By “Farm Boy” Warren Coates
This isn’t a political column, but it got your attention to discuss lubrication. The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), which I greatly admire, emphasizes that modern mechanical design has significantly improved efficien-cy, making even minor wear a critical concern. Lubrication remains one of the few areas where improvements can yield significant cost savings. The STLE will talk about the boundary condition, which is metal-to-metal contact in the pres-ence of a lubricant. Can we still improve oil’s ability to work in the boundary condition? ABSOLUTELY.
What’s in a Name?
High-performance oil and fuel additives reduce friction with extreme-pressure ingredients while stabilizing oil, preventing rust & corrosion, and keeping the system clean. Alberta-based PowerSUM tips its cowboy hat to the STLE by naming its leading oil additive HDL90, which stands for Hydro-Dynamic Lubrication 90, representing the transition point on a graph where boundary lubrication shifts to hydrodynamic lubrication, the ideal state with minimal friction. HDL90 was devel-oped to reduce this wear by forming a sacrificial protective film.For PWR4 Diesel AG…the PWR speaks to the CETANE improvement. CETANE is a measure of diesel ignition quality, and the rating is like octane ratings in gasoline – the higher the cetane number, the faster ignition is for easier cold starts, re-duced engine vibrations, and improved fuel consumption. The AG is an anti-gellant designed to ensure optimal fuel flow in cold weather, built for Canada’s toughest conditions.
Why HDL90 & PWR4 Diesel AG?
HDL90 is designed for diesel (low ash) & gas engines and gearboxes. It simplifies farm operations by eliminating the need for multiple additives. Complementing it, PWR4 Diesel AG is an all-season diesel additive that enhances fuel efficiency. The universal nature of both products saves farmers money, time, and confusion, especially during peak farming seasons.PowerSUM’s website contains performance specifications backing the technology, but to illustrate, consider the example of a John Deere S680 combine, which runs on a PowerTech PSS 13.5L diesel engine using about 80 litres of diesel per hour and assumes 400 hours of work in a harvest. Using HDL90 and PWR4 Diesel AG can reduce fuel usage by over 10-15% based on testimonials and case studies— we will assume only 6% as a conservative estimate.
Beyond fuel savings, these additives lower maintenance costs by reducing wear and tear, extending the lifespan of com-ponents like injector heads and rotor bearings, and preventing costly downtime during seeding or harvest. Who wouldn’t want to save three thousand canuck- bucks on fuel? And for fun imagine that nearly 2,000 litres diesel can take you and yours well beyond another BOUNDARY, protecting you from winter, in style with the money saved?STLE engineers inspire innovation, but an old-timer’s wisdom remains: preventative maintenance is key. Not all additives are equal, and the numbers speak for themselves. Try HDL90 and PWR4 Diesel AG by Alberta’s PowerSUM- in times of uncertainty, they are proudly Western Canadian working hard just like you.Always confirm that the additives you use meet your manufacturer’s specifications; pay close attention to the language, as regulations cannot unfairly discourage products that extend the life of your equipment.
