What Lubricants Should Be Used For Different Forestry Machines?
This table includes all the major forestry machines used, and the oil types for their various components.
| Knuckle boom loaders |
Skidders |
Tracked harvesters & feller bunchers | Forwarders | Wheeled harvesters | Wheeled feller bunchers | |
| Engine | Mineral engine oil 15W-40 | Mineral engine oil 15W-40 | Mineral engine oil 15W-40 | Mineral engine oil 15W-40 | Mineral engine oil 15W-40 | Mineral engine oil 15W-40 |
| Transmission & transfer case | Universal tractor fluid | Gear oil limited slip 80W-90 | Gear oil limited slip 80W-90 | Universal tractor fluid | ||
| Hydraulic system | Mineral engine oil 15W-40 | Mineral engine oil 15W-40 | Mineral engine oil 15W-40 | Hydraulic oil VG 68 | Hydraulic oil VG 68 | Mineral engine oil 15W-40 |
| Axles, bogies, final drive & track drive | Universal tractor fluid | Gear oil limited slip 80W-90 | Gear oil limited slip 80W-90 | Gear oil limited slip 80W-90 | Universal tractor fluid | |
| Brake & park brake | Universal tractor fluid | Universal tractor fluid | Universal tractor fluid | Universal tractor fluid | ||
| Crane base and swing drive | Gear oil limited slip 80W-90 | Gear oil limited slip 80W-90 | Gear oil limited slip 80W-90 | Gear oil limited slip 80W-90 | ||
| Pump drive | Universal tractor fluid | Universal tractor fluid | ||||
| Cooling system | Extended life coolant – Premix 50 | Extended life coolant – Premix 50 | Extended life coolant – Premix 50 | Extended life coolant – Premix 50 | Extended life coolant – Premix 50 | Extended life coolant – Premix 50 |
| Grease | Grease – super heavy duty | Grease – super heavy duty | Grease – super heavy duty | Grease – super heavy duty | Grease – super heavy duty | Grease – super heavy duty |
| Cab lift & engine enclosure | Universal tractor fluid | Mineral engine oil 15W-40 | Universal tractor fluid | Universal tractor fluid | Universal tractor fluid | |
| Winches | Universal tractor fluid |
The correct lubricant is critical to obtaining maximum life from your machine. Regular oil testing combined with machine servicing is required. Diesel with high sulphur content depletes the engine oil additives which will reduce the engine oil life. Note: This is just a guide and the manufacturer’s recommendations should be consulted.
Source: Bell Equipment Co. S.A (Pty) Ltd, www.bellequipment.com
Source: Bell Equipment Co. S.A (Pty) Ltd, www.bellequipment.com