HD Laboratory Services performs fluid testing on machines from various industries, including Mining, Transport, Construction, Agriculture, Aviation, Marine, Energy Power Systems, Manufacturing, Quarrying, Government and Defence.
From the smallest skid steer loader to massive earth moving machines, we analyse samples 24 hours a day, 5 days a week and pride ourselves on our accuracy and turn-around time.
Fluid analysis is a critical tool to assist mining maintenance professionals reduce operational costs and improve equipment availability. With the high costs associated with operating large mining machines, the ability to reduce maintenance costs or better plan major component repair activities is a priority. Analysis of the fluid and debris generated from these machines can provide vital information to determine the condition of your machines. This may result in improved component life, reduced maintenance costs and safer machine operation.
A better understanding of your fleet’s condition should reduce the frequency of costly surprises.
Quarry applications are often extremely prone to significant air borne or water contamination from the nature of the operation. Monitoring your equipment’s condition to ensure external contaminates are not adversely impacting on your component life can save you money.
Fluid analysis has the ability to monitor the components condition for symptoms that may be related to the operation of the machinery or abnormal wear from external contamination. Detecting these problems early and undertaking corrected action can save you significant money. Most people think of oil analysis for mobile equipment, but don’t forget it is very effective for plant such as crushers, screens and conveyor gearboxes.
You need to know your equipment’s condition as the next contract may depend on the reliability of your machines to complete on time. Construction equipment is frequently exposed to severe environmental and working conditions, so regular maintenance is necessary. Taking a preventative approach to maintenance with an effective fluid and condition monitoring program will help to maximise the investment in your equipment, by reducing unexpected failures and costly unscheduled downtime.
Machinery operating in harsh environments are susceptible to abnormal contaminations that will significantly reduce component life. To monitor component condition and ensure effective combat readiness is maintained at all times, fluid analysis can be a powerful tool. Analysis of the lubricating oils and coolants will provide important insight into the condition of the compartment and lubricant. This information may assist in the decision making process for asset deployment, service schedules and maintenance planning.
Shuts-downs and programmed maintenance schedules can often leave little room for ad hoc maintenance processes. Oil and grease analysis are two effective ways to determine the condition of components without internal inspections. The analysis of these fluids provide important information as to the condition of the fluid, contamination that may be in the system and general wear that may be occurring. This information can be critical to assist with maintenance schedules to determine the priority of work.
Oil and coolant analysis for the automotive industry can be likened to testing blood for people. An amazing amount of conditions can be diagnosed by looking at the lab results from your blood. By testing the oil and coolant in your vehicles we can determine that the correct fluid is in service, no abnormal contamination is present, components aren’t experiencing abnormal wear and the service interval is appropriate for the operating conditions.
Some common reasons to use this analysis may be a concern about coolant entering the oil, dust or water getting into the oil after a 4wd trip or simply to determine the on-going condition of your vehicle.
Contamination in hydraulic systems can lead to fluid degradation, reduced power, excessive heat and abnormal wear or component failure. Contaminants can take the form of water, chemical compounds or solid particles. Common symptoms of contamination are sticking valves due to accumulated sludge or silting, corrosion and abnormal wear to lubricated components.
Regular analysis of your hydraulic fluid can ensure you are operating with the correct fluid grade and determine that your hydraulic fluid is free from abnormal contamination.
Regardless of the fleet size, you need to know your vehicles will reliably complete their delivery schedules on time. Your money and reputation is on the line every time your vehicles go on the road. To monitor for abnormal wear, contamination and other conditions that may impact on the reliability of your machines' engines, transmissions and differentials, use the tool that has been proven for more than forty years. Analysis of the oil, coolant and diesel in your vehicle can provide critical information to assist with predicting abnormal conditions requiring attention and scheduling maintenance.
This fluid analysis program can be used in conjunction with any manufacturer or fuel type.
Water ingress and air within refrigeration systems can affect acid levels in the oil and ultimately cause component failure. High temperatures in suction gases, faulty fans, etc. can lead to excessive thermal loads within the system causing the oil to break down.
Wear levels in the system, especially iron increases can highlight when the system is under stress. Testing the Acid levels, moisture content and wear levels will allow for diagnosis of potential faults and allow for remedial action to extend component life
Oil analysis is a technology that monitors wear, contamination and oil service life in a range of compartments. Early detection is the key to reducing downtime and increasing productivity. Using sophisticated analytical technology our trained, experienced technicians can determines if oils and coolants are doing their job protecting your equipment. As a result, performance losses and major repairs can often be avoided.
Maintaining your engines is one of your top priorities. A good place to start is with our Fluid Analysis of oil and coolant. They are the fastest, most accurate and most reliable way to see what’s going on inside your engine. This is an important step towards increased productivity, less serious repairs, less downtime and lower operating costs.
Spend more time focused on production and less on maintenance. Use of the correct lubrication with clean fluids is one of the most significant contributions to problem free operation of your machinery.
Industry estimations suggest 75% of bearing failures are related to lubrication failures. This is typically contamination in the system or use of the wrong lubricant. Analysis of oils and greases provides a cost effective and accurate picture of what is occurring inside your components. This analysis also provides important information about the fluid itself and its advisable service life in your application.
Whether your power generation comes from Steam, Hydroelectric, Gas or Wind, keeping the oil free from contamination and understanding the life span of the fluid is key to maximizing the unit’s life.
Hastings Deering has a suite of testing capability from RPVOT and RULER testing through to Varnish potential and laser particle counting. This testing along with standard tests such as TAN, Karl Fischer ppm water, Viscosity and wear metals will help site engineers stay on top of many possible issues.
If a deeper investigation is required filtergrams, optical microscope and Scanning electron microscope determination will help identify many of the particles and wear debris. The variety of Power Generation tests offered by the Hastings Deering laboratory will give your site the tools to allow even the deepest dives into possible wear and oil condition scenarios.
Oil analysis is a powerful tool to assist with the determination of compartment condition. It can be used on fixed and rotating wing aircraft to determine abnormal conditions in engines, gearboxes, hydraulics and other oil wetted systems. Oil analysis may assist with ensuring the correct fluid is in service, early warning of abnormal wear occurring and other operational factors such as contamination from operating in a dusty environment without adequate filtration on the air induction.
Specialised testing such as debris and filter analysis are also available. Filter media or particles from chip detectors can be assessed using a scanning electron microscope to assess the metallurgical composition. This may assist with determining the origin of the debris within the compartment.
Suggested Articles by CASA and Aviation Safety Magazine.
Agricultural and Forestry equipment may be subjected to long hours of operation and sometimes under extreme conditions in remote or isolated locations. Monitoring your equipments' fluids with oil analysis, coolant analysis and diesel analysis will assist with ensuring your machines continue to operate reliably. These programs will assist with detecting many of the various potential contaminations, ensure service intervals are appropriate for the operating conditions and assist with detecting wear to allow corrective action before potential expensive failures occur.
Confidence is everything when you are at sea. Commercial vessels, work boats, pleasure craft and naval ships all demand reliability of their marine propulsion systems to safely complete their tasks. An effective oil analysis program will keep important assets such as engines, gearboxes, hydraulic systems, turbines, compressors, generators and other oil-lubricated machinery in operation by reducing unexpected failures and costly unscheduled down time.
Oil and coolant analysis is one of the fastest, most reliable and cost effective ways of determining what is going on inside your components.