Overheating is a common, constant issue for hydraulic equipment, especially when working in scorching summer conditions. Over time, this can have negative consequences for critical machinery:
Overheating accelerates oil degradation, causing varnish and sludge to coalesce in the system and cause blockages and reduce operating efficiency.
Shortened oil lifespan forces more frequent oil change-outs, increasing both downtime and oil-related expenses for new purchases and recycling.
Oil degradation products can damage system components and force the equipment’s engine to overcompensate.
Keep Cool and Collected with the FTC
Schroeder’s new Filter Tank Cooling Unit (FTC) is a compact solution for mobile fleet vehicles that combines a hydraulic tank assembly and cooling unit in one complete package.
Condensed, efficient footprint ideal for the space limitations of mobile vehicles; most optimized tank/cooler combination currently available
Integrated cooling unit maintains safe operating temperature, extending fluid life and preventing overheating in the hydraulic system
Reduces weight, space utilization, and oil usage; provides associated cost savings
Air Fusion Technology filtration and a robust, rotomolded 7-gallon TNK design to reduce weight and increase the efficiency of the reservoir’s performance and deaeration capabilities
Schroeder Success: FTC Unit Increases Machine Space on Mobile Fleet Vehicles
An OEM producing mobile fleet units sought a lighter, more space-efficient alternative for their 25 gallon hydraulic unit and separate cooling unit, which took up considerable room on the mobile unit.
Schroeder Industries engineered the FTC unit to utilize space as efficiently as possible while delivering optimal performance from the hydraulic reservoir and cooling unit, allowing OEMs to further streamline and improve their equipment designs.
Here’s how this customer benefited!
Tank + Cooling Assembly Footprint Substantially Downsized
18 Gallon Reduction in Reservoir Size; Reduced Oil Usage Per Unit
Increased Machine Space for Further Design Improvements
Can the FTC Unit help you beat the heat? Ask the experts!
The product experts at Schroeder Industries can help you find the optimal solution for your application. Let us know how we can help!
Equipment failures within warranty and product recalls are a major headache for both end users and manufacturers, ranging from costly and inconvenient to downright dangerous. One common cause of issues and even catastrophic failures is contamination present in the equipment the moment it exits the assembly line.
The risks of contamination-related, premature equipment failures to both end users and original equipment manufacturers are clear. So, how can these issues be prevented?
What is Roll Off Cleanliness?
Roll off cleanliness is commonly referred to as the overall contamination level of the fuel system, hydraulic system, and hydraulic fluid in the equipment at the time of release from an assembly line or re-build line, after testing and before shipping to customers and/or end users.
Built-in contamination, or contamination that enters a vehicle or piece of equipment during assembly, is a common cause of premature failure. A high standard of roll-off cleanliness ensures that new equipment is free of contamination which can cause failures within warranty, triggering returns, recalls, and other negative outcomes that inconvenience consumers and impact a brand’s reputation.
Where Does Built-In Contamination Come From?
For hydraulic, lubrication, and fuel systems with sensitive components, even contaminants measured in microns can cause damage. For optimal roll-off cleanliness, there are several avenues of contamination that must be monitored and addressed, depending on the application:
Machining Debris
As the automotive manufacturers mentioned above are all too aware, machining debris, or particulates left over from the process of manufacturing and assembling components, can be catastrophic.
Tiny fragments of metal and other particulates produced in the manufacturing process can cause both localized damage to engines or critical system components and spread downstream of the original contamination source, causing wear and tear throughout the system.
Environmental Component Contamination
The overall cleanliness of the manufacturing setting at every stage of production is also vital for ensuring overall roll-off cleanliness. Dust, debris, and moisture present in the environment can settle into components as they are being manufactured, packaged, transferred, or assembled.
Most manufacturers source at least some components from third party vendors, so the condition of other facilities should also be examined, and incoming components should be tested to ensure they comply with a manufacturer’s standard of cleanliness.
Contaminated Hydraulic and Lubricating Fluid
Contamination from newly added hydraulic or lubricating fluids is another common source of contamination at the start of a machine’s life. Oil producers generally adhere to strict ISO standards, but throughout the process of production, transfer, and filling, contaminants may ingress into the hydraulic fluid.
New oil should be tested before being added to any system. It is also recommended to utilize an offline filtration system or kidney loop filter to cycle the oil through the system and ensure its cleanliness.
Contaminated Fuel
For plants which produce diesel-powered mobile equipment, fuel management for on-site testing and end-of-line filling equipment is a critical part of their operations. Fuel is a common vector for water, bacteria, and particulate contamination to enter a fuel system, as there are many potential points of exposure throughout the fuel production and transfer processes.
Inbound fuel, on-site storage tanks, and distribution systems should be carefully monitored and filtered. Filtration units specialized for maintaining diesel quality are a must to ensure clean fuel, protecting new equipment from an influx of contamination into the fuel system.
Schroeder Industries’ Roll Off Cleanliness Arsenal
Schroeder Industries understands the importance of setting end users up for success through roll-off cleanliness. We offer a variety of filtration solutions and diagnostic tools that ensure your equipment is putting its best foot forward from a cleanliness standpoint when it leaves the assembly line.
