Blog | POLARIS Laboratories®

Seven Steps to Managing an Effective Fluid Analysis Program

Managing your fluid analysis program is simple. At least it should be. If you struggle to ensure your fluid analysis program meets your maintenance goals, check out these seven steps. I guarantee, it will make a world of a difference.

Set attainable program goals
Take a moment to set your goals. Then, review your current maintenance practices and strategies to determine if they will help you accomplish your goals.

Identify the resources you need to sufficiently run the program
Resources play an important role in program success. Another factor is the size of your program. This will impact the personnel and resources needed to reach your goals.

Build the appropriate equipment lists
Equipment list information should be sent to your laboratory before samples are submitted for processing.

Determine sampling intervals
Although an equipment manufacturer’s recommendations provide a good starting point for developing preventive maintenance practices, sampling intervals should be based on various factors.

Take an active role in minimizing sample turnaround time
Don’t compromise the value of your fluid analysis results and the laboratory’s maintenance recommendations with unnecessary delays in turnaround time.

Report key results to management
When reviewing your most critical information, consider what management needs to know most – and share the results with them. The size of your operation and your goals and resources will dictate the best and most efficient metrics to share with management.

Select a laboratory that will help you every step of the way
To realize the true value that an effective fluid analysis program can have on your overall business performance, you need to select the right partner.

To learn more, read this article about what makes a successful fluid analysis program or contact us a custservice@eoilreports.com.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Published February 7, 2017

The Benefits of Fluid Analysis for OEMs

OEMs often use fluid analysis to enhance their product offerings. Partnering with an accredited laboratory, they can help their customers obtain the most value out of their equipment.

Whether an OEMs’ customers want to extend both oil and equipment life, increase equipment resale value, or reduce overall maintenance costs, they have a resource to help improve their maintenance program.

This is not the only value fluid analysis provides to OEMs.

Warranties. The use of fluid analysis allows OEMs to address warranty claims made by their customers.
Equipment Service Support. Oil analysis is often included as part of the service package for both OEMs and dealers’ customers.
Early Failure Detection. This allows OEMs to have an earlier indication of when equipment moves into failure mode
Increase Resale Value. The use of a fluid analysis program has proven to increase equipment resale value.
Brand Awareness. Fluid analysis programs help OEMs enhance the value of their brand in the eyes of their customers.

OEMs who work with a fluid analysis provider offer additional value to their end-users. This added value helps them advance their brand as well as build credibility as their customers’ maintenance partner.

Have questions about the value of fluid analysis for OEMs? Contact us at custserv@eoilreports.com to learn more.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Published January 31, 2017

The Why, When and How of Diesel Fuel Testing

Diesel fuel testing is important for program health. This proactive maintenance approach can help you prevent engine failure, contamination and fuel dilution, among other types of equipment damage.

Why should I test diesel fuel?
Testing your diesel fuel can help you avoid engine failure, minimize the number of expensive repairs performed, and ensure the quality of the fuel. Additional issues to consider include:

Injector damage
Water and sediment contamination
Bacteria, fungi and mold
Reduced combustion efficiency
Impact of seasonal changes
Increased corrosion of fuel components
Plugged fuel filters
Smoking
Injector valve sticking
EPA compliance

When should I test diesel fuel?
When you should test depends on what equipment you’re using, the performance issues you’re experiencing, and the methods of storage you’re utilizing. To help you decide when to start testing, run through this list of questions:

Is my engine experiencing performance issues?
Should I perform basic testing on bulk delivery shipments?
Could contamination, sabotage or vandalism have occurred?
Are my bulk tanks being tested twice yearly?
Am I blending or treating my diesel fuel?

How can I start testing?
Taking action is simple. Our team can help you determine what you should test and when you should test in order to maximize program success.

If you have any questions, contact us at custserv@eoilreports.com.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Published January 23, 2017

Throwback to 1988

Flashback to 1988 when “Rain Man” first appeared on the silver screen and Ronald Reagan was serving his last full year as president. I was serving in the U.S. Army and stationed in Germany in an air defense unit. At that time, I held the rank of sergeant with a military occupation specialty (MOS) of 63Y20, Track Vehicle Mechanic.

The two images below are forms DA 1045, the official form used if you wanted to suggest any changes to the Department of the Army. I filled out and submitted these forms in March of 1988 with a suggestion that the army change their maintenance practice on M163A1 and M163A2 Vulcan Air Defense Guns.

The M163 series included 20mm Gatling Cannons mounted on the very popular M113 series armored personnel carriers. The maintenance practice at the time was to replace the oil and filters in the engine, transmission and all gear boxes on a 90 day interval, without consideration for hours on the oil. This time based interval of 90 days seemed to be a potential waste of lubricants, filters, labor and the added burden of waste disposal.

