06/27/2024
CHOOSING THE RIGHT L**E CONTAINERS FOR EQUIPMENT TOP UPS
There are assorted styles and configurations of jugs and lid types out there. Choosing the right one for your needs has many factors. Number one being cost. The proper equipment ranges in cost depending on lid type, pump, and container. Many clients are turning to closed loop filling and adding contamination control breathers to their top up equipment. This can be costly depending on the choice of the client but can save some huge headaches down the road.
The most widely used is The OilSafe™ System. Oilsafe™ has been around for over two decades and has been the preferred oil transfer management system for leading companies around the world. It has been rebranded by many companies and remains the most common used transfer system in the world.
Around the same time, I-Can™ was introduced with improvements to lids for closed lid filling and adding breathers or quick couplers and a new colour management system. One colour Lid with the option of adding coloured labels, bands and inlaying the lids with coloured inserts. Although I-can™ disappeared momentarily in the early 2010’s and was rebranded by L**erite™, it has returned under the I-Can™ name and still has the same quality as ever.
In the early 2000’s Trico Corp was the first to rebrand Oilsafe™ until the last half decade or so when they developed the Spectrum™ system. This was an innovative idea adding a rectangular style jug with low tip ability and new pour spout and storage options.
Around the same time Des-Case™ came out with their Iso-Link™ system as with I-Can™ they had one colour, but with ability to designate l**e by colour with various spout colours. They are also able to be up fitted with quick couplers and a contamination control breather.
Some companies still use open top plastic and metal containers, and some are still using jerry cans as well as pails and funnels. This is not ideal when trying to reduce contamination and avoid environmental spills and incorrect volume into sumps, reducers, gear boxes, hydraulic reservoirs, and automatic l**e systems on bearings etc.
Although we have been distributing all the systems for the last 24 years, we have received positive and negative feedback on all of them. We have not found any to be inferior to another, and again it is based on a client need and level of contamination control.
Hand pumps.
As a distributor in Canada our clients have expressed concern with some of the rigid plastic components breaking easily in cold temperatures, primarily on the connections of the dispense hose to the hand pump. Our clients have had issues with the hoses being stiff in the cold and the compatibility with various lubricants. They do not react well with mineral oils and barrier fluids and become hard, stiff, and brittle. Not all brands offer longer hoses but assure they are soon to be readily available. Some companies offer dust caps and plugs for their pumps. We have customized hoses, lengths, and end connections for two decades to suit our clients needs. A recent addition to pumps for jugs is the new BOP-20 18V Battery operated system. BOP-20 can deliver 1.5 gallons per minute up to ISO 140 around forty degrees Celsius, they are compatible with all four systems and can be used on Pails as well. No more hand pumping. The Primary Draw back is they cannot be used in most hazardous locations due to spark potential. This can be overcome by obtaining correct permits based on company Hazard Policies.
Closed fill options and contamination control upgrades.
Most systems do have options built in for the addition of closed fill couplers to avoid opening the lid, exposing the l**e to the elements, or ingesting airborne particles as well as avoiding accidental spillage. Proactive L**e Manager has been customizing lids or jugs as needed to add this convenience for two decades. We continue to suggest adding a minimum 10µm breather. Desiccant options are available as well.
Colour coding by l**e type is important in reducing the risk of lubricant cross contamination.
All systems have up to ten colours available. Options would vary by lid colour, spout colour, a collar on pump, bands, or inserts. Some companies offer simple labels included or a place to mark them appropriately, or even using symbols to expand their options. I was impressed with Iso-Link as they added white to their colour line up. We have had the ability to print custom tags and vinyl labels for our clients for years. We have worked with our clients to expand their colour/lubricant charts and standards by engaging with them to create l**e by colour policies. Most clients carry multiple viscosities of the same l**e type, this can be challenging with limited colours, but can be over come by using a colour by additive package. Giving the opportunity to add or drop the colours available. We worked with Petro- Canada/Suncor to develop a l**e colour policy based on this.
Lid Ergonomics and pour spouts.
All systems have comfortable handles on their jugs. Spectrum jugs have multiple handles for carrying them as well as being able to use two handed operation. The spout lids on spectrum jugs turn 180 degrees for easy storage in cabinets or on shelving. Each company have either ¼,” ½” or 1” pour spouts. Oil Safe, Iso-Link and I-Can have added handles on their Storage/Pump lids. Whether an air breather is installed or not, each of the pour spout lids have on off switches, buttons, or a trigger to allow the jug to breathe when pouring as well as a closeable nozzle at the tip. It should be noted that lids from other manufacturers fit on other jugs, the large threads are compatible, just how the jug handles line up with spout lids vary.
Jugs and Jug sizes.
Oil safe has jugs in various volumes 1.5, 2, 3, 5 and 10 Liters. Spectrum Oil Containers are available in 4, 8, 11, and 15 Liter sizes. Iso-Link containers come in 4, 7, 10 Liter sizes. I-Can jugs come in 5 and 10 Liters. All the Lids from each company are compatible with others jugs and we have mixed and matched in the past based on clients needs and preference. We were the first company to introduce 20-Liter containers with a specific thread adapter to compliment a hand pump. We use an Oil safe HD hand pump as they are the only pumps with the ability to put breathers and quick couplers on them.
There are some options out there, and in some cases a few cost decisions to make when it comes to choosing the right l**e top up system.
