IFH Groups new mobile lubrication system stores and dispenses engine oils, hydraulic and transmission fluids, cutting oils and other lubricants. Ideal for plants that must maintain lubes at multiple locations over large areas, the palletized system can be placed by forklift in the bed of a heavy-duty pickup for go-anywhere mobility. It includes two 50-gallon and two 25-gallon steel containers with PVC sight gauges. Dedicated air-operated piston pumps deliver fluid from one, two or all four containers at once, as filters remove dirt and small particles. Dispensing is via retractable hose reels, with metered control handles. Theres even space for handy storage of tools, greases, rags and other items needed in the field. Web: www.ifhgroup.com

A Win-Wind Situation

The KFG centralized lubrication pump unit, a part of SKFs WindLub centralized lubrication systems, was designed with the demanding requirements of the wind industry in mind. Use this piston pump unit to decrease maintenance and improve performance in the rotating parts of wind energy turbines. Its reinforced grease reservoir is fed from above so grease is used as it is fed – preventing older grease from remaining behind and clumping. The reservoir is available in a variety of sizes to accommodate a range of lubrication circuits. Grease delivery rates are maintained by positively driven pistons. Use at temperatures down to -30 degrees C. Web: www.skf.com/lubrication

Lube Learning

Advance your lubrication knowledge at Lubrication Engineers Level I Machinery Lubrication Technician three-day training program, June 7-9 or Oct. 18-20 in Wichita, Kans. Engineers, managers and technicians will learn how lubrication practices affect reliability of motor bearings, compressors, gearboxes, fans, hydraulic systems, paper machines, rolling mills, and other equipment. Topics include lubrication and machine management, performance properties, the science of precision lubes, lube selection and application, oil analysis and more – all taught in a new state-of-the-art training facility and with demos at LEs adjacent plant. Cost is $999, and classes are conducted by noted expert Michael Johnson of Advanced Machine Reliability Resources. Web: www.le-inc.com

Weather No Worry

ConocoPhillips offers new PowerDrive Synthetic All Season TO-4 multipurpose fluid, for use where Allison C-4, Caterpillar TO-4, or ZF TEML 03C oils are required. Its polyalphaolefin base stocks enhance startability in cold weather, increase thermal stability and lengthen oil life in harsh operating conditions, says the company. Additives reduce deposits, increase load-carrying capacity, protect yellow metals, fight corrosion and rust, and maintain frictional properties. Use the SAE 5W-30 fluid year-round in final drives, hydraulic systems and transmissions of off-highway equipment, heavy-duty powershift and hydrostatic transmissions, and mine equipment torque converters. Web: www.conocophillipslubricants.com

Additive for Landfill Engine Oil

Chevron Oronite has unveiled OLOA 46600, its newest natural gas engine oil additive, designed especially for engines burning the corrosive, low-methane, high-moisture gases found in biomass, digester gas and landfill operations. Using OLOA 46600 can extend drain intervals up to 50 percent, prevent premature engine wear and lower deposit levels in combustion chambers and pistons, says the company. In a one-year field test, representative pistons from a landfill-gas engine operating with typical current technologies were compared to OLOA 46600, in back-to back testing in the same engine and same cylinder. The OLOA technology demonstrated greatly reduced levels of deposits on piston lands and grooves, which leads to reduced operating costs and extended maintenance intervals. Web: www.oronitegoes.com

Test Centrifuge Upgraded

Koehler has redesigned its Heated Oil Test Centrifuge, adding improvements that include an easy-to-use LCD touch screen control panel, nitrogen purging feature, safety lockout and motor speed mechanism that calculates RPM based on user-defined settings and rotor parameters. Operators can specify short, long, pear or finger tube glassware and rotor assembly types, and control the rotation speed, heat and test duration directly from the screen. The large top-opening lid offers easy access and features an 18.5-inch window. Built per Class 1, Division 2 explosion resistant ratings, it meets a variety of standard testing method requirements set forth by the International Organization for Standards, the American Petroleum Institute and the American Society for Testing and Materials. Web: www. koehlerinstrument.com

Back to Basics

The third edition of STLEs Basic Handbook of Lubrication is available now. This 360-page publication includes contributions from 25 expert authors and covers over 30 topics related to lubricants: additives, analysis, base oils, cleaners, greases, filtration, hydraulics, machinery, monitoring, oil selection, purchasing and storage, testing, wear, health and environmental factors and many more. Industry novices and experts alike will find it useful. Choose either the perfect-bound format featuring a labeled spine for quick visual identification on a bookshelf, or the spiral-bound version that lays flat for easy, hands-free note-taking. Cost is $125 for members, $159 for non-members. Web: www.stle.org

