Blog-Aug_12

Building a better future

Blog-Aug_12---Internal
Building a better future

Development and innovation are concepts that we understand very well at VISCOSITY. Leading the lubricants and oil industry would not have happened without the great minds behind the ideas that have kept us moving forward, not only in our labs but in every single part of our company.

Education, training, and preparation for the challenges that arise every day allow us to increase our opportunities to succeed and improve the quality of life for our customers and communities. We mirror that spirit in everything we do, and that is also why we believe educational institutions are fundamental to bringing about these changes. Among all, the National FFA Organization is one we keep very close to our hearts.

The National FFA Organization

The National FFA Organization is a student organization for young people aiming to become part of the agricultural business and take on leadership positions in various fields. Initially founded by a group of young farmers in 1928, its primary goal is to help develop the minds and careers of future leaders and professionals who are rising to the challenges that society faces today. With chapters nationwide, they not only focus on academic achievements, but also community outreach, advocacy, and engagement. Their scholarships, grants, and various events aim to provide students with a comprehensive view of the world while developing the necessary skills to become a professional within the agricultural industry and in any career path.

The National FFA Organization works with the Agricultural Education Model around three main pillars:

  • Contextual Learning: inquiry-based education within an interactive classroom or laboratory.
  • Experiential Learning: work-based and hands-on activities outside the classroom, such as SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) programs.
  • Leadership Learning: through personal growth and engagement within organizations such as the National FFA Organization and others associated with the field.
The VISCOSITY role

As supporters of this academic organization, VISCOSITY aims to help develop a professional profile that includes knowledge and preparation on the importance of fluids within the agricultural and construction equipment scope. Training and learning on this aspect of the business will place the future leader in an advantageous position, where they understand the importance of every part of operations conducted in and out of the fields.

Moreover, presenting this line of development to the new generations opens an opportunity to bring in new ideas and solutions to the lubricant and oils industry, creating spaces of investigation and research powered by curiosity and creativity. On-site activities and field training will provide students with direct contact with the materials, qualifications, skills, and fundamentals to get involved in an area around agriculture.

Browse our website to view all the innovative premium products we have developed for you! For more information on the National FFA Organization, you can visit their website https://www.ffa.org/.

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30, 60, 90

30-60-90: The Rules of the Field

Different equipment requires specific and specialized formulations. The oils and lubricants you use on your everyday vehicle will not perform the same on your off-road equipment, no matter the products’ quality, the power requirements between a mini excavator, a tractor, or any machinery used in field operations are, nonetheless, vastly different from each other.

At VISCOSITY Oil, we know how critical the quality of what you put in your equipment is for you and your work. We have formulated several products to account for the various needs that your daily operations and maintenance require, so it is really a matter of finding what’s best for your equipment and following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule.

To better understand the importance of choosing the right products, there is a very interesting and useful way to illustrate it. Have you ever heard of the 30-60-90 rule?

The 30-60-90 Rule

The best way to recognize just how different regular cars and trucks are from heavy machinery is to think about the 30-60-90 rule. This refers to the horsepower required for different vehicles to run properly on the road, and it notes that:

  • 30% of the horsepower is required by a light-duty truck to run under regular conditions.

  • 60% of the horsepower is required by a semi-truck to run on the highway while cruising, reaching its peak when going uphill.

  • 90% of the available horsepower is often used in your agricultural or construction machinery while performing in the field.

As you can imagine, the strain and pressure levels between a regular truck and off-road equipment differ considerably. And so does the maintenance that must be conducted to ensure it keeps working efficiently. One of the biggest differences that you will find is the regularity of the preventative maintenance (PMs), which are also based on different criteria; for starters, regular vehicles and trucks receive a checkup in accordance with the mileage, while agricultural and construction machinery usually measures its maintenance intervals in hours worked.

