Notice
The photos do not show the AHWI RT 400 concerned!
The photo shooting has been conducted by PHI OIL and has taken place on the work area of Steinwender Agrar Service. On that day, a unit on loan was used. So, the photos do not show the unit concerned, but only the specific area and work surroundings of Steinwendner Agrar Service.
The following report is based on facts documented in the maintenance journal of Steinwendner Agrar Service. Also, periodical lubricant analyses were carried out to analyse the happenings based on the oil condition. This report is based on these documents, which have been provided to PHI OIL.
The observation period is from 2009 to 2017.
This report explicitly does not aim at presenting the quality of AHWI RT 400 as inadequate, but simply serves to display the exceptional performance of PHI OIL’s high-quality lubricants.
Challenge
The grinding of tree stumps is one of the toughest jobs a hydraulic system will have to handle. Specifically, the stump grinder was being used on extreme slopes with gradients of up to 100% (45°). Continuous operation in such extreme cases means that machines such as these are operating at the limit of their capabilities.
Problem
The use of hydraulic oils recommended by the manufacturer was causing actual damage. The lubricants being used were inadequate and thus incapable of sufficiently protecting the hydraulic components in such extreme conditions. The first incident of damage to the power train occurred after 1,300 operating hours. During the first 2,700 operating hours (3 years), motors, drive pumps and final drives had to be replaced.
Result
Since replacing the drive assembly and switching to PHI OIL there has been no further damage to the hydraulic systems. The unit has since been in operation for further 4,600 hours without critical incidents. After 1,000 operating hours a used oil analysis is always carried out, and an oil change takes place after 2,000 operating hours. Despite extreme demands, the stump grinder is capable of rising to the challenge without any problems whatsoever.
Client testimonial
The stump grinder was always a real headache. Every few hundred hours a hydraulic component would fail. PHI OIL were then recommended to us. After a very competent consultation, PHI OIL helped us put together a lubrication concept which is simple and which reduces the stress on the components. We have since had no further damage to our stump grinder. By using Universus Gold 5W40 we have been able to cut expected costs by around EUR 22 per operating hour. Furthermore, working with PHI OIL has given us a very thorough understanding of the interaction between machines and oil and now we know our equipment better than ever. Had these problems continued, our maintenance costs, with downtime, would have been about EUR 60,000 higher over the last 3 years of operation!
Thomas Steinwendner, CEO, Steinwendner Agrar Service GmbH
