Possibility of Hydraulic Fluids With a Low Environmental Impact Application in Agriculture and Transport Machinery

Abstract

Agricultural and transport equipment is ideally suited to use hydraulic oils. After engine oils, hydraulic fluids are the second most important group of lubricants. More than 85 % of these materials are currently mineral oil-based. In view of their high ecotoxicity and low biodegradability, mineral oil-based lubricants constitute a considerable threat to the environment. In contrast, most hydraulic fluids based on plant oils have a low environmental impact and are completely biodegradable. Moreover, lubricants based on plant oils display excellent tribological properties and generally have very high viscosity indices and flash points. For this reason, therefore, particularly soybean, sunflower and rapeseed seem to possess the relevant properties as a potential hydraulic fluid. There are several tribotechnical methods how to assess the current technical state of used lubricants (viscosity, water content, flash point, acidity). One of the modern methods how to detect wear particles is LaserNet Fines, which is a suitable technique for machine condition monitoring. The ageing of test oils is analysed by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR); for determining anti-wear properties of hydraulic oils, the standard STN EN ISO 20623:2004 indicates 1 hour under an applied load of 150 N. The objective of the paper is to show the description and examples of modern tribotechnical methods used for determination of the technical state of used biolubricants utilized in agriculture and transport machinery.

Analysis of Degradation of Motor Oils Used in ZETOR Tractors

“…Based on application of modern tribodiagnostics methods (FTIR spectrometry and particles counter LaserNet Fines), Kučera et al (2013) evaluated biolubricants that are used in agriculture and transport machinery. Along with the techniques introduced above the sensors used for evaluating the oil state are applied too (Capone et al, 2008;Jakoby, 2003;Latif et al, 2011;Wang, 2001).…”

Research of Biodegradable Fluid Impacts on Operation of Tractor Hydraulic System

“…Tribotechnical diagnostics use oils as a media that helps to obtain information on processes and changes in the systems they lubricate. If tribodiagnostics is applied properly and thoroughly, it results in significant savings in many areasthey contribute to: an increase of the lifetime of machines and devices; a decrease of energy consumption; limiting of the idle time (Kučera et al, 2013;Haas et al, 2016). The operational test for hydraulic oil was concluded after completion of 500 engine hours.…”

Design and Modeling of an Experimental Hydraulic Device

“…Today's technology of high performance hydraulic power systems is closely connected with the high development level of hydraulic fluids. (Kučera et al, 2013). A good hydraulic fluid should have the following characteristics: power transmission with a minimum loss, lubrication of surfaces moving against each other and corrosion protection of metal surfaces (Mendoza et al, 2011).…”