Lubricants & Additives Explained: Oils, Fuel Additives & More
Lubricants & Additives Explained: A Complete Guide
From tractors and agricultural machinery to commercial vehicles, heating systems and industrial equipment, lubricants and additives play an important role in keeping equipment working efficiently.
But with so many different products available, it can be difficult to know which lubricant you need, what a fuel additive actually does, and whether your machinery would benefit from one.
In this guide, we will explain the different types of lubricants and additives, what they’re used for and how choosing the right product can help protect your equipment.
Tate Oil supplies a wide range of lubricants, oils and fuel additives for domestic, agricultural and commercial customers, working with trusted suppliers including GB Lubricants.
What are lubricants?
Lubricants are substances used to reduce friction between moving parts.
When machinery operates, components can move against each other at high speeds and under significant pressure. Without adequate lubrication, friction can increase wear and generate heat, potentially affecting the performance and lifespan of components.
Different machinery requires different types of lubricants. Engine oil, hydraulic oil, transmission fluid and grease all have different properties and are designed for different applications.
Choosing the correct lubricant for your equipment is therefore an important part of routine maintenance.
What are the different types of lubricants?
There isn’t one lubricant that works for every vehicle or machine. The right product depends on the equipment, application and manufacturer’s specifications.
Engine oil
Engine oil is used to lubricate the internal components of an engine.
It helps reduce friction between moving components and is an essential part of engine maintenance.
There are numerous grades and specifications of engine oil available, so it’s important to check your vehicle or machinery manufacturer’s recommendations before selecting a product.
Tate Oil stocks common grades of lubricants in a range of pack sizes and can also help with specialist requirements.
Hydraulic oil
Hydraulic oil is used in hydraulic systems to transfer power while lubricating and protecting the system’s components.
Hydraulic systems are found in many types of agricultural, construction and commercial machinery.
Using the correct hydraulic oil for your equipment can help maintain the performance of the hydraulic system and protect its components.
Transmission and gear oils
Transmission and gear oils are designed to lubricate components within transmissions and gear systems.
They are formulated for applications where components are subject to pressure, friction and high operating loads.
As with engine oil and hydraulic oil, the correct specification is important. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations before selecting a transmission or gear oil.
Grease
Grease is a thicker lubricant used to protect and lubricate components where a liquid oil may not be suitable.
It is commonly used on bearings, joints, pins and other moving components across agricultural and commercial machinery.
Regular greasing can form an important part of preventative machinery maintenance.
What are fuel additives?
Fuel additives are products that are added to fuel to provide specific properties or help address particular fuel-related issues.
Different additives have different purposes. Depending on the product, they may be designed to help with:
- Fuel storage
- Cold-weather performance
- Fuel contamination
- Wax formation
- Sludge
- Deposits
- Fuel system cleanliness
- Fuel stability
The important thing to remember is that not every additive is suitable for every fuel or application.
The correct product will depend on the type of fuel you’re using, the equipment involved and what you’re trying to achieve.
What is an anti-wax additive?
Cold temperatures can affect diesel and gas oil.
As temperatures fall, wax crystals can form within fuel. In certain conditions, this can contribute to filter plugging and affect fuel flow.
Tate Oil’s Anti-Wax additive is formulated to improve the cold-flow and handling properties of diesel and gas oil. It is designed as a preventative treatment to help reduce the potential for wax crystal formation.
It can be particularly useful:
- When temperatures are forecast to fall below -5°C
- During the transition between summer and winter-grade fuel
- Where winter-grade fuel is required throughout the year
- As a preventative measure against fuel waxing
The recommended treatment rate is 1 litre of Anti-Wax per 1,000 litres of fuel. Importantly, the product is designed to be used preventatively and will not resolve fuel that has already waxed.
What are fuel storage additives?
Fuel that is stored for longer periods can be susceptible to deterioration and contamination.
Fuel storage additives are designed for particular storage-related requirements and can help maintain fuel quality.
This can be particularly relevant for farms, businesses and other customers who hold significant quantities of fuel on site.
The appropriate treatment will depend on the fuel being stored, how long it is stored for and the specific issue you’re trying to address.
What are diesel additives?
Diesel additives are a type of fuel additive specifically designed for use with diesel fuel.
