Diesel Outboards? Why Not?

Just because half the lakes in the country are covered with ice doesn't mean we can't think about the upcoming boating season. Eric Haun, editor of Marine News, wrote an interesting article last summer in Marine Link titled "Making the Case for Diesel Outboards." In it he shares insights about transitions taking place in the marine arena.

Haun begins by pointing out how more and more professionals are switching away from inboard motors to outboards on small military craft, workboats, patrol boats another others kinds of vessels that were historically inboard engine powered. This gives the boats several advantages including easier access to maintenance, quicker replacement and the extra space available inside the boat.

At this point the discussion turns to diesel outboards, which have advantages of their own, one of the foremost being fuel safety. The author writes, Compared to gasoline, diesel is a less flammable fuel and therefore much safer to work with in all working environments. In addition, with diesel engines the combustion of fuel takes place due to the heat generated by the compression of fuel and air inside the cylinder. Compression ignition is safer than petroleum being ignited by a spark plug, or any other spark.

One of Haun's sources was OXE Marine, a Sweden-based diesel outboard manufacturer. According to Myron Mahendra, CEO of OXE Marine, “Many vessels are hindered by regulations to carry petrol onboard if fire safe containment is not provided. The use of petrol is, therefore, a challenge for any vessel with tenders.”

He also spoke with U.K.-based Cox Powertrain, which makes diesel outboards as well. Cox noted that NATO has been pushing a single fuel idea, with the aim of maximizing equipment interoperability by using a single fuel option. This is one of the drivers behind the CXO300 diesel outboard Cox Powertrain has developed.

The end result here is that rescue vessels, naval and military vessels can refuel at the mother ship without being burdened with the hazard of highly volatile gasoline.

"Another benefit associated with diesel is efficiency," writes Haun. "Both Cox and OXE point to significant fuel savings compared to gas. Cox claims its 300-horsepower CXO300 offers roughly 30% fuel savings compared to its gasoline equivalent, while Mahendra says the 300-horsepower OXE 300, due to enter production shortly, uses up to 42% less fuel than a comparable gasoline outboard."

This fuel efficiency results in greater operational range so boats can stay out on the water longer.

Diesel outboards also have the usual advantages of diesel engines, including endurance, torque and flexibility. Though the price advantage goes to gas-powered outboards, one can make up the difference by comparing the life cycle costs of each and in most applications this would be fairly even.

The full article can be found here, with more photos as well.
https://www.marinelink.com/news/making-case-diesel-outboards-479456 

Got Snow Plows? Take Care of Those Hydraulic Systems with Champion Snow Plow Oil

It's that time of year. If you're a Northern Tier state you know what we're talking about. Snow. If you've never wondered how much our country spends on snow removal, it's not hard to find out. According to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), our states spend more than a billion dollars a year to keep our roads clear in winter. This includes both the equipment and the salt that is used to keep highways safe.

One thing most of these snowplows need is fuel and lubricants. You no doubt already have a fuel source. It may be that you're unaware that Champion Brands has a specially formulated show plow oil. Here some information worth knowing.

Champion Professional Grade Snow Plow Oil is a long-life hydraulic oil formulated with severely hydro-treated and hydro-finished API Group II base oils for improved oxidation resistance, viscosity retention and cold flow properties. This oil has excellent viscosity retention and cold-flow due to a very high viscosity index. Excellent protection against wear, corrosion and the build-up of sludge and varnish in the most demanding snowplow applications.

https://www.championbrands.com/professional-grade-snow-plow-hydraulic-fluid/

• Extended fluid life for longer service intervals
• Excellent filterability and cleanliness
• High thermal and oxidation stability
• Excellent demulsibility and air release
• Top-tier anti-wear performance
• Excellent cold-flow properties
• Forms thicker films at higher temperatures

Champion Professional Grade Snow Plow Oil meets or exceeds the following specifications:
• Parker (Denison) HF-0, HF-1, HF-2
• MAG (CM) P-68 (ISO 32), P-69 (ISO 46), P-70 (ISO 68
• GM LS-2
• Joy HO-T, HO-S, HO-T2
• AIST (US Steel) 126, 127
• DIN 51524-3, Type HLVP
• ASTM D6158, Type HV
• ISO 6743/4, Type HV
• Eaton M-2950-S, I·286-S3
• Bosch Rexroth RE 90220
• SEB 181222
• AFNOR NF E 48-603 (HV)
• SAE MS 1004, Type HV
• ANSI/AGMA 9005-E02-RO
• ISO 11158, Type HV
• Part# 4013H 12/1 QT 

* * *

If you're in the business of plowing snow you are probably aware of the Snow Plow Forum. If you're thinking of getting into it, and want to learn more, here's the link to an informative site on snow removal:
https://www.snowplowforums.com/threads/trucks-for-plowing-only-gas-or-diesel.9371/

Champion Brands Celebrates 65 Years in the Lubricant Business

Since its founding in 1956, Champion Brands has established itself as a stalwart of the oil industry. The following announcement came across the wire this morning. We share it here in case you don't catch it in one of your favorite diesel publications or resources.

