december2021 - 18

Richmond, Virginia-based Estes is
the nation's largest privately owned
freight carrier. At its shops, the fleet's
fuel department manages oil and lubricant
inventories for over 7,000 tractors.
Orders are placed on supplier portals
and only approved products can be requested.
Engine oil is delivered in 500-gallon bulk storage
tanks and other lubricants are supplied in
sealed drums.
" All drums with axle and transmission gear
lubes have air powered dispensers to reduce the
possibility of cross contamination, " Palmer noted.
" The shops are also equipped with reels and hoses
for delivering engine oil as well as chassis grease. "
According to Palmer, fifth wheel top plate lubricant
is sourced in two ounce packets for ease of
application by both technicians and drivers.
" Our suppliers perform random inspections to
» The design of the dispensing system needs to account for many factors beyond just fluid type.
SKF
ensure we're following best practices in the shops, "
Palmer stated. " We're also just as conscientious
about how we handle and dispose of waste oil. We
only work with reputable companies who follow
the rules about insurance and documentation and
can offer nationwide service. "
Dispensing system design considerations
The design of the dispensing
system needs to account for
many factors. Joe Bamford,
strategic account manager
for SKF's lubrication and
fluid management brands,
recommended evaluating the
customer's full range of system
requirements to ensure
a proper dispensing system
design that meets their needs
and to consider the following
components and design factors:
* Fluid type: specifications/fluid
viscosity
* Length of run: vertical rise/horizontal
run/drop to reel bank
* Tubing or pipe to be
used/ID size
* Elbows and T's
* Filters/pulse meters/
solenoid valves
* Dispense valves
* Reel: hose length/ID
* Flow rate (GPM): single or
simultaneous dispense
* Tank room temperature
Taking all of this data into
account, an approximate
pressure drop figure can
be generated. This data is
then cross referenced with
the manufacturer's pump
performance chart to best
determine what pump offering
(air motor size/ratio) will deliver
the required performance.
" It is advisable to work with a
certified engineer to evaluate
the facilities and requirements,
run calculations, create
performance charts, and
design a system based on
real data, " Bamford said. " By
taking an objective approach,
it can be done correctly for
new or existing facilities. "
Brian Morgan, national sales
manager at JohnDow Industries,
a manufacturer of oil and
lubricant capture products,
said shops should first pay
attention to their equipment
needs. " There are different
ways of capturing lubricants
from vehicles and emptying
them into waste oil storage
tanks, " he related. " And different
types of lubricants
need different solutions. "
JohnDow offers low-profile oil
drains to capture fluids from
a vehicle, including 17- and
25-gallon steel oil drains that
sit just ten inches above the
ground and come equipped
with a long reach T-handle and
six-inch industrial casters for
easy maneuvering and positioning
beneath the unit. The
company's 25-gallon model
for heavy-duty repair shops
comes with a self-contained
electric pump evacuation
system with a 10' quick disconnect
evacuation hose.
JohnDow also offers air-operated
grease delivery systems
that fit 35-, 120-, and 400-lb.
grease containers and come
with a 50:1 high-pressure pump,
control handle, Z-swivel, drum
cover, follower plate, and an
8' outlet hose. Additionally,
the manufacturer provides
aboveground used oil storage
systems featuring a UL Listed
double-wall tank that provides
110% secondary containment.
The tanks are available in 180-,
245-, 285-, and 500-gallon
capacities and have an air-operated
30-gpm diaphragm pump.
Graco Inc., a manufacturer
of fluid handling equipment,
recently introduced EGP electric
transfer and on-demand
pumps. Designed as replacements
for the company's
obsolete APEX pumps, the EGP
models offer optimized pump
designs, new motors, built-in
filtration, and new pressure
controls for on-demand models.
Available in 115VAC or 12VDC
models, both EGP electric transfer
and on-demand pumps are
compatible with most standard
electric configurations. By
simply plugging the pump into a
power source, an entire 55-gallon
drum of 10W oil at room
temperature can be emptied in
less than eight minutes with the
8 gpm flow rate transfer model.
EGP pumps are also proven
to be more energy efficient
than pneumatic pumps,
the manufacturer stated,
offering an equally durable
option for fleets and service
providers seeking savings or
who are unable to otherwise
utilize compressed air.
Pump life in the EGP models is
optimized with a built-in inlet
strainer and motor over-temperature
protection which prevent
overheating, Graco added.
TravelCenters of America
" Purchasing oils and lubricants is relatively easy, "
said Homer Hogg, Vice President of truck service,
who oversees shop operations at about 270 locations
in 44 states. " But because we stock most
common major on-highway brands and viscosities,
our challenge is to have multiple storage
containers and to eliminate cross contamination. "
To meet its wide ranging engine oil inventory
needs, including the smaller jugs it sells to drivers,
TravelCenters is focused on the brands and viscosities
that its customers want. Additionally, it also
has a technical service team that looks at engine
manufacturer specs. Purchases are also often driven
by market conditions, and the volumes used at
each shop location.
Gear lubes are mainly supplied to TravelCenters
shops in 55-gallon drums. Engine oils are supplied
in bulk quantities from the local oil distributor.
Air pump powered dispensing systems within
facilities are dedicated to each lubricant, including
separate plumbing and hose reels.
" We use several brands of equipment and
tools depending on the design of the shop, " Hogg
related. " That's determined by our construction
engineering team, whose experts work with manufacturers.
It's often a dynamic process. "
At its shops, TravelCenters offers oil analysis
and sends samples to an outside lab. The
lab communicates findings directly back to the
customer. Additionally, the company uses Safety
Kleen to empty its waste oil tanks.
" We are focused on establishing good programs
and practices for oils and lubricants by having
the right equipment, organizing the systems so
they can be used effectively, and making sure they
are maintained, " Hogg stated. " Also, our focus is
on supplying what makes sense both across our
network and locally by offering enough variety to
serve the majority of our customer base. "
For related content go to
FleetMaintenance.com/in-the-bay
18 Fleet Maintenance | December 2021

http://www.FleetMaintenance.com/in-the-bay

december2021

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