Testing cabinets like Schroeder’s CTU 1000, CTU-SC, and CTU-EB are used to analyze individual machine components and provide detailed analysis of the type, size, and quantity of contaminants. Analyzing components throughout the production, storage, and system assembly process ensures that individual contaminants are clean when entering the equipment.
If a testing cabinet is outside your budget, Schroeder Industries offers turnkey testing services and expert analysis!
Contaminated hydraulic fluid or oil is a common cause of premature machine failure. Offline filtrations systems such as Schroeder’s array of filter carts (including the MFS, FS, and AMFS) allow for flexibility and mobility when testing the hydraulic fluid and lubricating oil across a variety of machines.
Ranging from streamlined-but-reliable basic cart systems to advanced systems with onboard particle counting and recording capabilities, these filter carts ensure the cleanliness of fluid within the equipment and can be customized for your specific needs.
Diagnostic tools like the TFC are used for establishing ISO counts for fluids in real-time. Due to the technology included in the TFC, it is able to distinguish air bubbles from particulate contamination, removing the counted air from the particle count, thus providing a more accurate ISO code. With shape and size recognition software, determining the type of the contamination present in the hydraulic fluid is now even easier.
Schroeder’s Fuel Filtration division specializes in coalescing and particulate filtration for diesel fuel.
Products like the BDF, GHCF, and more provide superior filtration at every stage of the fuel supply chain, including during transfer, point of fueling, and kidney loop circulating filtration for bulk storage tanks.
Fuel filtration carts like the BDFC combine our world-class fuel filters with integrated pumps, hoses, and a mobile cart chassis.
These turn-key, complete systems offer increased flexibility and enable easy transitions from application to application around a manufacturing plant or storage facility.
As a provider of critical filtration components and accessories, Schroeder Industries is all-too aware of the importance of providing clean parts to our manufacturing partners.
Our manufacturing facilities in Leetsdale, PA and Cumberland, MD maintain high standards of cleanliness, creating a comfortable working environment and minimizing the risk of particulate contamination.
Our products are subject to stringent standards which include proprietary, rigorous testing and cleaning methods that ensure our filters, rotomolded reservoirs, and other components arrive to our partners in clean condition.
Let the experts at Schroeder Industries help you reach your roll off cleanliness goals!
Years of careful research and thoughtful development have yielded the new HY-HV-S120, the latest in Schroeder’s diagnostic arsenal. This revolutionary sensor is much more than just a digital particle counter, offering detailed insights into the possible source of contaminants.
One of the most debilitating problems a vessel can face at sea is an unexpected loss of control. In rough seas, working engines can mean weathering the storm or succumbing to it. Shipping delays due to engine failures and repairs can have an impact on supply chains, and result in major disruptions and financial loss. More importantly, loss of control can have devastating consequences on crew and bystander safety.
When considering ways to prevent an unexpected loss of power for marine applications, controlling fuel contamination is an effective way to eliminate one of the greatest factors affecting diesel engine reliability today.
What Causes Fuel Contamination in Marine Applications?
Fuel systems in marine applications are vulnerable to water contamination due to the operating environment and liabilities in the fuel supply chain.
By virtue of operating at sea, on the coast, or in rivers, ships are exposed to high levels of humidity and water, which is the most common type of contamination that sea-going fuel systems face.
Diesel fuel is transported through a long network of refineries, bulk fuel suppliers, and dispensing stations before reaching its destination. At every stage, water, humidity, bacteria, pollen, and other contaminants can enter through open breathers, improperly sealed vessels, and other points of ingress.
Fluctuations in temperature can result in high levels of free water in a fuel system, which is more damaging than water that has dissolved into the fuel.
How Can Fuel Contamination Cause Engine Failure?
Contamination can affect engine operations in a variety of ways:
Buildup of bacterial sludge in the fuel due to water and bacterial contamination, also called diesel bug, can plug the engine filtration system and starve it of fuel
Small amounts of particulates and water can wear out an engine’s components over time, reducing its overall efficiency and eventually causing the engine to fail.
What Other Impacts Can Contamination and Contamination-Related Damage Have?
Besides total engine failure and its potential consequences, contamination has a range of direct and indirect impacts on equipment and operations:
Costly maintenance and repair of engines and equipment
Increased fuel-related expenses between acquiring clean fuel, disposing of contaminated fuel, and remediating/polishing contaminated fuel
Reduced fuel economy due to inefficiencies in the engine/high pressure common rail injection systems caused by contamination
Reduced engine and equipment longevity
Overall reductions in vessel or fleet profitability due to compounding expenses and downtime for repairs
How Can I Control Diesel Contamination?
Having a system in place to proactively monitor and prevent contamination where possible, plus a solution to remediate whatever contamination occurs, is key for controlling fuel contamination and protecting your engine.
Obtain fuel from a reputable source. Fuel is often contaminated before it enters a ship’s fuel system, but reputable suppliers who are familiar with contamination and take fuel cleanliness into consideration will provide higher quality fuel and prevent large, immediate influxes of contamination.