 

(Clinton, Mo / 01.04.21) Champion Brands, LLC, a globally recognized industry manufacturer of chemicals, lubricants, brake fluids, motor oils and additives, announced this week a year-long 65th Anniversary Celebration in 2021.  Highlights of the year will be sponsorship of national & regional auto races, product contests, promotions, and special events.  

https://www.championbrands.com/

 

Originally Lowe Oil Co. founded by Ralph Lowe in 1956, Champion Brands, LLC is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants. Champion produces and blends more than 350 products including fuel, oil and engine additives, brake fluids and motor oils for the automotive, heavy truck, racing, performance, industrial, commercial, agricultural and specialty markets.  https://www.championbrands.com/products/

 

Champion understands the complexities of doing business in today’s market and is always looking for new and better ways to be more efficient and resourceful. Quality products are more than a commitment at Champion; high standards define the way it does business. Champion is an ISO 9001:2015 Certified and Registered Company.

 

The company uses top tier additives and base stocks to formulate products for outstanding wear protection, fuel economy, high temperature stability, long-life protection, improved efficiency, oxidation resistance, lower evaporation, increased performance, friction reduction, and lubricant compatibility across a wide range of engine operating conditions and applications.

 

Headquartered in Clinton, Missouri, just 75 miles southeast of Kansas City, Champion’s 450,000 square foot plant with 30 loading bays accommodates more than 1.7 million gallons of bulk storage with convenient rail siding.

The plant has 10 filling lines and several blow molding machines including two Bekum 406 production units capable of blowing PVC and HDPE bottles, one Bekum 807D with 6-layer capability for containers up to 5 gallons and one AOKI PET Blow Molding Machine. Depending on the particular configuration, Champion is capable of producing well over 100,000 bottles per day. Three resin silos with over ½ million-pound capacity supply the blow molders. 

https://www.championbrands.com/plant-tour/

 

The facility also houses state-of-the-art net weight and piston filling lines capable of filling 300+ containers per minute to exact weight specifications. Containers are de-palletized, labeled, filled, sealed, capped, coded, packed and palletized, using only 3 operators. Lines are capable of running metal, HDPE, PVC and PET containers in sizes ranging from 2.4 oz to 330 gallon totes.

 

The speed and versatility of these lines make it a high volume, cost effective solution for the many Fortune 500 companies that private label and package product with Champion. Fluid blending and storage capacity includes over 100 tanks ranging from 1.5K to 34K gallons for blending lubricants, brake fluids and various chemicals.

 

The collection of blending tanks feeds the elaborate pigging system designed to prevent cross-product contamination. Rail siding and tanker truck load/offload locations provide the versatility to receive/ship bulk fluids in sizes ranging up to 30,000-gallon rail cars.

 

Ten lubricant/chemical filling lines package engine oils, hydraulic fluids, specialty oils, fuel additives, and automotive fluids that include power steering fluid, brake fluid, tire sealant, etc. Each line has specific types of products that it can package. Bottles are labeled, capped, heat sealed (if needed), coded, placed into cartons, and loaded onto pallets.

 

Champion has a very modern testing laboratory. While the lab’s primary function is to test the performance of products before they are packaged, the lab also has the tools to perform elemental analysis of fluids to blueprint the various components of different fluids or test used fluid. The talented R&D team formulates the world’s most advanced, engineering-approved fluids that exceed API, ILSAC, ACEA, JASO, Dexos, and other OEM and global standards.

 

Champion formulates and provides custom packaging for private label products including mineral, semi-synthetic and full-synthetic engine oils, fuel treatments, brake fluids, hydraulic fluids, automotive additives and chemicals, and more. The product portfolio is one of the largest in the industry.  https://www.championbrands.com/private-label/

 

Good people are the heart of Champion Brands, LLC. Passion, dedication, knowledge and a can-do attitude drive the growth of this company.

 

For more information about Champion contact your nearest Champion Distributor, or call Champion at 660-890-6231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO, 64735 or go to http://www.championbrands.com

Blue Flame Diesel Oil: Buy Now Before the End of the Year

Oil rig photo by WORKSITE Ltd. on Unsplash

The price of oil has certainly been herky-jerky this year. Pandemic shutdowns in the spring resulted in a sharp decline in fuel prices to the extent that it was more profitable for many oil companies to leave it in the ground than pay to extract and transport it.

