14.08.2009

New Bio hydaulic oil from Caterpillar

Caterpillar says its new biodegradable, non-toxic hydraulic fluid Cat Bio HYDO Advanced, represents a significant development in bio-based oil technology equaling or surpassing the best characteristics of premium mineral-based oils, yet providing unmatched environmental protection.

The new oil sets high standards for performance, hydraulic-system protection and service life and says Cat, provides a potential 6,000-hour service life when monitored with Cat S•O•SSM Oil Analysis.

Fewer oil changes, reduced disposal expense, less downtime and enhanced hydraulic-system protection lower overall operating costs for the machine owner. The new hydraulic fluid maintains consistent wear protection through a wide ambient-temperature range, -30C (-22F) to 45C (113F), and retains its ability to flow easily through filters even when water is present.

Cat Bio HYDO Advanced is manufactured from more than 90 percent renewable raw materials, achieving the ready biodegradability classification. It decomposes readily and harmlessly in the presence of naturally occurring microorganisms in soil and water.

“Cat Bio HYDO Advanced presently is the only oil that conforms to, and actually exceeds, the new Cat BF-2 specification for biodegradable oil," explains Stephane Latini, marketing consultant at Caterpillar. “By comparison, using biodegradable hydraulic fluid that meets only the minimum criteria of the BF-1 specification (now obsolete) typically will result in considerably reduced service life, higher operating costs and potential non-compliance with new environmental regulatory standards. The new fluid is also backward compatible with BF-1 fluids for all current and non-current Cat machines and we strongly recommend its use for all our customers.”

The environmental friendliness of the new BF-2 fluid has earned the oil the prestigious European Union (EU) Flower, an "eco-label" assigned only after a product has been thoroughly evaluated for performance, toxicology, environmental protection and utilization of renewable resources.

The new hydraulic fluid has been developed with an optimised formulation that gives very clean hydraulic systems resisting formation of varnish, gums and deposits. The new fluid also has very fast air release and high foam resistance thereby protecting pumps and the hydraulic system. Cat claims that no other fluid provides the unique combination of hydraulic-system protection and service-life longevity with such an exceptionally high level of biodegradability, low toxicity and extensive use of renewable raw materials.