CLARK FORKLIFT OIL FILTER

Engine lubricating oil of any vehicle, let alone forklift trucks, is usually referred to as the blood of the vehicle’s engine. This is not simply because the oil flows throughout the engine, but mainly because it performs certain functions crucial for maintaining the engine’s performance and extending its service life. Clark forklift engine oils are of two different types: synthetic and mineral. While the composition of these two oils are totally different, you should make sure that your oil meets the qualification criteria put forth by the American Petroleum Institutes (API). Furthermore, you should also be aware of the various factors impacting your forklift engine oil, which will be discussed in detail further.

Forklifts operating excess of engine load, idle time, heat, cold, and floating contaminants have adverse impacts on engine oil. Life of the engine will get affected due to excessive heat that will extirpate oil and form engine deposits. Similarly, excessive cold will restrain lubrication of oil at start-up and can also create unnecessary moisture. Excessive engine loads produce excess heat, demanding the cooling system to work intensely, leading to frequent maintenance of the system. Excessive idle time will cause more unburned fuel to reach the oil, causing insufficient lubrication and oil dilution. And finally, excessive exposure to contaminants would burden even the best filtration system.

Harmful Contaminants

When contaminants accumulate, forklift engine oil decays and becomes unsuited for service. Some of these harmful contaminants are:

• Dirt and dust: The design of certain engine components allow the entry of dirt and dust into the forklift engine. This also occurs when oil is sent from one storage tank to another. Contaminants present in the oil can interrupt the combustion of engine and wear out the injectors.
• Water: Engine combustion generates steam or water vapor. During high engine temperatures, vapor moves out through the exhaust. But, during low engine temperatures, like during warm up, start up, or when operated for a short period in low environment temperatures, the vapor becomes a liquid (condenses) and enter the oil from storage tanks, leading to corrosion, reduced lubricity, and sludge. This can damage many of the system’s components.
• Metal fragments: When forklift engine components wear down, they produce minute metal fragments that will be gathered and distributed by the engine oil. Also, particles like dirt and dust are known to create more rough metal fragments that further move to the engine. Engine oil filters help in preventing most such particles from moving to the engine.
• Air: Easily enters the engine through fuel line or connection leakages.
• Dilution: When there is a problem in the engine, causing it to function abnormally, unburned fuel are amassed on the cylinder’s exterior, which starts leaking and causes reduced oil viscosity. Dilution augments oil consumption and reduces its film strength as well. Though this may be a small issue, it can still be hazardous in forklifts being operated for multiple short shifts.

How does the oil filter remove contaminants?

• Contaminated fuel reaches the oil filter by way of holes in the thread plate or baffle.
• As the contaminants pass the filter, they get removed.
• Specially designed filter media separates water from the oil.
• This water then comes together and gets collected in the spin-on bowl’s lower cavity.
• After removal of contaminants in this manner, clean oil is transferred to other parts of the system via the center tube.
• The forklift operator should remember to drain the collected water every day before starting the engine.

Dents on Oil Filters

Dents on oil filters can be because of improper installation, which in turn can cause the filter to crack. Remember not to use a cracked oil filter, may it be before or during installation. If the filter is dented after installation, replace it immediately. The money you would spend on replacing a damaged oil filter will be much less when compared to that you would have to spend for the damages that may be caused by a dented filter during operation.

Oil Filter Maintenance

• When you refuel your truck every day, do not forget to drain water from the filter.
• Always have a spare oil filter, so you can replace it if there is an issue.
• Do not keep changing your filters, as it would reduce the life of injector and fuel pump.
• Whatever fuel you use, always make sure that it meets up with the current quality standards.

While Clark manufactures its forklift spare parts in Louisville, Kentucky for distribution all across North America, you can always get yours from the most reliable Solid Lift Parts.