Compressed air lubricants hold the fate of your air end, cooler, and the life of your compressor in its oily gallons. So, when choosing a lubricant with so much at stake, it’s vital that you don’t cut corners.
Consider all that a lubricant needs to manage:
- filter contaminates like dirt and water brought in from the surrounding environment
- absorb the high heat of compression while maintaining optimum cooling capability
- lubricate the bearings
- resist varnish buildup that can single handedly take down your entire compressed air system
It’s no wonder that investing in a high-grade lubricant is so critical – opting for the low-end can literally kill your machine.
A lubricant perspective
The oil in your car is changed approximately every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Comparatively, your compressor lubricant is changed about once per year – or, every 8,000 hours of operation.
That’s the equivalent of driving your car for 480,000 miles between oil changes!
Compressor lubricant is expensive – but there is a lot of technology behind its functionality. Buying the cheap stuff may seem like a great deal; but the reality is that you’ll likely have to replace your compressor years sooner. And that’s a hefty expense that could have been avoided.
Sullair has been providing Sullube 32, a PG lubricant, as their standard factory fill since the 1980s. In fact, Sullair requires it to stay compliant with their 10 year warranty – but why? Sullube keeps the compressor clean, runs cool, lubricates well, and protects your investment as well as theirs during the warranty period.
So, when it comes to lubricants, quality matters.
What are my best options?
What are my best options?
Sullair’s most popular lubricants each have their own unique benefits and applications and all uphold Sullair’s high standard of optimal performance and longevity.
Sullube:
Sullair’s longest lasting lubricant boasts up to 10,000 life hours while preventing varnish build up – the most common cause of airend failure.
Sullube also features
- a polyglycol base, synthetic fluid – widely accepted as the best ingredients for stationary rotary screw compressors
- removes existing varnish
- has a high flash point & exceptional cooling ability
- has the least fluid loss compared to other lubricants – meaning top offs are fewer and less expensive over time
Pristine FG:
This lubricant is specifically designed for use in rotary screw compressors used in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. Meeting USDA and FDA H1 requirements, this lubricant packs a punch in benefits to specialty applications.
Pristine FG offers
- 6,000 life hours; one of the longest of any food grade lubricant on the market
- performs in a wide range of temperatures
- has less lubricant consumption
Sullair SRF II/8000:
This standard replacement fluid is hydrotreated petroleum-based; increasing the efficiency of your system and offering a budget-friendly alternative.
Sullair SRFII/8000 presents
- up to an 8,000-hour life
- resists breakdown in high temperatures
- performs well at high pressures, making it more tolerant for specialty applications
If you’d like to learn more about the best lubricant for your facility, contact our Blake & Pendleton team.