Depending on the formulation, diesel additives can be used for different purposes, including improving fuel properties, protecting fuel systems, supporting fuel storage or addressing particular fuel-related problems.
Tate Oil supplies a range of diesel and gas oil additives, including Diesel Supreme, Diesel Power Restorer, Power Boost, Gas Oil Conditioner, Gas Oil Supreme and Anti-Bug products.
Because different products perform different functions, it’s important to choose an additive based on the actual application rather than simply choosing any diesel additive.
What are anti-bug fuel additives?
“Fuel bug” refers to microbial contamination that can develop where water is present in stored fuel.
Fuel contamination can cause problems such as sludge and blocked filters, potentially affecting equipment and fuel systems.
Tate Oil supplies products including Anti-Bug Protect and Anti-Bug Kill, designed for different fuel-treatment applications.
If you suspect microbial contamination in stored fuel, it’s important to identify the cause and choose an appropriate treatment rather than simply adding a product without investigating the underlying issue.
Lubricants and additives for agricultural machinery
Agricultural machinery can place significant demands on lubricants and fuel.
Tractors, harvesters, loaders and other farm equipment can operate for long periods, often under heavy loads and challenging conditions.
Using the correct lubricants and maintaining fuel quality can therefore form an important part of a farm’s machinery maintenance routine.
Tate Oil supplies agricultural customers with a range of products designed for different machinery and applications, alongside agricultural fuels.
For farms, this can include products such as:
- Engine oils
- Hydraulic oils
- Tractor lubricants
- Greases
- Antifreeze
- Diesel additives
- Gas oil additives
- Fuel storage treatments
Tate Oil supplies fuel to thousands of agricultural customers and offers lubricants alongside its agricultural fuel range.
Why is choosing the right lubricant important?
Using the correct lubricant isn’t simply about keeping machinery running.
The right lubricant can help:
Reduce friction
Lubricants create a protective layer between moving components.
Reduce wear
Proper lubrication helps protect components from unnecessary friction and wear.
Support equipment performance
Using the correct specification helps ensure the lubricant is appropriate for the application.
Support preventative maintenance
Regularly checking oil and lubrication requirements can help identify potential maintenance issues before they become larger problems.
For businesses and farms, preventative maintenance can be particularly important because unexpected machinery downtime can disrupt operations.
How do you choose the right lubricant or additive?
If you’re unsure which product you need, start with these questions:
- What equipment are you using?
A tractor, commercial vehicle, generator and heating system may all require different products.
- What does the manufacturer recommend?
Always check the manufacturer’s handbook or technical specification before selecting an oil or lubricant.
- What fuel are you treating?
An additive designed for diesel won’t necessarily be suitable for heating oil, kerosene or another fuel.
- What problem are you trying to solve?
Are you trying to improve cold-weather performance, manage stored fuel, address contamination or simply maintain your equipment?
The answer can help determine which product is appropriate.
- How is your fuel stored?
Fuel that is stored for extended periods can have different requirements from fuel that is regularly used and replenished.
Lubricants, oils and additives from Tate Oil
Tate Oil supplies a comprehensive range of lubricants, oils and additives for domestic, agricultural and commercial applications.
The range includes products such as:
- Engine oils
- Hydraulic oils
- Lubricants
- Anti-wax additives
- Diesel additives
- Gas oil additives
- Fuel storage treatments
- Anti-bug treatments
- Antifreeze
- Grease
- AdBlue
- Specialist fuel additives
Tate Oil can supply AdBlue in drums, IBCs or by bulk consignment, providing options for businesses operating vehicles and machinery that require regular AdBlue supplies.
With common grades available in a variety of pack sizes and specialist requirements available on request, Tate Oil can help customers find products suited to their particular application.
Need help choosing a lubricant or additive?
Choosing the right lubricant or additive doesn’t have to be complicated.
If you’re unsure which product is suitable for your vehicle, machinery or fuel, the Tate Oil team can help you identify the right option for your requirements.
From agricultural machinery and commercial vehicles to heating systems and fuel storage, Tate Oil supplies lubricants, oils and additives alongside its wider fuel range.
Get in touch with Tate Oil to discuss your requirements.
