Have you heard the story that when a grain of sand gets stuck inside an oyster, it turns into a pearl? The process isn’t as glamorous or as simple as it sounds.

Turns out the oyster recognizes the grain of sand as an irritant. To get rid of it, the oyster coats the grain of sand in layers of a natural fluid coating called ‘nacre’ to stop the irritation, and eventually, a pearl forms. This little lesson shows us that lubricants are even needed underwater.

Particle contamination is a true problem for any business that runs equipment. Microscopic dirt, particles and chemicals can get into oils, fluids and other materials and ruin the equipment.

Unlike an oyster, a piece of machinery can’t naturally produce a fluid to get rid of the offending irritant. It’s up to the operator to choose appropriate lubricants and fluids to keep equipment clean and as particle-free as possible.

Proactive maintenance is the theory of preventing breakdowns by extending the life of machinery. This can be accomplished, in part, by reducing contamination in fluids and materials that will eventually lead to mechanical failures. If you can catch the particle and containment’s in the fluids before it used on the equipment, you can avoid potential breakdowns.

Particle contamination can cost your business more money than you think. According to Caterpillar, “dirt and contamination are by far the number one cause of hydraulic system failures.” Oklahoma State University found that “when fluid is maintained ten times cleaner, hydraulic pump life can be extended by up to 50 times.”

Hydraulic systems aren’t the only pieces of equipment that are prone to the dangers of particle contamination. Nearly every type of equipment can be slowed down or suffer a breakdown because of small containments. It’s the reason that lubricant fluid is needed.

To help prevent this problem, Chevron established the ISOCLEAN® program. This program ensures that the lubricant products meet OEM ISO cleanliness standards. The ISO code is an international standard of cleanliness based on automatic particle counting determined by oil analysis. If the analysis of your fluids does not meet the recommended levels of the code, you know they are no good. Chevron’s program ensures that its lubricant products meet these standards from the very beginning. By choosing ISOCLEAN® products, you can be sure that your lubricants and fluids meet ISO code and are clean enough to use in your equipment.

Three new Chevron products were recently ISOCLEAN® certified, Meropa EliteSyn™ XM 150, 220, 320. These high-performance synthetic gear oils offer many benefits, including:

  • ISOCLEAN® certified cleanliness
  • Reduced operating temperatures
  • Long lubricant life
  • Wide temperature range for use in fluctuating temperatures
  • Micro pitting resistance for increased wear protection and reduced maintenance

Equipment breakdowns can cause your business time and money. Start with the right lubrication products, like Chevron ISOCLEAN™ lubricants, and you will know that you are using superior lubricant products that are already certified clean. The more proactive you are regarding particle contamination, the easier it is to avoid breakdowns and maintenance costs. We can recommend Chevron products for your equipment that will help cut down on your maintenance costs and deliver the value you want.

Choosing the right products is just one part of the equation. You have to ensure that your fuel, fluids and lubricants stay clean. The best way to do this is by investing in an oil analysis program. We offer this service to our customers. Periodic testing of your oil products can help you stay on top of the particle count in your fluids and locate any sources of potential contamination before you add the products to your equipment. Our oil analysis program can help you save money on your overall maintenance costs and help your business establish a standard of fluid cleanliness to prevent future problems. Ask our team about signing up today.

It would be great if your heavy equipment could turn microscopic particles into pearls, but it’s not going to happen. You need the right lubricants and fluids to prevent tiny, unseen contaminants from grinding your equipment to a halt. Choose superior Chevron products, like their new gear oils. The ISOCLEAN™ certification is how you know the products are as clean as possible, and ready to use. It’s an investment that can prolong the life of your equipment and keep your business competitive.