Case Study: Flesch Arbeitsbühnen | Petro-Canada Lubricants

“Using HYDREX Extreme gives me a feeling of security. There have been no hydraulic-related system failures in two years, and that speaks for itself,” says Flesch. “We are saving money, I am able to plan maintenance schedules more efficiently and I no longer need to think about mixing products.”

Gerhard Flesch,
Managing Partner,
Flesch Arbeitsbühnen

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The Challenge

Flesch relies on hydraulic systems in the operation of its work platforms. The hydraulic system must operate quietly and smoothly in order to satisfy customers and ensure that workers remain safe. As the company provides a wide range of work platforms, each with different hydraulic pumps, various hydraulic fluids used to be required. This meant Flesch had to keep an extensive stock of various hydraulic fluids at differing viscosities in storage. In some cases, it was also found that the temperature limits of the hydraulic pumps were being reached and even exceeded during intensive periods of use, such as during frequent starting and stopping or at locations with a high ambient temperature. As the machines automatically switch off at 80°C in order to cool down, work sometimes had to be interrupted. This meant Flesch needed the following:

A hydraulic fluid with a long service life
A multigrade hydraulic oil that could be used in a range of hydraulic pumps
A solution to the problem

The Solution

Flesch eventually switched to HYDREX Extreme from Petro-Canada, which offers a high viscosity index (VI). By using HYDREX Extreme, Flesch is able to better plan their maintenance activities and reduce its storage costs. As it now uses only one hydraulic fluid at all temperatures, Flesch can fill all of its hydraulic systems with the same hydraulic oil without having to mix different fluids. Thanks to the viscosity properties of HYDREX Extreme, it is easier for heat to dissipate from the hydraulic system, meaning the oil can also cool down quicker. “Since I started using HYDREX Extreme, we have not had a single instance of a work platform becoming jammed,” explains Flesch.

The Result

“Using HYDREX Extreme gives me a feeling of security. I know that I can rely on my systems – because HYDREX Extreme is reliable. There have been no hydraulic-related system failures in two years, and that speaks for itself,” says Flesch. “We are saving money, I am able to plan maintenance schedules more efficiently and I no longer need to think about mixing products. It is an elegant solution.” HYDREX Extreme offers superb lubricant properties and extends maintenance intervals. This leads to reduced downtime and maintenance costs, thereby increasing productivity.