My suggestion was simple, rely on oil analysis results to determine the proper oil drain interval. We were already using the Army Oil Analysis Program (AOAP) to monitor the condition of components, why not use it to monitor the condition of the oil?

Since I submitted those reports, the industry has proceeded to evolve and, for many, using oil analysis to optimize drain intervals is now a common practice. Advances in technology have made handwritten reports, such as these, a thing of the past. I can only imagine how much easier my job would have been had I access to all of the tools available today.

If you’re interested in learning more about my experiences or how to optimize drain intervals by using oil analysis, feel free to email me at rclark@polarislabs.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Published January 16, 2017

Wall of Saves

One of the big focuses for the employees at POLARIS Laboratories^® is, “Why do we do what we do?” The answer is easy. We save equipment. We test oil, fuel and coolant and provide maintenance recommendations on the results. This keeps our customer’s equipment and their businesses operating smoothly. Everything we do comes back to the end goal of helping our customers.

One of the ways that we keep this idea in the forefront is by posting all of the equipment saves reported to us by our customers on our “Wall of Saves”. 2016 was a great year with 385 saves posted to the wall. A few of our favorites from the past year include:

We found fuel dilution in the diesel engine of a large crane. The customer saved $11,500 by replacing a fuel pump instead of having to do a complete engine rebuild.
By identifying elevated wear in the transmission of a combine, the owner only had to replace a small gear. This prevented the need for a $75,000 transmission overhaul.
Water was found in a dump truck hydraulic system due to a fill cap being left off. A cap replacement and oil change saved this customer $7,000 and caught the issue before a spongy hydraulic system put any people at risk.

How has using oil analysis helped your company? You can share your story using the actions taken feature of HORIZON^® or contact our data analysis team directly using the call number on your report. We’d love to add your big win to our wall of saves!

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Understanding Maintenance Types

Reactive: Something just broke, we need to fix it.

Preventive: Experts and manufacturers say something might break. We need to fix it when they say to fix it.

Predictive: Our technologies say something is about to break, so we need to fix it.

Proactive: Technology says something is about to break. We need to fix it and figure out what caused it.

The terms reactive, predictive, preventive and proactive maintenance are used a lot. Unfortunately, there is some confusion about where these terms should be used. Here is a guide to the proper use of these maintenance terms.

Reactive maintenance is reacting to a situation as it occurs. It is the most basic type of maintenance. There is virtually no thought put into this type of maintenance, and is the least cost effective – allowing extended downtime, unplanned outages and overtime to occur.

Preventive maintenance involves schedules and routines. The manufacturer recommends a lubricant change at 400 hours, so the lube change is scheduled to occur as close to 400 hours as possible. This is fairly easy to implement and is far more cost effective than reactive maintenance. However, it takes no outside influences into account, thus there is still unplanned downtime.

Predictive maintenance allows technology to look at each system and component individually and apply maintenance as it is needed. This can be expensive to set up and develop. However, once the program is established and maintained with properly trained and educated personnel, it will save far more money over time than a preventive maintenance program.

Proactive maintenance takes predictive maintenance further, figuring out there is a problem and then asking: What caused the problem? Could it have been prevented? How can it be fixed? The question is then pushed to resolution. It is predictive maintenance with an added RCA component.

Have questions? Contact our data analysis team directly using the call number on your report.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Saving.
Let us prove it to you.

A New Year, A New Bottle

The New Year is here and we can’t keep a lid on our excitement. As our holiday gift to you, we are providing a new sampling jar to our customers. While the bottle itself is not bigger, it is certainly better.

Keeping your concerns in mind, we’ve selected a bottle that is better equipped for sampling. Whether you have issues with leaks or are concerned about sample bottle cleanliness, this bottle is made for you.

What makes this bottle better?

It’s translucent, making it easier to see the color of the sample and the fill line.
It can withstand the higher temperatures that come with pulling high heat fluids.
The new cap design has a wedge seal to prevent leaks. The locking feature also helps ensure the cap doesn’t loosen when the sample jar cools.
When tested, this bottle’s cleanliness is comparable to the Super Clean ISO standards.
With the same volume and same threads, there’s no need to change the pumps.

If you have any questions about this change, contact us at custserv@eoilreports.com. In the meantime, keep an eye out for the new bottles!

One more thing…

Happy New Year from POLARIS Laboratories®!

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Happy Holidays from the POLARIS Laboratories® Family

‘Tis the season! Now is the time of the year where we gather together and enjoy the company of our friends and family. Whether you are spending this holiday season curled up by the fire or knee deep in snow, I hope you enjoy everything this time of year brings.

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is spending time with my family at POLARIS Laboratories^®. Whether it’s taking part in our annual gingerbread house competition or testing the dozens of desserts at our bake-off, I’m happy to spend time learning about my colleagues and celebrating the holiday season together.