Cars usually get PM after their first 30,000 miles on the road and continue to get them after each 30,000-miles mark as a preventive measure. That maintenance schedule is also referred to as the “30-60-90 rule” (a PM after 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 miles), but that rule doesn’t take into account the load (how hard the engine worked) placed on the engine during that period. For trucks, the recommended PMs happen after the first 10,000-15,000 miles of use, generally under regular conditions. Since reaching the mileages mark in off-road equipment is different from doing it in your city car or truck, one must take into consideration its much more severe duty cycle.

The general recommendation, regardless of the type of vehicle you have, is to conduct inspections regularly to make sure its operational. Changing oil, filters, coolants, checking the air levels on your tires. and a general visual inspection can make the difference and help you note possible issues. You can perform these revisions yourself following your manufacturer’s recommendations, or you can ask a professional; either way, these inspections by themselves are not enough and require a more thorough intervention to make sure everything, from the mirrors, to the alignment, to the internal components, is working properly.

Remember: there is heavy-duty and then there is WORK-DUTY. For a piece of equipment that uses 90% of its horsepower during the majority of its operations, counting on lubricants and oils designed to withstand such pressure and strain is key to maintain your daily production, but also to keep you safe from any unplanned equipment downtime and increase costs of ownership. Here at VISCOSITY, we’ve designed our products to endure weather, corrosion, rust, pitting, and heavy usage, among many different aspects, to ensure durability. Our comprehensive portfolio of superior products offers diesel engine oil, transmission hydraulic fluid, coolants, and everything your off-road equipment needs, so browse our website and find what fits your equipment the best!  Combined with unmatched customer service and over 125 years of lubricant leadership, VISCOSITY is the trusted solution for your off-road equipment needs for ALL MAKES and ALL CONDITIONSFORMULATED FOR ALL!

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Trusted Optimal Protection

ULTRACTION Premium THF: the best choice for your equipment.

VISCOSITY Oil was founded on the basis of progress and development. We have always been willing to experiment and dip our toes into murky waters in the hopes of finding a niche to thrive, especially when it comes to construction and agricultural solutions, which has been our specialty since day one. Perseverance and resiliency have been our motto for almost 130 years—yes, more than a century! —and that’s how our company has kept working like a well-oiled machine for so long. 

Progress, innovation, and customer satisfaction are the pillars to our continuous success and were the cornerstone for the development of our most well-regarded products. Such is the case with ULTRACTION, our premium synthetic and semi-synthetic THF line that aims to keep your equipment working in fluid motion.

Our Product

ULTRACTION Transmission Hydraulic Fluid was developed by experts of our R&D Lab in 1963 to create an unmatched formula that has been leading the market ever since. It was developed based on the most stringent OEM standards in the industry, meaning it is not only designed to meet very detailed and high-performance requirements, but also exceed these expectations and deliver an even better protection. After all, why settle with the basics if we can provide so much more? 

The main performance advantage of our ULTRACTION THF is water tolerance.  As we all now, water and metal don’t go well with each other; rust and corrosion are two of the greatest enemies for machinery everywhere and it causes malfunctions from within multifunctional transmission if not addressed properly. Water can freeze too, causing damages due to flow restriction and pump cavitation. 

You are probably thinking “well, if I don’t put my machine out in the rain, my transmission is safe”. That is all well and good (keep at it!), but don’t forget that liquid can find its way into our equipment in more discreet ways, such as condensation. That can happen especially if you work under heat or high operating temperatures; it is a natural and inevitable part of the process, but one we’ve taken into account and found a solution too. 

Now, it is important to understand that a transmission hydraulic fluid is not an umbrella; think of it more like a paper towel, one that takes on the excess water that deposits where it shouldn’t be. The better the quality and thickness of the towel, the more it will take in; it will provide you with the necessary absorption and retain the liquid appropriately because it is specially designed to do so. Comparatively, a thin, cheap piece of paper that doesn’t cover the basic standards required to take care of the problem, will probably just give you more to clean after.  

