When it comes to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) producing equipment specifically for the agricultural industry and workshop facilities on farms, FUCHS has a range of innovative lubricants to ensure maximum operational reliability from engines to transmissions and hydraulics.

“The agricultural market is massive. One tends to not appreciate its size because it is seasonal. You can drive past a farm and think nothing is happening, but that is simply because it is not the planting or harvesting period,” says Greg Tarr, who heads up Technical at FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA.

Due to its seasonality, the agricultural industry requires specialised oils and lubricants. FUCHS has therefore formulated products that can withstand the rigours of equipment operating for three months and then standing idle for six. These include engine oils, multifunctional hydraulic and transmission oils, greases and specialised coolants.

In addition, whereas a vehicle such as an on-highway truck encounters up- and downhills that moderate the engine output, common agricultural machines like tractors deliver maximum output all the time. “If it is working, it is moving, and normally it is pulling five times its weight as well,” says Tarr.

This where the AGRIFARM range from FUCHS comes into play. Agricultural machinery is required to deliver top performance daily, so the correct oil is critical to maintain performance and durability. “Tangible benefits of using our lubricants include increased oil change intervals and significantly less wear on components,” notes Tarr.

The range of speciality agricultural lubricants includes STOU and UTTO products, both developed for use in transmission and hydraulic systems. They can be deployed in brakes designed to run in an oil bath, commonly known as wet brakes. STOU products can be used in an engine if the respective OEM specifications are adhered to. When it comes to lubricating greases for agricultural machinery, RENOLIT combines technical excellence and cost-effectiveness in the largest number of applications.

“Our lubricants and greases have proven highly successful under the most arduous conditions in the agricultural industry for maximum reliability of farmers’ vehicle fleets. Our high-quality products meet the latest OEM standards in terms of application safety since we only use selected base oils and specially developed additives,” concludes Tarr.