Our team has put together a number of our own holiday traditions. One of my favorites is our holiday card contest. Here is what the little ones came up with this year.

It has been a wonderful year at POLARIS Laboratories^®, full of changes and exciting new opportunities. I want to thank you so much for playing such an important role in our business.

Happy holidays from our family to yours!

Q&A: Technical Business Consultants

Read this Q&A to learn how our technical business consultants, Randy Clark and Henry Neicamp, can help you improve your maintenance program.

What is a technical business consultant?

Randy: I once had someone tell me that a consultant is someone who ‘borrows your watch and then tells you what time it is’. In some ways, this is true. We take an in-depth look at our customers’ fluid analysis statistical data and use this information to assist them in narrowing the focus and priorities of their maintenance program, thus achieving their goals quickly and efficiently. These goals typically include reducing unplanned/unscheduled maintenance activities, reducing cost, and ultimately increasing production by improving equipment availability.

Henry: POLARIS Laboratories® technical business consultants are STLE certified to provide training and consulting services, along with data analysis services, in an effort to help the customer maximize the return on investment of their fluid analysis program and realize Proven Impact, Proven Uptime and Proven Savings!

How do you help our partners reach their reliability goals?

Randy: We accomplish this by first understanding the goals the customer wishes to achieve, we then perform a gap analysis to understand where the customer is today in relation to those goals, and then help develop a clear road map to the objective. We do this using our ‘hands on’ experience, knowledge of industry best practices, and in-depth knowledge of fluid analysis. We then combine our skills with the customer’s knowledge of their equipment. Along the way, we identify KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators) to monitor the progress. We also identify and share ‘quick wins’. Doing this accelerates the buy-in process among everyone involved and promotes the value of the program. Throughout the process, an emphasis on continuous improvement and training will play a key role.

Henry: The technical business consultants achieves this mission by providing consulting services, sales support, customer field support, and training for public and private sessions.

What is the most common problem you see in a newly created fluid analysis program?

Randy: Understanding the capabilities a quality fluid analysis program offers, and then aligning the goals of your program with those capabilities is essential. Many customers make a decision to start a fluid analysis program and yet do not ensure the test package selected is designed to meet those goals. Failing to properly identify, in advance, what equipment will be sampled, the frequency of the sampling interval, and the lack of proper training can be detrimental to the success of the program.

Henry: Customers do not take the time to determine the goals for their fluid analysis program (i.e. reduce downtime, extend oil drain intervals, reduce failures, extend equipment life expectancy, control maintenance and lubrication costs, etc). Secondly, customers do not submit a completed equipment list to POLARIS Laboratories® for input into our system prior to submitting their samples.

What is the best piece of advice you have for someone trying to improve their fluid analysis program?

Randy: Establish goals, monitor progress and uphold accountability. This is best accomplished by having a program champion within the organization. This champion will ensure samples are pulled on time and pulled correctly. They will also ensure proper maintenance activity occurs following the laboratories’ recommendation. The champion will monitor progress and continuous improvement of the program, through established KPI’s, and will work with both their team members and the laboratory to optimize the value of the program.

Henry: The single most important ingredient in a successful oil analysis program is a “champion” inside it. A “champion” is a person assigned to take the lead and focus on the fluid analysis program. A “champion” should be passionate to save the company money, while working from the inside to generate greater customer implementation/compliance. A “champion” promotes the importance of fluid analysis to all maintenance personnel, and facilitates the required “behavioral change”.

What is the best way to set up a training class?

Randy: It doesn’t get any easier than this. Simply contact a POLARIS Laboratories® technical business consultant. We look forward to discussing and preparing a customized training plan to meet the needs and goals of your organization.

Henry: Customers should contact their respective technical business consultant (east or west) directly via email or phone.

Contact Randy Clark at rclark@polarislabs.com or via phone at 317.808.3750 x. 1337.
Contact Henry Neicamp at hneicamp@polarislabs.com or via phone at 317.808.3750 x. 1339.

To learn more about our technical business consultants’ services, download their brochure.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

What is a Program Champion?

Program champions are the individuals responsible for ensuring your fluid analysis program is effective. The right program champion can provide you with the continuous leadership, visibility and accountability you need to ensure your fluid analysis program is headed in the right direction.

When choosing a program champion, make sure you identify an individual who is committed to your program and capable of overseeing the people, the process and the technology from start to finish. Choosing the right champion for your team is a necessary step to ensure your equipment remains up-and-running.

If you’re interested in securing your program success, I recommend you start developing your program champion today. To help your champion make the transition, we’ve put together a checklist to guide them through the right actions to take at start-up, daily, weekly, monthly and semi-annually.

Please feel free to download the program champion checklist. I also recommend you attend our February 3 webinar on the impact of a program champion. This 40 minute presentation is now open for registration. If you have any additional questions, please contact Randy Clark at rclark@polarislabs.com.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.