Still unsure? Maybe knowing our formula has passed water volume tests may help to make up your mind. For over 20 years, ULTRACTION has been the only product in the market that has been able to pass a 1% water tolerance test; as a matter of fact, VISCOSITY is the only lab that has been approved and given gold standard to run it. And there is more! We have been working closely with OEMs to create the industry standard for water tolerance that is in place today, and only our ULTRACTION product—and direct predecessors— have been able to pass. You have our word that there is no other product in the market that can claim that is superior to our ULTRACTION formula.

So, not only will you be getting a premium-level, tested, safe product with industry leading water tolerance, but also one that has exceeded the standards for sheer stability and temperature performance, with no additive dropout, no haze, no water separation and no color changes. Its zinc-free* formulation will also ensure not only an extra layer of optimal efficiency, but also environmental protection. 

4S Technology

When it comes to design and formulation, all of our products are based on the same precepts, which we have summarized into four key concepts: Systems, Seasons, Stresses and Surfaces. Yes, it is a bit of a tongue-twister when you say them all together, so, to make things simpler, we just call it 4S Technology.

Having an online presence becomes fundamental, not only as a response to the crisis, but as a way of keeping up with modern times. The consumer’s shift is expected to be rather permanent; people, who were usually reluctant to buy fresh produce online, are now open and even accepting of the possibility.

We want our products to be compatible with ALL systems, to make sure we are covering all the basis when it comes to powered equipment. We also strive to help you in ALL seasons; we know operations are conducted all year long, and we want you to trust you’ll get the best protection regardless of the external weather conditions. Another very important aspect we consider when developing our products are ALL stresses taken on by different machinery; to account for that, we’ve tested our products off-road to deliver the best possible resistance to the intense pressure your equipment takes daily. Finally, we have formulated our fluids to be compatible with ALL surfaces, making it easier to work with materials of different equipment brands.  

Our commitment

Quality and exceeding our costumers’ expectations are at the forefront of our growth. We want to keep providing the best option in the market, but we also want to keep you informed about our products; you can browse our website to view all our portfolio of solutions and contact us to receive assistance and guidance if needed. Remember to always follow your manufacturer’s suggestions on what fluids and lubricants are best for your equipment! 

* The components of this product do not contain zinc. Traces of zinc may be found as a result of the manufacturing process.

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Small Farm, Smart Solutions

Small-scale “Working smart doesn’t always have to be about the gadgets”

Working smart doesn’t always have to be about the gadgets; sometimes it is about making the most of what you have and what is available out there. Agrotech comes in a wide range of prices to account for all budgets but cutting some corners here and there can help your business yield better, investing in essentials and prioritizing in accordance with your needs.  

Know your tools

Getting a good-quality drone can really help improve your operations. You can find affordable options out there, but even the best drone is of no value if the information it provides goes nowhere. If you don’t want to buy some expensive enterprise-level software, apps could be a great alternative.  

There are many different tools and apps in the market, with different specifications, functions, and conditions. Some are all-in-one, aiming to concentrate all required actions into a single hub; others serve more specific purposes, dealing directly with production, or monitoring your financials. Do you need to assess the nutrients on your plants, or identify the weeds growing around your crop? Maybe you want to keep track of fluid levels using a sensorlike our new FLUID-I*, or perhaps you need some assistance choosing the best oil for your engine? There are tools and apps that can help with that and more; all you need to do is find the one that fits your needs and download it in your tablet or mobile device, and you are all set for your daily operations.

Rent-a-tool

Why buy if you can rent? If you are on a budget and used equipment is not up your alley, renting can be a cheaper, more efficient way of working your field. For starters, it is faster; instead of going through all the process needed to purchase from maybe a loan request to the actual delivery of the equipment to your farm—, you could save some valuable time and just pick what suits you best with a dealer near you. You can acquire the machinery you need according to your harvest schedule and seasonal requirements, saving you the effort and resources needed to maintain equipment on-site, while also having the chance to check if the machinery you rented is actually what you require without the risk of losing your investment for good if that were not the case.   

