ-GARD oil satisfies the high-performance demands on the engine needs, as declared by its producer; therefore, it is suitable for the demanding operational conditions in agriculture.