Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Journal of the Department of Agriculture,

Western Australia, Series 4 Western Australia, Series 4

Volume 20 Number 4 1979 Article 7

1-1-1979

Simplifying lubricants for farm machinery Simplifying lubricants for farm machinery

R A. Platt

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Recommended Citation Recommended Citation Platt, R A. (1979) "Simplifying lubricants for farm machinery," Journal of the Department of Agriculture,

Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 20 : No. 4 , Article 7. Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol20/iss4/7

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Simplifying lubricants for farm machinery

By R.A. Piatt*

With the rapid development in farm machinery and its attendant sophistications, the stresses imposed on the lubricants have also increased. In the "good old days", a tractor with an uncomplicated transmission had perhaps a lubricant inventory of SAE 40 engine oil, which could in most cases serve as transmission oil, and a stringy grease for bearings which could also be used for ploughs and harvesters. As tillage and harvesting equipment improved engine outputs and power trains became more sophisticated, high pressure hydraulics have been included, and many manufacturers have adopted wet (oil immersed) brakes. This has resulted in a need for many special lubricants. However, the oil industry is ever conscious of the need for simplication. One of the first post-war advances was multi-purpose grease, a development of World War II aircraft lubricant technology. It replaced those for chassis arid general lubrication, electric motor and other anti-friction bearings, universal joints, wheel bearings and water pumps.

In the early 1960s Tractor Oil Universal (T.O.U.) became available. This was essentially a multigrade engine oil of SAE20W/40 or 20W/50 viscosity and meeting U.S. Military Specification MIL-L-2104B with

enough zinc dithiophosphate to satisfy mild extreme-pressure power train requirements. This was suitable for most engines (except those calling for MIL-L-2104C performance levels, not then a common requirement on the farm); for transmissions requiring engine or straight mineral gear oils SAE 80 or 90; and most hydraulic applications. However, when such lubricants were used in the oil-immersed brakes, they could not prevent "squawk". During the 1970s multi-purpose oils suitable for transmission and hydraulic systems were introduced.

Research, mostly in Europe had also begun, aimed at producing a "new generation" of universal tractor lubricant. It was required to provide acceptable "anti-squawk" performance in wet brakes, and meet a wider range of requirements in naturally aspirated and turbo-charged diesel engines as well as petrol engines. It also was hoped to meet the hydraulic requirements of most equipment. The first such oils were introduced into the European market in 1971 under the designation STOU (Super Tractor Oil Universal) and although initially it was a compromise, it was a good start. The term, STOU, has since become an accepted term for lubricants which can be used in essentially all systems on farm tractors and associated equipment. Interest in the STOU concept has now developed strongly in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Perhaps surprisingly there has been little interest in the large United States market. The STOU's now available in Australia:

• Meet engine oil specifications API — SE/CD and therefore can be used in most farm petrol or diesel engines. • They meet gear oil specifications API — GL1, GL3 and GL4, and replace straight mineral and moderate EP gear and transmission lubricants. Also they are suitable for most hydraulics, transmissions, final drives, and wet brakes.

Whilst not meeting every detail of the various manufacturers specifications, STOU's will provide very satisfactory performance where oils to the following specifications are recommended: Allis-Chalmers — Power Fluid 821 Case —JIC 185 John Deere — J20A, J14B Ford — M2C85A, M2C86A,

M2C134A Massey Ferguson — M-l 135,

M l 139 International Harvester —B-6 Allison — Type C2, C3 Vickers — Hydraulics anti-wear Development will not stop here as the oil industry will be co-operating with farm equipment manufacturers to ensure the lubricants required will meet the demands of new generation tractors and implements.

•R.A. Piatt Manager, Technical Sales and Service Golden Fleece Perth

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Journal of Agriculture Vol 20 No 4 1979