Training and Community

Creating a network of contacts can be beneficial for your farm, not only when it comes to potential clients, but other businesses as well. Understanding and supporting other trades— whether they be established or recent start-ups— creates a community environment that aims to develop in a competitive, yet fair, way. Having the opportunity to interact with other producerssuppliers, and dealers helps to better focus your goals and builds mutually beneficial alliances that can impact your farm. Participating in public activities, such as farmer’s markets, fairs, talks and other gatherings— both on-site and remotely— will enable you to have a better understanding of the field and keep in touch with new opportunities and resources you might find useful.  

On that note, training and learning is always a great way to keep up with new technology and fresh options. VISCOSITY Everlub Academy can be a good option for dealers to rust out and learn more about the market in short comprehensive modules. Ask our team for more information to sign up! 

Go online

Forced due to the pandemic, or just as a way of expanding business, during the past year many small and medium enterprises have had to rely on ecommerce to maintain their operations afloat. It was a risk, but one that yielded results; according to a research by Colorado State University, during 2020, online grocery shopping had an increase of 10%, a whooping jump from the annual 2 to 3% percent increase recorded the previous year.

Having an online presence becomes fundamental, not only as a response to the crisis, but as a way of keeping up with modern times. The consumer’s shift is expected to be rather permanent; people, who were usually reluctant to buy fresh produce online, are now open and even accepting of the possibility.

Maybe you prefer something more direct and easier to handle, like a simple social media account; or you can choose to invest in software and platforms and get help from specialized sites that focus on creating the best mean of contact between you and your clients. There are also online sales platforms, in which, for a monthly fee, you can sell and advertise your products— even surplus!— without the need of concerning yourself with website maintenance; either way, putting yourself out there will allow you to reach potential customers, create a new web of connections, and, most important, expand your business beyond geographical limitations.

Innovation is key to success and here at VISCOSITY we have first-hand experience. Not only we are still growing and developing better, more efficient lubricant and oils solutions, but also resources and tools that can impact your operations no matter the size of your business. Ask your dealer or contact our team to learn more about our new smart choices, training programs and diagnostics platforms and keep working in fluid motion with us. 

*FLUID-I Powered by Contelligent 

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The Future of Farming

Precision Farming: “smart equipment for a smart production”

The agricultural industry is rising to the challenges brought forward by change and population demand. In a previous article, we discussed data gathering and IT tools that can aid in precision farming, but no software or program can run correctly if the information is not accurate. Proper equipment can make a difference between an inexact operation and a precise one.
Drones

Agricultural drones are tested for durability, flight capability and performance, and have become versatile tools capable of accurately charting and monitoring farmland with precision and speed. Rotary, fixed-winged, and hybrid drones come in different sizes, battery duration, and usability alternatives, from small and simple, to enterprise-oriented premium level. Customizable and equipped with a variety of IoT, drones can be used to scan, map, and lift 3D impressions of the land, allowing the user to evaluate the soil with high-quality, multi-spectral aerial views.

Fitted with specific equipment to perform certain tasks or designed especially for the purpose of spraying fertilizer, herbicide, or pesticides over the crop, these aircraft can easily fly over the field and release the required chemicals as per the directions of the controller, scanning for areas deemed problematic or prone to fungus and weed growth.

These operations can be conducted remotely, and, with the correct data input, they can even become automated, programming the drone to perform certain tasks depending on the needs of the field.

Sensors and thermal cameras

Although most of this equipment can be found already built into a drone, there are some alternatives for in-field operations. Sensors can be used in a variety of ways, from measuring temperature and pH, to nitrogen and moisture in the soil, and even to check fluid levels in your containers. They can be placed on site among the crop and monitored remotely through a software or drone that has been programed for this purpose. For example you can install a sensor inside your truck’s oil tank, providing a reading that will link to a specialized program, as is the case with VISCOSITY Oil’s UBI Sensor, which connects to a hub dashboard that shows you real-time oil levels. The gear can be highly sensitive, allowing you to get accurate measurements and making it easier to concentrate efforts and resources in accordance with the readings.