Prices at the pump declined as well, which was appreciated by those who were still on the road even though a lot of us were on the sidelines for a spell. By mid-summer, though, crude futures recovered to their target base of $40 and climbing, which helps keep oil companies solvent and truckers on the road. Then again, downstream fuel and oil prices are impacted. 

Apparently oil companies are not losing sleep over that short term hit and things are feeling pretty hopeful going forward. 

In the meantime, however, I saw some news from Champion that came across the wire today. The company has announced a price increase, which means that December might be a good time to stock up for 2021. Here's the story:

Champion Oil Announces MWD Price Increase Effective 2021  

(Clinton, MO 12.08.20) Champion Oil, a major player in development and manufacturing of semi-synthetic and full synthetic motor oils, announced that effective January 1st, 2021 there will be a price increase for Master Warehouse Distributors (MWD) and Private Label Customers.

 

“Champion attributes the increase to a number of factors, one being the recent round of base oil posting increases”, said Karl Dedolph of Champion Brands in Clinton, MO. “In addition, higher freight rates, corrugated packaging, and high demand for resin, caps and bottles due to the massive new/increased demand for cleaning/disinfecting products, which has caused the prices for those commodities to spike. And as is the case with nearly all businesses during the pandemic, the high cost to maintain safe operations and keep plant staffing levels sufficient to run as efficiently as possible.”

 

Why the price increase? https://jobbersworld.com/2020/10/20/why-the-price-increases/

 

It should be noted that Champion Oil, who manufactures primarily synthetic and semi-synthetic motor and engine oils, is not in a direct parallel or correlation with crude oil pricing volatility. The development in creating the base stocks and additives for these oils is a very arduous and expensive process and only in a very small part associated with crude oil.

 

There's little doubt today that synthetics are now superior over conventional mineral based products in almost all scenarios. They feature resistance to high temperature oxidation, good film strength, lower volatility, stable viscosity, improved cold-flow and extended drain interval opportunities.  These properties ultimately result in better operation and life expectancy of engines, gears and other equipment.  This is especially true under harsh or extreme operating conditions.

 

About the company: Champion Brands, LLC, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 645 years. Champion also produces and blends over 350 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the racing, automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information call Champion at 660-890-6231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO, or go to http://www.championbrands.com

Need Some Blue Flame Diesel Oil? Visit JD Supply on Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is an American shopping holiday held during the Saturday after Thanksgiving during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. Small Business Saturday is always the last weekend in November, so falls between November 24 and November 30.

First observed in the United States in 2010, Small Business Saturday is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature big-box retail and on-line e-commerce stores respectfully. By contrast, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and often forgotten.

 

Founded in 2014 by Justin Lulay, JD Supply is small, family-owned business located in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Fueled by his love of cars and background in the farming industry, Justin wanted to provide top quality parts and products to other surrounding farms and businesses. Word caught on, the business grew and JD Supply was born. https://www.jdsupplyllc.com/

 

They provide the diesel parts you need for your ride whether it's exterior, interior or performance related. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or needs you may have about their products. Located in Sublimity, Oregon; be sure to email sales@jdsupplyllc.com or call 503-551-5815 before you come.

 

They are offering the Champion Blue Flame “Classic” 15w-40 Performance Diesel Engine Oil 

 

And Champion Blue Flame API 15w-40 Performance Diesel Engine Oil  

Why is Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil Blue?

Blue has been an important color in art since ancient times. Surveys show that blue is the color most commonly associated with security, trust, and loyalty. And it’s chosen by a majority of both men and women around the world as their favorite color. 

Champion dyes its Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils for several reasons. The robust chemical formula is unique and provides an industry-leading performance to meet the needs of both older and next generation heavy-duty engines, thus providing users the security of knowing that the blue oil is protecting them. The blue color also allows the quick-lube, fleet, or end-user to have absolute assurance and trust that no substitute engine oil is being installed. Also, Blue Flame creates a loyalty from followers that always ask for the “Blue Oil”.

 

“Champion Blue Flame Diesel Oils will forever be recognizable and have a distinctive appearance”, said Karl Dedolph, director of racing and performance products at Champion Brands, LLC. “It’s a huge plus when someone doesn’t even have to see the label to know it’s a Blue Flame product – the color alone is enough to identify the diesel engine oil. The dye is chemically balanced when it is blended and does not create any kind of lubricant issue or problem with additives or base stock.”

