In order to sustain this immense business, extensive fleets of salt mining equipment operate around the clock. The fleets consist of a variety of bulldozers, excavators, loaders, haul trucks and lifting equipment by Caterpillar, Rimpull, P&H, Manitowoc, Barber Green and Rexnord, and typically operates about 5,400 hours annually. With such high production volume and high demand, it is important that all machinery is lubricated with high quality lubricants and properly maintained for continued use and efficiency.

Proper Maintenance

Exportadora de Sal’s equipment is faced with harsh operating conditions year round. Extreme temperatures, high humidity, windy conditions and constant exposure to heavy concentrations of brine and dust can cause engine corrosion and degradation of oils. “In order to counter these problems and maximize the reliability of the fleet, a stringent maintenance program monitoring contamination of the oils, must be in effect” claims Rafael Garcia Vizcaino, fleet maintenance manager, Exportadora de Sal.

“We have found that maintaining equipment by checking oil and hardware performance on a regular basis is much more effective than repairing the problems after they have occurred,” claims Vizcaino. “Our extensive maintenance program requires routine checks based on the number of hours the equipment is operating. Every 250 hours the engine oils are sampled, oil is drained and filters are changed, every 500 hours gear oil levels are checked and replaced as needed and every 1000 hours the hydraulic oil is changed”.

Because Exportadora de Sal has high production goals and the workers fulfill demanding job functions, very efficient equipment is crucial to performance. Therefore, Exportadora de Sal’s equipment maintenance program also includes oil analysis. The benefits of routine oil analysis are realized in reducing the amount of down time due to failures and providing specialized maintenance plans based on internal synopses of the engines and transmissions.

“A good oil analysis system, good interpretation of that analysis, and good lubrication practices are all vital to effective care of equipment,” says Vizcaino. “We have found that good lubrication procedures in response to oil sample results and use of quality 76 Lubricants products is the key to the success of our engine maintenance programs.

Extensive Maintenance

For the past 20 years, Exportadora de Sal has continually used 76 Lubricants due to its consistent proven performance. Using upwards of 100,000 gallons of oil each year for its extensive fleet, the company has come to rely on 76 Lubricants Guardol® QLT 15W-40 Engine Oil, HT/4 Transmission Fluid, Unax® AW Antiwear Hydraulic Fluid, Super RR-I 40 Engine Oil, Omniguard™ Grease and MP Gear Lube 85W-140. Essentially, the relationship of product cost to product performance and its protection for equipment during the long hours of use makes 76 Lubricants the oil brand of choice for Exportadora de Sal.

“When choosing a lubricant for our equipment, the most important factors are fuel consumption, overall engine maintenance and equipment reliability. Using 76 Lubricants has allowed for extended engine and equipment life which translates to a lower production cost per metric ton,” says Vizcaino.