Thermal cameras are also valuable tools. They can be used as security devices — for perimetral and indoor surveillance — and also to monitor aspects like irrigation, thereby detecting underlying soil issues such as leaks or dry spots, even when those effects are not yet apparent on the plants. Thermal cameras can have more direct applications in checking plant health, creating imagery of the plant’s temperature and maturity, and detecting infections and bruising.

In some farms, thermal cameras can also be used to check temperature rates in containment bins, greenhouses, and other critical facilities.

Smart Trucks

In a world full of smart devices, it was only a matter of time before heavy agricultural machinery also got an upgrade. Nowadays, companies that specialize in farming machinery offer alternatives that not only include smart gadgets—such as GPS and sensors— but also push for automated and electricity-powered vehicles.

New farming trucks display information on screen to help guide and inform its user of any required data, from the basic harvesting route and land conditions, all the way to fuel level and machinery temperature and condition, making it easier to project oil changes and repairs. In response to labor shortages in the agricultural sector, new options of AI-driven trucks, where the human driver is optional, are out in the market, usually accompanied by a battery-powered system that generates less pollution and waste.

There is only forward with the applications and implications that this new technology brings to the table and it is up to us, much like a plant, to adapt and thrive among the new conditions and challenges posed to the agricultural industry. 

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Precision Farming

Precision Farming: “information tools for the future”

Precision farming is a concept that has been gaining more relevance and popularity in recent years. In times when concerns such as soil erosion, water supply, and population demand weigh heavily on the farming industry, the combination of technology with low-cost satellites, drones, and mobile devices as well as new software, apps, and IoT can be used to define Decision Support Systems, becoming a part of the solution for many of these areas of concern. This results in a more sustainable, smart-based production that can help your business to not only be more competitive, but also to increase your growth potential and production revenue. Here are two must-have IoTs to improve your farming operations.

GPS

With the data feed coming from a low-cost satellite or drone directly into your computer or mobile device, GPS can allow you to easily navigate the layout of your field and help you make impactful decisions based on location, distribution, and conditions. GPS can accurately show soil variability and properties, layering down aspects such as unsuitable soil, presence of water and moisture, and weed dispersal. The collected data can be used to determine farming areas, the type of crop that will thrive the best on certain zones of the farmland, and plantation ratio and distribution.

Positioning technology can also aid in everyday processes. Once you have established your crop, GPS can keep track and optimize field conditions. Mapping the farm area can help calculate the levels of pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer needed per square meter, while also keeping track of irrigation conditions. Another great advantage is machinery location and direction, which not only allows you to pinpoint a certain piece of equipment in the field— whether this be manned or not— but also allows you to plan the best route for it to navigate thus optimizing daily operations.

Recording the information provided by the GPS can help future processes. Understanding farmland conditions in connection with data can help producers to project harvesting periods and yield estimations, determining quantity and expected returns. 

Software and Apps

Precision farming aims to create the best Decision Support System for agricultural operations. Establishing protocols based on gathered data is key to maintaining and regulating procedures, and so, having an accurate software to collect and analyze the information in a single, multi-purpose hub is imperative.

Agricultural software offers complete platforms to improve farm management by keeping track of operations, ranging from seeding and cultivation, to maintenance and final harvest. Whether directly on your computer or as an app for tablets and smartphones, management software can also provide tools and resources to help with out-of-field operations, such as inventory and labor costs. They can contain a specific CRM to keep track of your client base, while also keeping information on suppliers, sales and external purchases, all aimed at improving budget administration and accounting, making it easier for you to maintain an orderly record to assess your returns on investment.

