S.O.S. Fluid Analysis

Scheduled Oil Sampling Fluid Analysis

Proper fluid maintenance is imperative to keep machines and engines operating at peak performance. The key to success of the S•O•S Services is early detection. By monitoring your equipment throughout its lifecycle you are able to identify problems before they grow into major repairs thereby optimizing performance, maximizing productivity, protecting valuable equipment, reducing operating costs and increasing resale values.

Using sophisticated analytical technology, experienced technicians perform testing on oil, coolant and fuel samples that have been taken at regularly scheduled intervals. Experts provide you with easy-to-understand, clear, concise and timely reports reflecting careful interpretations and recommendations. We are also available to answer any questions as well as discuss report specifics.

We will help you develop a plan uniquely suited to your operation, taking into consideration the various models of equipment that you operate, the kind of work you do and your current maintenance practices.

S•O•S Services is one of the most important maintenance support programs available.

Here's why:
Detects problems early, so they can be repaired before they become major failures.

Helps you schedule downtime to fit your workload.

Monitors positives as well as negatives, so that you won't have to pay for repair of components that are not worn out.

Allows you to monitor maintenance schedules to verify that routine maintenance has been performed.

Enables you to better manage budgets by predicting repairs, downtime and equipment life.

Helps you develop a complete service history for each machine. This proves invaluable when evaluating performance and planning replacement purchases.

Documents service history for a higher price at trade-in or sale.
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For more information on S•O•S Services Web please contact:
Keith Wafer
Service Administration Supervisor
KeithW@jariggs.com 501-570-3569
or
Chris Wallis
e-Business Representative
ChrisW@jariggs.com 501-570-3443

Clean Up Your Act - Eight Ways to Control Fuel System Contamination

For release in United States/Canada, October 2007

Fuel system contamination can cause serious problems in any diesel engine. But today’s high-performance, low-emissions models – with their high injection pressures and extremely tight tolerances – are especially vulnerable to contaminants. Microscopic particles suspended in your fuel can be particularly damaging to injectors and control valves. As these critical components wear prematurely, engine power drops off, fuel consumption rises, emissions increase and the odds of a costly breakdown go up dramatically. It’s obviously in your best interests to control fuel system contamination. Here are eight things you can do to clean up your act:

Know the numbers. Contaminants are measured in units called microns. One micron is equivalent to one-millionth of a meter. A grain of salt is about 100 microns in diameter, a human hair, around 80. We can’t see particles smaller than 40 microns, yet a 5-micron particle can damage your fuel system. Most fuel filters are designed to trap particles ranging in size from 4 to 15 microns. For maximum protection, select a filter that’s effective against an absolute rating of 4-micron and larger particles.


Beware of ambiguous micron ratings. Some filter manufacturers give their products “nominal” and “absolute” micron ratings. These ratings are normally based on a laboratory analysis called the multipass test. In multipass testing, a concentrated stream of artificial contaminants is added to an oil sample that flows through a testing unit at a constant rate. The oil moves through a filter, which is progressively loaded until a specified pressure drop is reached. During the test, particles entering and exiting the filter are sized and counted. Then two metrics – called “Beta Ratios” – are calculated. The first Beta Ratio compares the number of particles 5 microns and larger upstream of the filter, versus the number downstream. The second compares particles 15 microns and larger. Some manufacturers use these ratios to define their products’ so-called nominal and absolute ratings.

The truth is, ratings based on multipass test data aren’t very meaningful. That’s because the test, though useful for product development, is not an ideal performance evaluation tool. It uses oil instead of fuel. It doesn’t simulate real-world conditions such as vibration and fuel pump pulsation. And it reports average filter efficiency, downplaying the impact that even a few contaminants can have on fuel system components. Given the limitations of multipass testing, it’s a mistake to place too much emphasis on micron ratings. In fact, the term “micron rating” has no official standing within the major industry technical groups like the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) or the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA. So when comparing filters, don’t be misled by the rating system. Focus instead on product features, structural integrity and consistency of quality.


