Cummins’ Fluid Analysis is a maintenance tool that provides a picture of both the fluid condition and the internal condition of a component or system without disassembly. Imagine being able to see exactly what’s happening inside an engine, a gearbox or hydraulic system.
High Quality Fluid Testing
You can be confident you’re testing with a laboratory that knows your equipment better than anyone. Cummins Sales and Service partners with an independent testing laboratory that is ISO 17025 A2LA accredited - the highest level of quality attainable by testing laboratory backed by the most stringent accrediting body in the industry. This means that your fluid analysis program is supported by a documented quality system you can depend on to deliver superior testing, analytical oversight and customer service
Tracking Samples
Samples should be taken at regularly scheduled intervals and from the same sampling point each time. Although an equipment manufacturer’s recommendations provide a good starting point for developing planned maintenance practices, sampling intervals can easily vary. A major consideration for determining sampling frequency is how critical a piece of equipment is to your operation. Environmental factors are also important, such as hot, dirty operating conditions, short trips with heavy loads and excessive idle times.
Fluid Test Packages
Fluid analysis test packages can be ordered through Cummins Sales and Service or as part of your Planned Maintenance Agreement. Tests in either program provide advanced diagnostics, maintenance, testing designed to evaluate lubricant condition, component wear and contamination. Both provide a test report by an independent laboratory for each sample submitted.
- Fuel Test Package: Fuel analysis can identify potential causes for fuel filter plugging, smoking, loss of power, poor injector performance, malfunctioning throttle position sensors and sticking valves. Testing also confirms a diesel fuel’s sulfur content, biodiesel content and compliance with manufacturer specifications and standards for cleanliness that could affect equipment warranty requirements
- Oil Test Package: Oil is the “lifeblood” of machines and equipment. Routine testing and analysis can show you how the condition of a particular lubricant can affect performance and ultimately your assets reliability
- Coolant Test Package: Taking samples at regular intervals under typical operating conditions can detect and prevent imbalances between the water, glycol and various additives that coolants contain
Recommendations
Once the sample has been tested, a data analyst’s job is to explain, and, if necessary, recommend actions for rectifying significant changes in the lubricant or the unit’s condition. Reviewing comments before looking at the actual test results will provide a road map to the report’s most important information. Any actions that need to be taken are listed first in order of severity. Justifications for recommending those actions immediately follow. Additionally, all severity code 3 or 4 reports are reviewed by a Customer Care Advisor. You will be contacted to determine if repairs are desired.
To take advantage of Cummins’ Fluid Analysis Program, contact your local Cummins Sales and Service Planned Maintenance Sales Representative, Contact us Toll Free: 1-800-CUMMINS or schedule service online.