Shell Lubricants are helping to keep tractor engines and machinery running smoothly
At the height of harvest, tractors and machinery are essential to keeping Australian farmlands running.
Farming operations are not only sunrise to sunset, but more like 24/7 and 365 days a year –downtime is simply not an option.
That is why the right time to service agriculture equipment is at the start of every season, before operators get into the thick of it and don’t have time to lose on repairs and maintenance.
Choosing the correct lubricant for your tractor engine and farm equipment is crucial.
The correct lubricant enhances operational efficiency and performance, with shorter downtime, lowering the total cost of ownership, and premium lubricants can protect your equipment, reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
Choosing the wrong lubricant for a tractor engine can cause breakdowns and accrue costly repairs and maintenance, quickly putting the equipment out of service and causing unnecessary downtime on an operation.
Shell has been named the number one global lubricant supplier for the 18th consecutive year.
Backed by world-class technology, Shell delivers market-leading lubricants to consumers in more than 100 countries.
As the exclusive macro distributor of Shell Lubricants in Australia, Viva Energy has worked tirelessly to streamline how farmers can select and obtain the right lubricant for their tractor and farm machinery.
Dynamic duo
Shell has developed a unique range of products that assists operators in ensuring careful management of their equipment and machinery.
The Shell Rimula R4 range and the Shell Spirax S4 TXM are key products for protecting the integrity and efficiency of a tractor’s engine and transmissions to ensure performance and longevity throughout the season.
Within the Shell Rimula R4 range, two standouts for the agriculture industry are Shell Rimula R4 L and Shell Rimula R4 X.
Shell Rimula R4 L uses the latest generation technology to deliver significantly improved resistance to wear, deposits and oxidation.
Based on high performance Group II base oils, it is suitable for almost all engines, meaning it is versatile enough to bring farmers the convenience of a single oil.
Protecting the performance of exhaust emissions control systems is not only important to ensure that engines comply with legislative requirements, but also to ensure efficient operations.
For example, blocked diesel particulate filters (DPF) can increase fuel consumption.
Shell Rimula R4 X is designed to provide triple protection for tractor engines, covering three key areas: acid and corrosion control, wear control and deposit control.
Formulated with Shell’s Dynamic Protection technology, it will adapt to an engine’s specific requirements.
This is proven by laboratory tests and field trials under real-world truck driving conditions, where a key engine test observed up to 50 per cent better acid corrosion protection and up to 50 per cent better engine cleanliness, meaning less sludge, less wear and longer service life.
All rounder
While maintaining the engine of farming equipment is crucial, keeping gears and transmissions running smoothly is just as important.
Shell Spirax S4 TXM is a premium “Universal Tractor Transmission Oil” (UTTO) designed for use in transmissions, hydraulic systems, oil immersed brakes and other ancillary systems fitted to agricultural tractors and off-road equipment.
Spirax S4 TXM is recognised by leading agricultural equipment manufacturers and suitable for use in most modern equipment.
In today’s fast-paced agriculture landscape, reliability and performance are non-negotiable.
Lubricants play a vital role in helping farmers to maximise uptime, protect their machinery, and operate more efficiently.
Whether it’s powering through harvest or maintaining equipment ahead of the season, Shell Lubricants’ advanced formulations support the backbone of Australian farming.
Shell’s global technology manager for heavy duty engine oils Dr Jason Brown explains that during the development process, Shell tests its engine oil formulas exhaustively.
“We use these tests to improve and refine the additive package and enhance oil performance across its lifetime so that it delivers industry-leading protection from the moment of top-up right through to the next oil drain,” he says.
With trusted products like Shell Rimula and Shell Spirax, operators can feel confident their machinery is protected, operations are optimised, and productivity is sustained season after season.
Expert support
Businesses seeking real-time support can receive a free consultation on the most suitable Shell lubricant for their machinery through the Viva Energy Technical Help Desk.
For the digital savvy, Shell LubeMatch and Shell LubeAnalyst offer innovative solutions for farmers looking to optimise lubricant selection.
These digital tools enable customers to input their equipment details and access tailored lube matching recommendations, as well as survey and monitor engine health for long-term reliability.
By prioritising quality lubrication and expert advice, farmers can maintain their equipment’s efficiency, reduce costly breakdowns, and ultimately drive greater success in their agricultural operations.
To learn more about Shell Lubricants, reach out to Viva Energy Australia (Shell Lubricants Macro Distributor) at 1300 134 205 or technicalhelpdesk@vivaenergy.com.au