Find out about the wear index. A better filter testing process called wear indexing was developed several years ago by an independent testing company at the request of a filter industry consortium. Wear indexing uses low sulfur fuel as a test fluid. It also incorporates vibration and pulsation into the analysis, so it provides results that are more meaningful and credible than those obtained through multipass testing. A filter’s wear index is based on a correlation between the amount of physical damage observed on the injectors and the number of 6-, 10- and 14-micron particles present in the fuel. A filter with a higher wear index provides less protection than one with a lower number. Independent researchers have tested a variety of filtration products to measure their wear indices. Results vary widely from a low of .04 to a high of more than 80. Ask your supplier if the filters you are using have been wear-index tested. Then determine if a lower-wear-index product is available to extend injector life, improve fuel economy and reduced emissions.


Invest in premium quality filtration products. There are dozens of fuel filters on the market today – available in a variety of price ranges. Although most of them are similar in appearance, there are major differences between brands. Take the time to compare filters on a feature-by-feature basis. Look for one with high-efficiency media, excellent pleat stability and spacing, a minimum amount of metallic components, exceptional sealing capabilities and overall structural integrity. Your water separator, like your fuel filter, should be designed for durability, as well as highly efficient water removal. In short, judge your filtration products on the basis of field performance, quality and consistency. And when it’s time to buy, don’t waste money on low-cost alternatives. Invest in the best, and you’ll extend injector life, improve fuel system performance and reduce your total costs.


Buy fuel from a reliable supplier. Fuel quality and cleanliness vary from one supplier to the next, so make sure you’re buying from someone you trust. Ask your supplier to test your fuel on a regular basis and confirm its cleanliness and quality.


Manage fuel storage and transfer. Without proper storage and handling procedures, even the cleanest fuel can become contaminated. To keep sediment, dirt and other contaminants out of your fuel supply, periodically drain and flush all storage containers, including tanker trucks and stationary tanks. Make sure storage and machine fuel tanks are properly vented with breathers that keep 4-micron and larger particles out. Keep all fuel nozzles, hoses and other equipment clean. Maintain the hoses, gaskets and seals in your fuel storage and transfer equipment. Use line filters on all fuel transfer equipment, and never transfer fuel with buckets, funnels or other open containers. Bottom line … the way you store and handle fuel has a major impact on its cleanliness. Be sure your procedures are attacking – not generating – contaminants.


Involve operators. Operators play a key role in reducing fuel system contamination. At the start of each shift, they should perform a quick visual inspection. Any leaky lines should be repaired immediately. The fuel cap should be checked to ensure it’s properly installed and sealing effectively. If the gasket around the cap is damaged, it should be replaced immediately. Prior to machine start-up, it’s also important to confirm that fuel tank vent tubes are open and functioning correctly. During operation, a machine should never be run to the point where the fuel tank is completely empty. Doing so can draw sediment from the bottom of the tank into the fuel system. If the operator experiences hard starting (especially when warm), excessive smoke or any unexplained loss of power, maintenance or service technicians should be notified immediately. Fighting contamination is everyone’s responsibility. Be sure your operators understand the critical role they play in improving fuel system cleanliness.


Train technicians. Contaminants often invade an engine while it’s being serviced. To minimize service-related contamination, technicians should be taught to use proper maintenance and repair processes.

During filter changes, remove filters carefully so dirt and debris from the engine compartment doesn’t get into any openings. Keep new filters in their original packaging until they’re installed. And don’t pre-fill them prior to installation. Doing so allows some fuel to bypass the filter altogether.

For other types of engine service, use a high-pressure wash to blast mud, dust and other grime off the engine before opening it for repairs. Cap or plug all openings. Clean reusable parts with solvents and proper cleaning and drying processes. Never place components on the ground, and keep all new parts in their packages until needed. Don’t reuse seals – replace them. Be sure to inspect fuel line connections from the tank to the pump. And maintain a regular schedule for draining machine fuel tanks – weekly for severely dusty conditions and every three months for normal applications.
Contaminated fuel robs your engine of power. It reduces fuel efficiency, increases emissions, shortens component life and paves the way for engine failure. You can minimize the effects of dirty fuel by choosing high-quality filtration products and using proper storage, handling, maintenance and service processes. It pays to fight back against contamination. So clean up your act, and bring home the benefits: better performance, longer life, lower operating costs and a higher return on your engine investment.