Drive to increased fuel efficiency is driven by a desire to lower operating costs.

Sandeep Ganjoo

Sr. AGM Business Development, Apar Industries

What are the current technology trends that manufacturers are adopting for improving equipment efficiency, fuel economy and reduce downtime?

Construction and mining equipment are working in severe operating conditions. With the changing dimension and requirements of various equipment, customers are now keen to know various properties of lubricants and oils such as air release properties, Bulk modulus, TOST life, traction & PV characteristics. In transmission oil category such as backhoe loaders, loaders, people are looking for universal oils for gear, transmission and clutch. This concept is going to gain traction in the coming years.

Considering engine oils, CV on-highway segment is already compliant with BS VI emission norms and from Oct 2021, BS-IV(CEV) for off highway equipment is coming into implementation. In this scenario, the engine oil demand has shifted to API CK-4 which will definitely address the emission compliance and fuel efficiency.

Fuel economy in Heavy Commercial vehicles can be achieved through reduction of friction in engine, transmission and differential.  Using advanced lubricants in all the above categories we can easily show an overall improvement of 4 to 5% in fuel economy.

Along with various engine design changes, the focus has been publicized in developing fuel efficient engine oils. The role of lubricants in improving fuel efficiency and provide strategies for selecting the best oil for a given application.

By using dedicated lubricants for engine/ transmission and differential a minimum fuel economy of 3% is achievable which can be further improved if replaced with latest technology luricants.

The drive to increased fuel efficiency for heavy duty vehicles is driven primarily by a desire to lower operating costs. This is leading to a shift in the typical viscosity grades used from 15W-40 to 10W-40  5W-40, 0W40 and 5W30. However, unlike for passenger cars (currently GF-5), earlier there were no standard tests for the evaluation of heavy duty diesel engine oil fuel economy improvement and the same was catered by various OEM’s through specific fuel consumption pattern as per their own requirements. Blending low viscosity oil to improve fuel efficiency is actually relatively simple; the challenge comes when you look to balance it with engine protection and acceptable oil drain intervals. Lower viscosity has become a bigger focus given the need for enhanced fuel economy. The fuel economy improvement that can be expected from using lower viscosity oils depends on the engine type and duty cycle, and with the oil that is selected.

Compared to conventional API CI-4 SAE 15W-40 oils, fuel economy improvements of 2.5% or more can be achieved by using API FA-4 licensed products.

What kind of products and solutions are used today to ensure right performance of the components?

Majority of customers have switched over to latest technology product categories to ensure high productivity and minimal downtime.

Our entire range of lubricants in construction and mining comprise of engine oils, transmission oils, UTTO, hydraulic oils, ATF, multipurpose and specialty greases.

Our latest technology of HDDEO’s are loaded with all required specifications laid down by various key OEM in construction & mining segment. Apart from API approvals our engine oils are also certified by Volvo under VDS3 and VDS4. We blend our entire range of engine oils with group group III base stocks. Few advantages of our engine oils include: Extended drain interval, enhanced equipment life, lower piston deposits, better fuel economy, excellent friction characteristics, better soot handling capability, excellent shear stability (we use better base oils with higher inherent VI), and lower traction coefficient.

Our transmission fluid range is approved by Allison and meets the requirements of CAT TO4 also. We have unique technology driven UTTO products which meet the latest OEM requirements.

Our hydraulic fluids are approved by major companies such as Bosch Rexroth, Cincinnati Milacron, Bull machines, Action Construction Equipment, HYVA, BEML etc.

We manufacture multi-purpose greases like EP2 with high viscosity base stocks and well-fortified additive package, which provides excellent properties like better weld load, enhanced service interval, better wear control etc. We also have high-end greases in our product portfolio for high temperature and high load applications like excavator Pin-bush, main bearing cone crushers. Increased re-greasing intervals to the tune of 7-10 times as compared to conventional EP2 greases.

Tell us about the stringent emission norms compliance and also about the challenges in the transition to adopt BS-VI norms.

BSVI for on highway commercial vehicles is already implemented effective April 2020 with a major reduction in emission of NOx & particulate matter, which has led to use of DPF & SCR after treatment technology to meet these stringent requirements.

To achieve a reduction in particulate matter by 82% and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by 68%, demands for a combination of technologies.

Major challenge faced in transition was overhauling of technology dynamics and an overall change in cost structure.

As far as contractors are concerned, selecting the right lubricant needs proper knowledge. What are the steps taken in this regard?

There are specifications laid down for each application. Beyond this, there are also OEM requirements based on the type of base oil technology to be used. Service and oil analysis play a major role in selecting the lubricants and oils for the right application. We work closely with customers to bring in the awareness about the various aspects of using right lubricant or oil for optimum performance.

Each OEM recommends the specification and the performance standards of the lubricant grade to be used based on various environmental aspects. The recommendation is normally done taking the following key factors taken into consideration:

• Function / application
• Ingredients / composition
• Physio-chemical characteristics & performance standards
• Longevity
• Cost
• After sales support

Tell us about the emerging scenario in this segment and the outlook for the sector. Also, to what extent has the Covid pandemic affected the industry and likely to impact further?

Government has already allocated a huge investment plan for infrastructure building and has recorded more than 35 km road per day despite of huge issues faced initially due to relocation of migrant labourers. Coal mining sector has faced a decline to the tune of 25% due pandemic.

Can you tell us about your future plans in terms of investment/ introduction of new products and revenue outlook for the current fiscal?

We have entire range of lubricants available for heavy commercial vehicles both in conventional and high-end segment which impart the following benefits: extended drain intervals, enhanced equipment life, improved fuel economy and excellent anti shudder performance for transmissions.

We have designed a synthetic blend product in SAE 10W40 under CI4 plus category best suited to Indian conditions to boost the fuel economy. We have also launched API CK-4 HDDEO to impart superior performance and protection as compared to its predecessor CJ-4. We have also launched latest technology long life OAT antifreeze coolants to impart further protection and enhance performance of heavy duty engines in HEMM.

We also have entire range of transmission fluids for on highway and off highway applications approved by Allison transmissions fortified with advanced friction modifier additives to combat various losses in transmission for better fuel economy and also help for smooth gear shifting.

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