2PAQ to the Rescue

2PAQ dual-component fluid from Quaker Chemical reduces waste and downtime in grinding and machining operations. Use it for machining aluminum alloys, cast iron and steel. When added to water, 2PAQs alkaline phase replaces semi-synthetic, synthetic, emulsions and micro-emulsions. Use it as a process cleaner and, upon saturation, add it to the coolant tank for volume control. The technologys oil phase, used in combination with the alkaline phase, creates an enhanced lubricity micro-emulsion. It can eliminate foaming issues, biocide use and fluid and disposal costs while improving efficiency and workers safety, says the maker. Testing in a braking system subcontractors large central system did all this, and resulted in over $73,000 in fluid-related savings, notes Quaker. Web: www.quakerchem.com

Achieve Homogenous Mixtures

Need to produce truly homogenous mixtures with assured purity? The Bematek laboratory pilot in-line multi-component mixing system blends multiple fluid streams into homogenous emulsions and dispersions down to one micron, with plus-or-minus 1 percent repeatability, and handles viscous materials upwards from 1 centipoise. Without bypass, the rotor-stator technology exposes the entirety of the mixed product to the same shear action. The wet-mix process system is fully scalable and meets 3A Sanitary Standards, Federal Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Priced from $24,995 based on configuration. Web: www.bematek.com

All Aboard with Castrol BioStat

Passenger ship manager International Shipping Partners has chosen Castrol BioStat stern tube lubricants for a number of its vessels, aiming to reduce environmental impact while minimizing downtime and protecting gear components and bearings. BioStat lubricants are biodegradable, renewable, have reduced toxicity and meet the OSPAR Commissions criteria for the assessment of bioaccumulation potential. ISP now uses the Castrol BioStat range of lubricant grades in its Clipper Adventure, Clipper Odyssey, Corinthian II, Gemini, Quest, and Ocean Nova vessels. The lube was designed to allow continued operation, even in conditions with up to 20 percent water contamination. Web: www.castrol .com

Dry-Run Seals = Cleaner Mixing

Where cleanability is essential – as in blending lubes for food and pharma applications – Sharpe Mixers RD dry-running mechanical seals prevent barrier fluids from contaminating product in agitators, mixers and reactors. They are BPE complaint, meet ASME-BPE 2009 cleanability standards and components are either rated USP Class VI or are FDA approved. Drainage is allowed by sloped internal surfaces, even in debris well flush ports. They can handle 0.15-inch total run-out and are made of a carbon blend that the company says produces virtually no face squeal. All internal metallic parts exposed to product have a 20 Ra finished surface, with optional debris wall and electro-polishing available. Web: www.sharpemixers.com

Less Power, More Movement

Move medium to heavy loads with the zoned accumulation conveyor from TKF. The low-profile system features roll-to-roll chain-driven live rollers and accessible side-frame-mounted clutch assemblies for easy maintenance. A single unit powers the entire conveyor, requiring less power than multi-drive systems. Zone lengths can be designed to match product length. Electric photo-eyes and solenoid sensors control the air-operated clutches driving each accumulation zone. Rollers six inches off the ground allow conveyance of pallets and heavy loads up to 6,000 pounds. Rollers up to 60 inches wide are available with 1.9-, 2.5- and 3.5-inch diameters. Sensor rollers are available, too. Web: www.tkf.com

Hydraulics Standard Updated

Are you pumping liquids more viscous than water? The Hydraulic Institutes reliable, widely accepted standard on viscosity correction, Effects of Liquid Viscosity on Rotodynamic Pump Performance (ANSI/HI 9.6.7-2010), has been updated. The standard is applicable to Newtonian liquids with kinematic viscosity from 1 to 4,000 centiStokes, in single and multistage centrifugal and vertical pumps. It offers improved results, more accurate figures and is easier to read than the 2004 version. Also new: Refined mathematics eliminate the potential error due to interpolation with correction curves and nemographs used in the previous edition. Available in print and digital formats. Web: www.eStore.Pumps.org

Need to Blend Powders?

Powders can be tricky to add in batch or continuous blending operations. To help, Brookfield Engineering has an informative six-minute web video showing how its Powder Flow Tester uses shear cell testing to predict flow behavior in gravity-fed hoppers. See depictions of mass and core flow patterns and flow impediments such as rat-hole formation and arching. Discover how this testing method predicts problems compared to flow cup or angle-of-repose testing. Discover how quick and easy it is to use the Powder Flow Tester for R&D, quality control and raw ingredient inspection. Its helpful for chemical engineers, formulators and equipment manufacturers. Web: www.brookfield engineering.com

Heres looking at you, leaks!

The latest addition to Spectronics series of multipurpose borescopes, the CB-400 Cobra-4 features a dual-head flashlight with a blue LED to detect fluorescent leaks, and a white LED for internal component inspection. The 36-inch long, 4-millimeter shaft allows access to tight spaces. Clip on the angled inspection mirror to detect hidden flaws. The flashlight attaches quickly via a press-fit coupler and is powered by three included triple-A batteries. Comes with fluorescence-enhancing glasses. All parts are stored securely within the foam insert inside a protective plastic carrying case. Web: www.spectroline.com