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Shell Donax T_ Oils… There’s One Right for Your Transmission Needs

Oil Heat—It’s not your Grandma’s Heater Anymore

Donax T is the name Shell gave to their line of quality performance transmission oils.  Whether you need a heavy duty oil for your over-the-road semi, your 500 hp tractor, or a synthetic for your ½ ton pickup, Shell has the transmission fluid for you. 

On– and off-road equipment operators were able to use motor oil for both the engine and transmission, but recent advances in oil and transmission materials have made this more and more difficult.  Consider this from the “Shell Answer-Man:” 

The Cat TO-4 spec covers lubrication for Caterpillar "power shift" transmissions. These transmissions have clutch packs made up of a variety of materials, including paper, composite and various metals.

Some of the additives used in today's engine oils are not compatible with some of the materials in the power shift clutch pack, and don't provide the required frictional characteristics.

Up until the early '80s, engine oils weren't required to contain the same kinds or amounts of ashless dispersants as they are today. During the '70s, for example, an engine oil could be used to lubricate a Cat transmission without the same adverse effects. But equipment and oil requirements have both changed, and modern engine oils will not meet TO-4 specifications.

Overall, we agree that keeping engine oils in the engine, and transmission fluids in the transmission, will give better performance and longer equipment life. Our recommendation for meeting the Cat TO-4 spec is Shell DONAX TC.

 Laughlin Oil Co. has the right Donax T oil in stock, ready to deliver,  that meets your equipment needs. 

As Pacific Pride expands the number of sites that can accept the “Blue” magnetic card, we feel that it is important that we review the benefits of using the new technology that many of our customers already use.

·       Since the Blue card is a satellite based network, we have the ability to cancel a card within about 20 minutes, when necessary.  The optical card can take up to 24 hours for a card lock-out to spread through out the network.

·       Fueling restriction controls are much more functional.  With the old Optical card we could limit employee purchases by transaction.  Using the controls of the Blue card we can limit purchases by hour of the day, if necessary.  So it’s simple to restrict card use to, say, 20 gallons per day on M-F only.  Almost any other combination is possible to help stem employee abuse of cardlock fueling.

To discuss your fleet’s fueling control requirements, give Tom or Rene a call today.

Before you choose the lowest cost hydraulic oil to put in that equipment, take a moment to consider why oil companies offer several quality levels of oil in addition to various viscosities.  Recently the way lubricant base oils are refined have undergone significant improvements.  The hydraulic oil you used just 5 years ago has become a lesser grade oil because the standard oils are so much improved. 

Shell offers at least 4 grades of hydraulic oil in each viscosity.  They range from a very cheap oil to synthetic and biodegradable products.  Our Shell AW 46 is a economical product suitable for systems requiring occasional topping off.  It doesn’t stand up to excessive pressure and temperatures as well as the better quality Shell Tellus Plus 46.  If your system is tightly closed and rarely needs to have oil added, using Tellus Plus will protect your pump against wear and varnish under more extreme conditions.

Tellus Plus is Shell’s general recommendation for most hydraulic systems.  It excels in mobile systems where small amounts of water may be present, and in industrial systems where fine filtration is required.  However, if you need to trim costs and don’t operate under high temperature and/or pressure, talk to Tom in our office to see if Shell AW Hyd. 46 will work for you.

If we don’t have it on hand we usually are able to provide next day service. Next time you are looking for an air operated pump for your oil, or maybe a 12 volt pump for the "nurse-tank" in your pick-up, think of Laughlin Oil – we can save you money!

Get your Antifreeze now! Just print out the Virtual Coupons and bring the one for oil with you when you come in to get your Rotella Extended Life Coolant or Shellzone Antifreeze