Mechanical Technology

Mechanical Technology — November 2015

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On the cover

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tion manufacturing capabilities. We are

unique in that we are closely involved

with the research and development

(R&D) of new engine technology. We are

at the forefront of the development of the

new emission-regulated diesel engines,

which depend on very high cleanliness

levels. Fleetguard

is the only filtration

and engine protection original equipment

manufacturer (OEM) in the world that

belongs to a high-tech engine manufac-

turer,” he points out.

“Africa is a receiving continent for

mobile vehicles and equipment. Very few

diesel engines are manufactured in Africa

and, therefore, few African countries

have emissions regulations mandating

the vehicles that may be used. In con-

sequence, vehicles from Japan, China,

Europe, North America and other parts of

the world, all manufactured according to

different emissions regulations, are being

used in Africa. This creates complexities

with respect to aftermarket emission con-

trols, which we see as an opportunity,”

Chowdary says, adding, “our Fleetguard

range has the breadth and scope to cover

legacy vehicles all the way through to

the most up-to-date emission-regulated

diesel engines.”

While Africa is predominantly non-

emission-regulated, an increasing num-

ber of modern vehicles are being brought

into the continent. “In meeting the emis-

sions regulations, the first thing needed

is good quality diesel. Low sulphur diesel

with 10 ppm (ULSD) or less, for example,

is required for Euro V and above vehicles,

while for Euro III and IV and Tier II and

III off-road vehicles, you can get away

with 50 ppm,” says Bottyan.

“The diesel in Africa is amongst the

worst in the world. While producers can

manufacture low-sulphur clean diesel,

the distribution infrastructure is often not

suitable for keeping contaminants out,”

he points out.

At the pinnacle the Fleetguard fuel fil-

tration solution is its NanoNet

synthetic

filter media. “When used in one of our

diesel filters, such as the FF5782 spin-on

diesel filter, the particulate in the diesel

is removed to meet the 12/9/6 ISO 4406

cleanliness level.

“Modern high-pressure common

rail fuel injection diesel engines require

high cleanliness levels to enable the fuel

injectors at the combustion chamber to

accurately inject the fuel air mix. Engine

performance, efficiency and emissions all

depend on these injectors, which are set

to tolerances of between 1.0 and 3.0

so even the tiniest particles in the diesel

or air can affect their performance,”

Chowdary informs

MechTech

Bottyan continues: “To allow an

on-board fuel filter to maintain these

high cleanliness levels, however, bulk

fuel filtration systems are necessary

to remove some of the contaminants

before they enter the machine’s fuel

tank. HFT supplies offline fuel filtration

systems that can ensure acceptable

(ISO 4406 18/16/13) cleanliness levels

in storage and fuel tanks.”

“The Fleetguard range however, in-

cludes much more than just fuel filters,”

continues Bottyan. “It is just as important

to filter the air being mixed into the fuel.

Using the same synthetic nano media,

along with cellulose media layers,

Cummins has developed NanoForce

technology to use in conjunction with

NanoNet fuel filtration. The whole aim

is to extend the life of an engine and the

service intervals, without increasing the

breakdown risks. We can now offer an

entire range of complementary products

that, combined, offer the lowest possible

total costs of ownership,” he reveals.

Citing a typical mining vehicle,

he says that fuel and oil filters are

changed every 250, 500, 750 and

1 000 hours, with the air filter being

changed at 500 and 1 ,000 hours.

“Fleetguard air, oil and fuel filters are

now designed to be changed every 1 000

hours, so an operator only uses half the

air filters and one quarter of the oil and

fuel filters compared to most OEM recom-

mendations. This obviously also results

in less maintenance downtime for the

vehicle, improving productivity.

“In addition, coolant is usually drained

every 4 000 to 6 000 hours. Fleetguard’s

organic acid technology (OAT) is a lifelong

coolant, which first needs to be changed

during the midlife rebuild or stored and

reused after the rebuild if the additive

package is not compromised. This reduc-

es the environmental impact of having

to dispose of traditional coolants up and

refill with new product.” Chowdary says.

“The beauty is that our solutions work

in tandem with each other,” says Bottyan.

“Through the Fleetguard distribution

collaboration, we can now offer total

engine protection in addition to our total

hydraulic fluid management offering.

From a contamination protection point of

view, we have truly become a one-stop

shop,” he says.

“In today’s economic environment,

whether operators are running trucks,

shovels, graders, dozers or excavators,

they have to be cost conscious. Nobody

can afford to spend more money than

they have to. The Fleetguard OAT coolant

and filtration combinations for engine oil,

fuel and air, coupled with the hydraulic

fluid filtration range from HFT, offers

operators the absolute minimum total

cost of ownership, and the maximum

productivity from their equipment as-

sets,” Chowdary concludes.

The HY-PRO diesel

coalescing filter unit from

HFT is and offline fuel filtration system that can ensure

acceptable (ISO 4406 18/16/13) cleanliness levels in

storage and fuel tanks.

HFT’s Spartan head office. The Hytec

Group has 34 operations supplying compo-

nents and turnkey systems to the industrial

and mobile equipment markets.