Motor Oil Info

Hydraulic fluid leaks and spills are potentially toxic problems, with standard hydraulic fluids posing greatly increased risk of ground water and aquatic environment contamination. Because long-term exposure to these fluids can be detrimental to plant, animal and human health, many companies opt to use environmentally-friendly fluids and lubricants while working in or around at-risk areas. With environmental protection awareness and regulatory oversight on the rise, this special market segment is expected to continue growing each year.

New AMSOIL Biodegradable Hydraulic Oil (BHO) is an ISO VG 46, bio-based, anti-wear fluid designed to provide premium hydraulic fluid performance for demanding applications, while also effectively addressing biodegradability and low toxicity requirements. Its blend of high oleic oils, synthetic esters and customized additives not only protects hydraulic components against wear, but also protects the environment in the case of leakage or spills.

AGGRAND Natural Fertilizers increased nitrogen levels in the soil result in increased soil microbial populations and increased nutrient uptake in crops for healthier, more resilient plants. Proper sulfur levels provide high levels of protein in seed crops, forages and legumes, producing crops we prefer. Beneficial micro-organisms produce plant growth stimulants and can produce digestive enzymes that attack and kill undersirable fungal pathogens, resulting in larger, healthier plants.

Potassium enables efficient use of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, regulates plant tissues and fluids and is a prime requirement in chlorophyll construction, resulting in more of the large, nutrient-rich plant.

Phosphorus is important in flower, seed and fruit development, essential for vigorous growth of plant reproductive parts and facilitates efficient energy storage and transfer. That means plants produce more seeds and fruit, providing more for us to eat and allowing plants to re-seed themselves for better established stands of vegetation.

Proper soil care is the root of sustainable agriculture. Chemical fertilization ignores the soil and feeds the plants themselves. Water-soluble nutrients are delivered plant-ready and are expended quickly, resulting in the need for additional fertilizer applications. Nutrients not immediately used by plants leech into groundwater, causing nitrification of drinking water. They can also runoff into waterways, causing algae blooms that result in hypoxic dead zones that can’t support aquatic life.

In addition, chemical fertilizers that are high in salt are toxic to soil biology. Reduction of soil biology leads to compaction of soil and increased susceptibility to erosion. AGGRAND Natural Fertilizer feeds the natural soil biology. Often referred to as the “livestock of the soil,” this army of soil breaks down the components of AGGRAND Natural Fertilizer into plant-available nutrients. Their steady release ensures nutrients remain in the soil to support growing plants.

AMSOIL Severe Gear, Synthetic Gear Lubes demonstrate superior viscosity index and shear stability properties, and they are better-equipped to protect equipment against the devastating effects of thermal runaway. Severe Gear Synthetic Gear Lubes are blended with superior high (VI) viscosity improvers, shear stable synthetic base oils and an overtreatment of extreme pressure additives that effectively protect high-stress applications against friction, heat and wear.

Keeping equipment in top working order and ensure summer trips aren’t ruined by a broken-down vehicle. Specifically engineered for high-demand applications, including trailer towing, heavy hauling, 4×4 off-road driving, commercial use and racing.

Viscosity is the most important property of a lubricant in its defense against thermal runaway. Viscosity correlates to film thickness and film strength, which keep moving parts from contacting each other and creating increased friction, heat and wear. The higher the viscosity of a lubricant, the greater protection it provides. However, a lubricant which is too thick is detrimental because it consumes more energy and increases fuel consumption.

The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) determines which viscosity grade is optimum for the specific application. Many gear lubes are formulated with additives called viscosity index (VI) improvers. These additives broaden a lubricant’s operating temperature range and are used to ensure multi-grade viscosity performance for hot and cold temperatures.

The extreme pressures and temperatures generated by modern vehicles increase stress on gear lubricants and can lead to a serious condition known as thermal runaway. As temperatures in the differential climb upward, gear lubricants lose viscosity and load carrying capacity. When extreme loads break the lubricant film, metal-to-metal contact occurs, increasing friction and heat. This increased friction and heat, in turn, results in further viscosity loss, which further increases friction and heat.

As heat continues to spiral upward, viscosity continues to spiral downward. Thermal runaway is a vicious cycle that leads to irreparable equipment damage from extreme wear, and ultimately catastrophic gear and bearing failure.

Another summer season is underway, and with summer comes a wide variety of recreational activities such as fishing, boating, jet skiing and ATV and dirt bike riding. Many enthusiasts use trailers to tow their equipment, and in order to avoid any inconvenient and expensive breakdowns, it is crucial to ensure proper maintenance has been performed on the tow vehicle’s drivetrain. Nothing will ruin a weekend quicker than becoming stranded on the side of the road.

Severe duty activities such as towing heavy trailers, hauling heavy loads and off-roading place an increased level of stress on drivetrain components. Modern vehicles such as turbo diesel trucks and vehicles with V-10 engines boast more horsepower and torque than their predecessors, but differential designs have remained virtually unchanged through the years. Differentials today are subjected to severe duty service and encounter more stress and heat than was seen only a few years ago. So a gear lube fluid change is a great idea.

Bloodmeal provides additional nitrogen and organic matter for plant cell and microbial growth, leading to the creation of humus. Sulfate of Potash from the Great Salt Lake in Utah provides more sulfur and potassium for improved fruit and seed quality and better cell-wall and stalk strength.

This results in reduced susceptibility to insect attack, drought and disease. Chelation Agents help plants absorb nutrients and provide an extra source of carbon to help stimulate microbial activity, increasing the effectiveness of the natural fertilizer.

Kelp Extract gathered from the north Atlantic coast helps feed beneficial micro-organisms that produce plant growth stimulants (hormones such as auxins and cytokinins) that result in increased root and shoot growth. These microbes can also produce digestive enzymes that attack and kill undesirable fungal pathogens. In addition, they will compete for space, nutrients and water, leaving less room for bacteria that could potentially harm the plant. This results in plants with fewer diseases and better establishment of seedlings.

When applied to foliage, the kelp in AGGRAND Natural Fertilizer induces a systemic acquired resistance in plants that results in enhanced photosynthesis.