Information technology covers another area of production: your machinery. Here at VISCOSITY Oil, we have developed an interesting platform to add to your list of favorites. This platform aims to keep you informed on the state of your agricultural equipment.Based on the Contelligent platform, the VISCOSITY Everlub FLUID-I app can help you check your oil levels through accurate readings, captured by specialized sensors that connect to your smartphone providing accurate real-time, clear information. This tool will help you save valuable time, allowing you to verify oil levels remotely and program your changes, keeping your machinery running to keep your work in fluid motion.

Go smart and check all the different alternatives the market provides to develop a more sustainable, precise, and modern farm that can become a reliable source of revenue while meeting standards of quality and environmental protection.

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Maintenance

Maintenance
Maintenance: “the key to a cost-effective farming operation”

It comes as no surprise that the current pandemic has put a strain on the production and development of many companies throughout the country. The USDA estimates that production expenses in the farming industry will increase 2.5% for 2021; and added to that is the pressure of making smart investment choices to maintain a steady revenue stream. The focus, therefore, should be in the details; the small changes that can significantly and positively impact the farming process and generate the least loss. In this regard, maintenance and proper care of machinery should be considered a cornerstone.

Farming equipment is not cheap, and different heavy-duty machinery is required depending on the work. A new tractor can cost, on average, between $300,000 and $750,000. On top of that, one must consider at least 5% more to account for annual repairs, any additional associated operating costs, and another 10% annually for the ownership costs such as taxes, insurance, and housing. This is all for a single piece of machinery, which can have an economic life of 15 to 20 years if tended properly. Plows, seeders, irrigation systems, and harrows will all add to that annual cost of production.

Proper maintenance becomes fundamental not only to keep your equipment in shape—which will ensure daily, steady production—but also to avoid damages due to wear and tear, work-related accidents, and extra expenses such as paying for new parts and repair-avoidable malfunctions. Taking good care of your machines will not only impact your business, but it will also ensure less depreciation of value on the equipment.

The role of lubricants

Lubricants must fulfill a series of requirements in order to ensure the proper functioning of the machinery and respond to the harsh conditions in which the different elements of the engine work. These functions are vital to reducing energy consumption and improving engine performance, together with protecting mechanical elements against wear and corrosion, keeping mechanisms clean, and maintaining temperature by evacuating the heat generated in the engine. Having the right lubricant in accordance with the needs of your machinery is crucial for its correct performance and to ensure its longevity.

There are multiple types of engines out in the market, so you can’t just choose any lubricant, as they are not all suitable. Finding the right one for your equipment is vital and, as a result, oil manufacturers must work to develop quality products that meet the standards of each OEM. It is also important to understand the API and SAE classifications, which indicate the degree of demand and viscosity of the lubricant, respectively.

We must remember that oils and lubricants are not miracle workers. An underlying technical problem will not be fixed solely by using better-quality products; however, finding the right one for your engines and parts will help avoid certain concerns and expenses. Low-quality products, though cheaper, can result in overheating, oxidation, and sludge buildup, among other issues, which will, in turn, further damage your machinery.

The chemicals present in low-quality formulas might be diluted or mixed with recycled or virgin-based oils to reduce production costs, and they can be highly contaminating.

A low-performance oil will probably require you to change it more often; this means another expense sooner rather than later. In the long run, a cheaper band-aid type solution will become an expensive headache.

Our alternative

VISCOSITY Oil offers a wide range of premium oils and lubricants aimed to extend the economic life of your equipment. We work with the highest standards regarding testing and formulation for both our formulation processes and products, centralized under our Quality Management System (QMS) Policy and HSE Policies, ensuring their effectiveness. Our emphasis in agricultural solutions and innovation has placed us as a reliable choice, providing our customers with high-performance, safe, and money-saving products, developed to protect your equipment from damages such as corrosion, cold, mechanical stress, and wear.

Visit our Products section and learn more about all the alternatives we have for you!

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