Monitoring of Agricultural Machines with Used Engine Oil Analysis

Abstract

Predictive maintenance has gained wide acceptance as a cost cutting strategy and improve maintenance in modern industry. Condition monitoring by lubricant analysis is one of the basic tools of a predictive maintenance program along with vibration monitoring, performance monitoring and thermography. In many cases, it enables identifi cation of a potential problem before a major repair is necessary and downtime during critical operations can be avoided. In this paper we analyzed the used motor oil and its remaining resource in agricultural machines.

Analysis of Degradation of Motor Oils Used in ZETOR Tractors

“…This shows that the friction and lubricating conditions of tractor motors exposed to harsh everyday operation during agricultural work were unfavourable and the extension of oil change interval as required by the Zetor manufacturer is undesirable. Bekana et al (2015) who tested motor oils collected after 250 Mth from relatively new tractors came to a conclusion that the recommended change interval is not adequate for a good condition of the evaluated used oils. Following the data introduced above the authors of this paper share the same opinion stating that it is necessary to optimize the period of changing motor oils used in agricultural vehicles depending on their specific working conditions.…”

“…a motor design, the content of sulphur in fuel, and load on a motor (velocity, machine load, etc.). (Bekana et al, 2015).…”

“…One of the most important factors affecting the motor oil change interval in farm machines is the engine case volume -motor performance ratio. (Bekana et al, 2015).…”

“…Monitoring of motor oils taken from tractors was performed also by Bekana et al (2015). Based on analyses they came to a conclusion that a recommended oil change interval of 250 motor-hours is not determined properly because the tractors were in a good condition and a high reliability of the engine was ensured.…”

Definition of a Motor Oil Change Interval for High-Volume Diesel Engines Based on its Current Characteristics Assessment

“…Based on application of modern tribodiagnostics methods Kučera et al (2013), Bekana et al (2015), Kosiba et al (2013) and Tulík et al (2013) evaluated biolubricants that are used in agriculture and transport machinery. Tippayawong and Sooksarn (2010) have assessed the degradation of lubricating oil used in a small motorcycle engine fuelled with gasohol.…”