Ensure storage/fuel tank cleanliness. Before filling a fuel tank or bulk storage tank, be sure the tank is clean and dry.
Take precautions when transferring fuel/filling your system. Water and other contaminants are most likely to ingress during fuel transfer, so ensure that your transfer system is properly sealed.
Monitor the fuel quality levels of your storage tanks to determine the condition of the fuel being delivered to your engine and remediate or replace contaminated fuel before it can affect your equipment. Test kits such as Schroeder’s Diesel Fuel Quality Analysis Kits can provide important insights into the condition of your fuel, especially if you’re experiencing issues consistent with fuel contamination.
Closely monitor your fuel water separators and engine filters and empty them as often as needed. But remember: don’t rely solely on these separators and filters to completely resolve your contamination issues!
Acquire a fuel polishing system. A fuel polishing system/kidney loop attached to your system or to your storage tanks can help address contamination in real time.
Some degree of water contamination is inevitable, especially in a marine setting. However, proactive maintenance and preventative measures will significantly reduce your chances of catastrophic contamination-related equipment failure!
Schroeder Solutions for Diesel Contamination Control
Schroeder Industries understands all too well the negative impacts of fuel contamination. Our fuel filtration experts have developed a range of filtration products and services to maintain diesel fuel quality, with proven success in the maritime industry and beyond.
Here are just a few of our featured solutions:
BDFP – Bulk Diesel Filtration Panel
BDFP: Exceptional Quality, Turn-Key Stationary Fuel Filtration System
This simple-but-mighty filtration panel combines the power of our particulate GHPF filter and the exceptional water removal capabilities of our coalescing GHCF filter to defend against particulate and water contamination.
With an integrated pump, the BDFP is ready to use without requiring a new pump purchase for the filter panel.
The streamlined BDFP design is easy to integrate into new and existing fuel storage systems, and the minimal element change clearance makes maintenance easy.
Flow Rating (Electric Motor Option):
14 gpm or 25 gpm (53 or 95 L/min)
Flow Rating (Air-Operated Option):
16 or 25 gpm (53 or 95 L/min)
Ambient Temperature Range:
32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C) Standard; -20°F to 140°F (-29°C to 40°C) Heater Option
BDFP Prevents Water Contamination-Related Engine Failures in Workboat Fleet
When a fleet operator in the Mississippi River region launched a new pushboat with a brand new engine, the pushboat experienced sudden engine failure just a single mile into its maiden voyage.
Analysis revealed water contamination in the fuel source as the primary cause of this failure. When the customer approached Schroeder Industries for help, our experts recommended a kidney loop setup featuring the BDFP to ensure fuel quality, reduce engine maintenance, and protect against further costly, dangerous failures. Its performance was so outstanding that the customer implemented the BDFP across their three fleets.
Here’s how the BDFP helped this customer save money and protect their assets!
Reduced Downtime & Maintenance
Eliminated Contamination-Related Engine Failures
Prevented Major Engine Repairs (Saving Up To 100K+)
Schroeder’s particulate GHPF filter and coalescing GHCF filter combine for exceptional defense against particulate and water contamination. With the option of adding a second GHCF in parallel on the BDF, flow rate and coalescing capabilities can be doubled!
This compact filter excels in marine applications, fleet and mobile vehicle applications, railroad applications, and much more!
Flow Rating:
BDF1: up to 25gpm (95 L/min) BDF2: up to 50gpm (189 L/min)
Max Operating Pressure:
150 psi (10 bar)
Temperature Range:
w/ water sump heater: -20°F to 225°F (-29°C to 107°C); w/out heater: 32°F to 225°F (0°C to 107°C)
Due to poor fuel quality, a Class 1 Rail Carrier was experiencing frequent in-field failures of their MOW (Maintenance-of-Way) equipment, including their Fuel & Lube Trucks.
This lack of fuel quality control was costing the customer thousands of dollars in parts and labor, downtime, and lost revenue overall. Schroeder’s experts retrofitted the customer’s MOW fleet with BDF2 filters (BDF with dual GHCF filters), providing immediate improvements.
Here’s how the BDF2 helped this customer save money and protect their assets!
57% Increase in Particulate Filtration Efficiency
19% Reduction in Absolute Water Content (52ppm Below World Wide Fuel Charter Maximum Water Content)
BestFit® Elements: Superior Coalescing & Particulate Filtration
With options for both coalescing and particulate filtration and all the advantages of Schroeder’s powerful filter element technology, the BestFit® series provides improved diesel filtration performance.
SBFC element uses patented, three stage coalescing filtration technology
Synthetic filtration media eliminates degradation due to high water content fuel
Use of stainless steel support structure and polymer components prevent corrosion from high water content exposure
Direct fitment into existing installations allow for immediate performance improvements with no modifications
Differential Pressure Rating:
75 psid
Max. Operating Temperature Range:
225°F (107°C)
Filtration Rating:
225°F (-29°C to 107°C); w/out heater: 32°F to 225°F (0°C to 107°C)