Proactive L**e Manager does not prefer one product to another. No matter which brands a client chooses, we are dedicated to ensuring that we can control contamination of the lubricants to desired level.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT L**E CONTAINERS FOR EQUIPMENT TOP UPS
There are assorted styles and configurations of jugs and lid types out there. Choosing the right one for your needs has many factors. Number one being cost. The proper equipment ranges in cost depending on lid type, pump, and container. Many clients are turning to closed loop filling and adding contamination control breathers to their top up equipment. This can be costly depending on the choice of the client but can save some huge headaches down the road.
The most widely used is The OilSafe™ System. Oilsafe™ has been around for over two decades and has been the preferred oil transfer management system for leading companies around the world. It has been rebranded by many companies and remains the most common used transfer system in the world.
Around the same time, I-Can™ was introduced with improvements to lids for closed lid filling and adding breathers or quick couplers and a new colour management system. One colour Lid with the option of adding coloured labels, bands and inlaying the lids with coloured inserts. Although I-can™ disappeared momentarily in the early 2010’s and was rebranded by L**erite™, it has returned under the I-Can™ name and still has the same quality as ever.
In the early 2000’s Trico Corp was the first to rebrand Oilsafe™ until the last half decade or so when they developed the Spectrum™ system. This was an innovative idea adding a rectangular style jug with low tip ability and new pour spout and storage options.
Around the same time Des-Case™ came out with their Iso-Link™ system as with I-Can™ they had one colour, but with ability to designate l**e by colour with various spout colours. They are also able to be up fitted with quick couplers and a contamination control breather.
Some companies still use open top plastic and metal containers, and some are still using jerry cans as well as pails and funnels. This is not ideal when trying to reduce contamination and avoid environmental spills and incorrect volume into sumps, reducers, gear boxes, hydraulic reservoirs, and automatic l**e systems on bearings etc.
Although we have been distributing all the systems for the last 24 years, we have received positive and negative feedback on all of them. We have not found any to be inferior to another, and again it is based on a client need and level of contamination control.
Hand pumps.
As a distributor in Canada our clients have expressed concern with some of the rigid plastic components breaking easily in cold temperatures, primarily on the connections of the dispense hose to the hand pump. Our clients have had issues with the hoses being stiff in the cold and the compatibility with various lubricants. They do not react well with mineral oils and barrier fluids and become hard, stiff, and brittle. Not all brands offer longer hoses but assure they are soon to be readily available. Some companies offer dust caps and plugs for their pumps. We have customized hoses, lengths, and end connections for two decades to suit our clients needs. A recent addition to pumps for jugs is the new BOP-20 18V Battery operated system. BOP-20 can deliver 1.5 gallons per minute up to ISO 140 around forty degrees Celsius, they are compatible with all four systems and can be used on Pails as well. No more hand pumping. The Primary Draw back is they cannot be used in most hazardous locations due to spark potential. This can be overcome by obtaining correct permits based on company Hazard Policies.
Closed fill options and contamination control upgrades.
Most systems do have options built in for the addition of closed fill couplers to avoid opening the lid, exposing the l**e to the elements, or ingesting airborne particles as well as avoiding accidental spillage. Proactive L**e Manager has been customizing lids or jugs as needed to add this convenience for two decades. We continue to suggest adding a minimum 10µm breather. Desiccant options are available as well.
Colour coding by l**e type is important in reducing the risk of lubricant cross contamination.
All systems have up to ten colours available. Options would vary by lid colour, spout colour, a collar on pump, bands, or inserts. Some companies offer simple labels included or a place to mark them appropriately, or even using symbols to expand their options. I was impressed with Iso-Link as they added white to their colour line up. We have had the ability to print custom tags and vinyl labels for our clients for years. We have worked with our clients to expand their colour/lubricant charts and standards by engaging with them to create l**e by colour policies. Most clients carry multiple viscosities of the same l**e type, this can be challenging with limited colours, but can be over come by using a colour by additive package. Giving the opportunity to add or drop the colours available. We worked with Petro- Canada/Suncor to develop a l**e colour policy based on this.
Lid Ergonomics and pour spouts.
All systems have comfortable handles on their jugs. Spectrum jugs have multiple handles for carrying them as well as being able to use two handed operation. The spout lids on spectrum jugs turn 180 degrees for easy storage in cabinets or on shelving. Each company have either ¼,” ½” or 1” pour spouts. Oil Safe, Iso-Link and I-Can have added handles on their Storage/Pump lids. Whether an air breather is installed or not, each of the pour spout lids have on off switches, buttons, or a trigger to allow the jug to breathe when pouring as well as a closeable nozzle at the tip. It should be noted that lids from other manufacturers fit on other jugs, the large threads are compatible, just how the jug handles line up with spout lids vary.
Jugs and Jug sizes.
Oil safe has jugs in various volumes 1.5, 2, 3, 5 and 10 Liters. Spectrum Oil Containers are available in 4, 8, 11, and 15 Liter sizes. Iso-Link containers come in 4, 7, 10 Liter sizes. I-Can jugs come in 5 and 10 Liters. All the Lids from each company are compatible with others jugs and we have mixed and matched in the past based on clients needs and preference. We were the first company to introduce 20-Liter containers with a specific thread adapter to compliment a hand pump. We use an Oil safe HD hand pump as they are the only pumps with the ability to put breathers and quick couplers on them.
There are some options out there, and in some cases a few cost decisions to make when it comes to choosing the right l**e top up system.
Proactive L**e Manager does not prefer one product to another. No matter which brands a client chooses, we are dedicated to ensuring that we can control contamination of the lubricants to desired level.
