PowerManager "Powermanager Tips"

The higher horsepower, low-emission engines, and high-capacity hydraulics of today's equipment requires care in not only maintaining your equipment at the recommended operator manual intervals, but also using fluids and filters that will maximize your equipment's life and keep operating costs as low as possible.

Use the right fluids and filters

With more productive equipment, the demands on engine oil, coolant and hydraulic/transmission fluids are becoming tougher. Although they might look the same, different fluids and filters can have big differences in their performance.

Today's low-emissions engines are running hotter, producing more power, retaining more soot, and using higher fuel pressures compared to older engines. Engine oil needs to lubricate and clean under these increasingly tough conditions. The lubrication requirements of farm equipment engines are more demanding than those of cars and trucks. For example, larger tractors and combines regularly use 90% or more of their available horsepower while on-highway trucks typically use a little more than half of their available horsepower. New Holland MasterGold engine oil is formulated to meet these constant, high-load operations.

Engine oil filters need to remove particles as small as 5 microns that can cause damage in the tight tolerances and high loads of new engines. New Holland oil filters in TG and TJ tractors, for example, use a special stacked disc media that provides this high level of filtration. Similarly, New Holland fuel filters offer the level of protection required by high-pressure emissions-compliant fuel systems.

Beyond heat removal, coolant plays an important role in protecting internal engine passages. Coolant must be formulated to prevent cavitation

erosion of cylinder liners, water pump corrosion, radiator solder bloom and seal deterioration. New Holland dealers offer coolant in pre-mixed solutions with high-quality de-ionized water to prevent scaling and to assure coolant quality since many local water sources have excessive contaminants.

Hydraulic systems moving more fluid

Hydraulic systems are moving larger quantities of fluid at higher pressures. Contamination risks are great. Dirt can be introduced at the couplers and the fluid contained in implements can carry dirt and moisture. It's no surprise that many in the equipment industry estimate that 70% of all transmission and hydraulic system failures are fluid related.

New Holland hydraulic filters are designed to capture the high amounts of dirt and moisture that can enter the system. New Holland MasterTran hydraulic/transmission fluid, recommended for TG and TJ tractors, is widely regarded for its superior moisture tolerance and corrosion resistance. It also carries an additive pack that provides optimal wear protection for hydraulic and transmission components, and has controlled frictional characteristics for safe, smooth operation of wet brakes and clutches.

Tips to help you protect your equipment

Use the recommended fluids and filters, and change them at the recommended intervals. By doing this, you will greatly prolong the life of your equipment.
Systemgard lubrication analysis helps you monitor engine and hydraulic system condition through oil and hydraulic fluid analysis. Systemgard is available through New Holland dealers.
Test strips are available to monitor SCA concentrations in coolant. Use them before each scheduled coolant filter change to be sure SCA levels are adequate to protect cylinder liners, water pumps and other engine internals.

What do I need to do for winter battery care?

Batteries that are cold and only partially charged can't perform satisfactorily because the power required to turn over equally cold engines increases dramatically when the temperatures drop. During winter, it's a good idea to regularly check the state-of-charge on equipment batteries and give them a service charge if necessary. This can be especially useful before leaving equipment parked for a long period of time during winter storage.

In winter, partially discharged batteries face another danger: discharge lowers the specific gravity of the electrolyte and brings it closer to the density of water, increasing the risk that the electrolyte will freeze. A reasonably well-charged battery is at risk to freeze at temperatures below –60°F, but a 50% discharged battery may experience freezing at about –20°F and a more deeply discharged battery could be in trouble at +10°F. It pays to keep your batteries well charged!

It's important to test the charge on your equipment's battery, especially during the cold winter months. If not fully charged, the electrolyte in your battery can freeze at temperatures as high as 10°F.