ExxonMobil and its authorised distributor of mobil lubricants for South Africa Centlube have successfully completed an optimum oil drain interval (ODI) study for Stefanutti Stocks construction company
The objective of the study was to increase the oil drain intervals on Stefanutti Stocks’ fleet of Komatsu HD 465 rigid dump trucks and therefore decrease operational costs, reduce their environmental footprint and expand their productivity on sites.
The major approach to the Stefanutti business was to identify crucial suffering points in their operations. This was achieved through a comprehensive lubricants survey performed across vital areas. The aim of the assessment was to identify the critical areas in their business where lubricant products and services support would improve the operational efficiencies where it really mattered in the Stefanutti Stocks business.
The ODI study was conducted over three months and followed a performance-monitoring protocol, provided by ExxonMobil. A major focus was to assess the performance of Mobil Delvac MX 15W-40 as preferred engine oil for Stefanutti Stocks’ mixed fleet, in place of the competitor engine oil.
“We conducted regular used-oil analyses, and carefully monitored the test vehicles’ performance during the ODI study, and were able to increase the oil drainage intervals from 250 to 1000 operating hours,” said Colin Henneberry, lubrication field engineer for ExxonMobil South Africa.
“We are confident in recommending the oil used in the study, Mobil Delvac MX 15W-40, to Stefanutti Stocks. It provides high thermal and oxidation stability, which results in reduced sludge buildup and deposit formation, as well as increased viscosity,” Henneberry added.
Sixteen of Stefanutti Stocks’ HD465 fleet are now using the new Mobil lubricant. “Based on our assessments during the field test, our conservative estimate is that this particular fleet will work an additional 5.95 per cent (or 44 hours) on the Mobil Delvac MX 15W-40,” added Jerome Christian, engineering manager for construction and mining business unit at Stefanutti Stocks.
Christian concluded that the company is looking forward to exploring new solutions with the teams at ExxonMobil in South Africa.
