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Lubricants

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Gord William

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I didnt see a lubrication forum so Ill ask here. Im curious, does anyone run with biodegradable oils , engine and hydraulic as well as greases. These old tractors leak a bit here and there, ( even the best restored). So Im wondering how many folks are using these lubricates? Ive never priced them yet but Im interested in using them. They wont harm the ground and are used in sensitive areas. I have used food grade lubricants before and they work well.
Gord
 
Not good for machines that sit a lot, the oil can get funky basically start breaking down from moisture in the tank. Talking with an environmental guy doing some work at a former gas station a while back he was saying how oils and grease pose little risk because they cake up and don't go far into the ground, whereas gas and solvents will penetrate very deep into groundwater. A few drips here and there are not harming anything, the reason for biodegradable oils is primarily construction equipment in wetlands and such, blowing a hose on a large excavator can pump out more oil in the 10 seconds it takes to shutdown than most of us use total for lube oil annually in our tractor collections.
 
When there are oil spills, the pros scoop up the mess and spread it on the ground surface where the sun and weather and natural microbes (ever notice how lichens like to grow on the grease spots of old grove equipment?) break down the oil and grease and render them harmless. Obviously with much supervision and such.

But the point being, a drip of oil or grease on the top of the ground is going to be pretty harmless.

Paul
 
I live in an area where we have a huge amount of fresh water (lakes,swamps, rivers, creeks and wetlands). I guess I was more concerned with water contamination from oil whether it be a few drips or a large spill thats why I was asking about the biodegradable oils. I also often enough hear of hydraulic hose breaks or running machines over rocks etc and damaging the oil pan or drain plug or ripping a hose off. ( it does happen). I suppose if you dont have much ground water in an area its not so much of a concern but in my area its a bit of a concern, ( at least for me). Anyway it was just of a question I was asking as I was curious if anyone with either old or new machines was using biodegradable oil. But I think I got my answer as it doesnt sound like its much of a concern or an issue. I appreciate your replys and thank you for answering my question. Gord.
 
I do my best not to spill fuel and oil, but obviously it happens, it's amazing how quickly vegetation grows back after even a moderate spill. I would be very careful about protecting your 500 gallon bulk oil tank, but losing a few gallons from a damaged oil pan won't have much lasting effect really.
 
I seen a semi truck one time, it had the damdest contraption on the back, built on to a trailer,so i asked the driver what that was, he said they go around to oil spills,and burn the soil, mostly Railroad Refueling Stations, that have to dig up the dirt where ever they spilled diesel fuel, when refueling and litterally burn the soil, it comes out fresh and its as good as new , according to him,they put it back in the hole and go to the next spill site!
 
Your biggest concern should be the additives in the oil,the small amount of leakage from your equipment is not going to cause any detectable pollution. Any biodegradable lubricant I'm aware of does not contain the anti-wear additives that are added to the oils we use in flat tappet engines used on most of our pre 1985 equipment.
 
Wow. There are things worth worrying about particularly now, but petroleum leakage from machinery isn't one of them.
 

FWIW- we used to have a lot of open ditches where I grew up. Every year one of my jobs was to take drain oil and pour it into the water to keep down the black flies and mosquitos. This was done several times a year. If I went back 2 weeks after I'd dosed the ditch, I could see the bugs coming through to the surface and taking of. Within limits, I don't think the damage is near what we've been trained to think it is.
 
When I worked on undersea ROVs (remotely operated vehicles), the practice was to use food grade oil for the hydraulics. Should a leak occur, the local critters would get a free meal but no other damage than that.
 
(quoted from post at 07:06:18 03/27/21)
FWIW- we used to have a lot of open ditches where I grew up. Every year one of my jobs was to take drain oil and pour it into the water to keep down the black flies and mosquitos. This was done several times a year. If I went back 2 weeks after I'd dosed the ditch, I could see the bugs coming through to the surface and taking of. Within limits, I don't think the damage is near what we've been trained to think it is.
Click to expand...

Brett, I remember from 50 years ago oil on water to keep mosquito larvae from maturing. I also remember drain oil for dusty roads. It was all perfectly acceptable back then. Wit the passage of time knowledge has grown. I have not been "trained" to think that there has been damage, I have "learned" about pollutants in drain oil. Specifically heavy metals, that have been found to cause cancer. This has been common knowledge for forty years now.
 
I work in a water treatment plant, (drinking water), and we use food grade grease and food grade oil in everything. Doesnt matter if its a valve, gearbox or other equipment, it gets good grade lubricants. Grease, oil, anti-seize, its all food grade. Some of the equipment is run 24/7, other equipment runs once or twice a year only.
As for being trained, I have been trained in water treatment and the hazards associated with oil in water as well as oil in the environment and the damages it can cause. The training Ive had is based on science and is evidence based and accepted around the world in this industry as fact. I didnt post this question to argue with anyone or to preach to anyone, I simply find the subject interesting and worthy of further investigation. Environment friendly lubricants have come a long way in the last few years and are being used more and more and so, if possible, I would like to look into using them in my antique tractors. Gord
 
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