 

“The blue dye doesn’t leave a residue in the engine. In fact, the oil over time will turn and look black in color. It’s actually soot, which the diesel engine produces in much higher levels than gasoline motors. The soot enters the oil pan from the combustion chamber due to the gap in the piston rings. The black color, which is very common, doesn’t mean the oil has a problem,” added Dedolph.

 

Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils are formulated with workhorse high-zinc performance additives, superior protection, advanced polymer technology, and high TBN, supported by a carrier blend of synthetic fluids.

 

In addition, Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils deliver unmatched high temperature film strength and lubricity protection, with the muscle to combat oil shear and maximize sustained cylinder compression. They also inhibit oxidation, corrosive acids, sludge and varnish build-up.

 

These oils keep your engines going longer by reducing soot-induced engine wear, controlling abrasive soot contamination and preventing high temperature corrosion, even while allowing for improved fuel economy and lower total cost of ownership. They are proven to increase engine horse power and torque.

Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils are purpose built for extreme protection and performance. https://www.championbrands.com/diesel-engine-oils/

What’s your favorite color? And if it's blue, what kind of blue? Cerulean? Teal? Turquoise? Royal? Navy? Ultramarine? Tell us in the comments below.

Next time you need oil for your Cummins, Powerstroke or Duramax, ask for that “Blue Oil.”

Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil. 

The Impact of the Pandemic on Oil and Gas

This summer I was talking with a friend from Texas about the situation there with regard to oil and gas. When the market price of oil goes below a certain point, he said, they just shut everything down and leave it in the ground. That's because it costs more to bring it to market than they will get when they sell it. The oil rigs are thus left idle.

It's been a tough year for the oil industry. The Covid pandemic has dealt a lot of people a bad hand, but we have to play the cards we're dealt. 

I remember a number of years back when the six top companies in the Fortune 50 were automakers and energy companies. Mobil and Shell were slugging it out for the top slot for a while back then. Remarkable as it seems, Mobil was dropped from the Dow Jones Industrial Average this summer. Today the five biggest companies are technology giants. According to the Washington Post, any one of the top five--Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft--is larger than all 76 companies in the energy sector combined.

Yes, you read that right. 

Part of this is due the long term trend toward renewable energy. Nevertheless, the pandemic has done more than make a dent. When people stop flying, and people stop driving to work every day--in other words, when people stay home they consume less fuel. Combine this with an oil glut due to other factors and you have additional hurdles for the energy companies.  

It's not all bleak news for oil companies. With people in larger cities avoiding public transportation, many are buying cars again. In addition, large numbers of city dwellers are considering leaving city life altogether. Moving to the burbs means more driving as well.

The author also points out that with people shopping less, there are more deliveries being made by Fedex, UPS and other providers. Those engines need to be taken care of as well.

_______

I began by mentioning that conversation with my friend in Texas. I'd been thinking a lot about the relationship between prices of crude and prices at the pump for diesel owners. As it turns out, there happens to be a Technical Bulletin at the Champion tech bulletins page titled Why Lubricant Prices Don't Mirror Crude Prices. In this case it's information from the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA). 

The article begins, "Changes in the prices of lubricants, and the base oils that are their foundation, do not mirror either those of crude oil or gasoline. Supply and demand over time is the fundamental price-setting mechanism for lubricants and base oils." You can read the full story here.

You can find that and other useful information by clicking on the Diesel Technical Bulletins button in the right hand column above. And if you can't find what you're looking for you can always Ask Jake.

The rest of the information here is from an article titled How the pandemic is harming the oil and gas industry. 

Navajo Refinery photo by Robin Sommer on Unsplash

Champion Oil Offers Incentives to WDs

While Democrats and Republicans wrangle over the stimulus package details for small businesses, I thought it worth mentioning that Champion Brands announced some incentives for entrepreneurs and small businesses in the diesel market. Specifically, they've recently created a special  incentives program to become a Champion Warehouse Distributor (WD) or MWD selling Blue Flame Performance Diesel Engine Oils. 

According to the PR that was published in Engine Builder:

The newly released incentive is a low-cost buy-in at the WD level for smaller businesses that includes free freight, web location posting, press release, POP, banners, literature, MAP pricing, and a featured interview on the Champion Blue Flame Diesel Blog. 

Champion also offers a Master Warehouse Distributor (MWD) program that is available for larger sized businesses interested in wholesale distribution of Champion’s Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils.

I like the bennies here. I also like the fact that they're not being passive about the economic doldrums caused by our pandemic. You can read the full story here at EngineBuilderMag.com.

________

FWIW Dept: 
Have a technical question and you don't know where to turn? Ask Jake. Click on the ASK JAKE button here at the right.