Lubrication Systems and Fluid Handling: If you’re the owner or manager of a fleet of cars, trucks, vans, or buses, there are many services and pieces of equipment you need to have on hand to care for your vehicles. After all, you’ll need to keep them clean, maintain their efficiency, and keep them running well and consistently. That means an investment in things like a lubrication system or fluid handling equipment.
Whether you own 20 vehicles or 2,000 vehicles, an onsite lubrication system is definitely one of those must-haves where maintenance is concerned. Western Oil provides a complete range of products to outfit your facility, from new oil systems, to tanks, piping, hose reels, dispensers and waste oil repositories, all items that’ll make maintaining your fleet easier and more convenient and cost-saving.
Western Oil offers the best available in lubrication and fluid handling systems, so our customers can be sure that what we install offers maximum efficiency and reliability. Furthermore, we have experience installing lubrication systems for a very wide variety of industries and have worked with the Vancouver International Airport, Richmond Fire Department, and many others in designing systems that fit their needs and the scale of their operation.
Is your system up-to-date?
The lubrication and fluid handling systems industries have changed rapidly over the last decade, and while a grease gun will always be a grease gun and a lube trolley looks pretty much the same as it did twenty years ago, technology has become part of the mix in many cases. For example, some of the latest fluid inventory control systems use wireless connectivity for reporting and control, making your mechanics’ jobs easier and no doubt saving money and eliminating waste.
If you have an older system or parts of your lubrication and fluid handling systems that are out-of-date, it might be time to take a look at what’s available from reliable and well-known companies such as Alemite, Samson, and Graco, all of whom offer systems and parts that include the latest technology. And because most oil equipment is interchangeable, we can retrofit your existing system with parts and fittings from any of these manufacturers. All you’ll need is a review from one of our systems experts to determine what can be done to improve your current set-up.
Consider a bulk fluid package
Often, it’s simply more cost-effective for owners or managers of fleet vehicles to purchase bulk fluid packages such as tank or trolley packages that include all the components necessary for efficient bulk fluid handling.
Many of these packages are ideal for smaller shops where space tends to be an issue while others are perfect for large-scale operations where spaces are larger and vehicles are numerous. A customer service representative from Western Oil Services can schedule a consultation to determine which is right for your business and whether or not a bulk fluid package is the way to go for your operation.
Support after you buy
Because technology has indeed become a part of today’s lubrication and bulk fluid systems and because some other aspects of these systems have no doubt changed over the years, we’ll be there to help you “figure out” your new or updated system. Our team of service representatives proudly offers the best support available whenever you have questions or encounter a problem. We won’t disappear after we sell you a new system. We’re always available to lend a hand. Regardless of whether your problem or question deals with installation, service, or ongoing maintenance, we’re just a phone call away!
Types of Vehicle Hoists: What’s Right for Your Business?
Car dealerships, bus companies, and auto repair shops need the right vehicle hoists. A good hoist makes maintenance faster and easier. It also improves safety and efficiency.
How do you choose the best hoist for your business? Below are common types to consider.
2-Post Surface-Mounted Hoists
These are the most popular. Two synchronized posts lift the vehicle using hydraulics, mechanics, or electronics. They engage the frame with swing arms and often include an overhead shut-off bar.
Multi-Post Runway Hoists
Four-post hoists lift vehicles by their tires. The vehicle drives onto two runways for lifting. This design provides easy access to the underside. It’s a versatile option for many businesses.
Scissors Lifts
Scissors lifts expand vertically to raise vehicles. They can be surface-mounted or in-ground. Options include drive-on runways or frame-engaging models. Some allow wheels-free services.
Drive-On Parallelogram Hoists
These hoists lift vehicles while moving them slightly forward or backward. They are similar to scissors lifts but add this movement. They use two runways and an electro-hydraulic system.
Low- and Mid-Rise Frame-Engaging Hoists
These hoists lift vehicles lower than others. They are ideal for tire, brake, and wheel services. They engage the frame and can lift straight up or in a parallelogram motion. Power options include compressed air or electro-hydraulics.
In-Ground Hoists
These hoists are installed below the garage floor. Hydraulic pistons or scissors mechanisms lift the vehicle. They work well for heavy vehicles but are more expensive and require more installation effort.
Mobile Hoists
Mobile hoists are portable and wheel-engaging. Individual lifting columns work together, often wirelessly. These are great for small garages or flexible service areas.
Choosing the Right Hoist
Some businesses use a mix of hoists, while others prefer one type. At Western Oil Services, we can help you decide. Call us for a free consultation and find the best hoist for your needs.
If you own or manage some sort of transportation business – such as a bus company, Vehicle Wash Systems – or are perhaps an auto dealer or the owner of a limousine service, you understand just how important it is to keep your fleet of vehicles looking their best. First impressions are key to keeping customers, so when your clients view your clean, sparkling vehicles, they will likely decide that you’re the kind of business with whom they’ll continue to work.
If you’re just starting out in the transit business or if you’ve just opened a car lot, and you need a vehicle wash system, or if you’re looking to upgrade your current system, it’s likely you’ll have a lot of research to do before you decide which kind of system is best for you. There are, after all, plenty of choices. In addition, you have a budget you need to stick to as well as perhaps some space restrictions as well.
That’s why it’s necessary to take some time and investigate all your options, guided by a company that has plenty of experience in recommending, installing, and servicing vehicle was systems, like the knowledgeable staff at Western Oil Services.
So, where do you begin?
Brushes? High Pressure Wash?
Talk to any transport service owner, and most will say brushes are essential for cleaning grime, mud, and muck. High-pressure water systems work for light dirt but often fall short.
Some companies worry that brushes might scratch their vehicles. This belief is a myth. Experts like those at Western Oil Service confirm it’s not true. However, poorly maintained brushes with built-up dirt can cause scratches. Regular maintenance is key to avoiding this problem.
Many agree that combining high pressure and brushes is best. Brushes can’t clean bike racks or attachments on the front or back of vehicles. High-pressure systems handle these areas better.
Touchless vehicle washes are another option, depending on the dirt level you deal with daily.
Still unsure? Consult a vehicle wash expert to find the right system for your needs.
What’s right for the size of my fleet?
While the first question might be about the type of vehicle wash system that works best, the second will likely be about what kind of wash unit is right for the number of vehicles you need to handle on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.
For example, some companies with large fleets may be thinking about a mobile car wash – one that can be moved around your lot or pulled around the vehicles as needed – but often decide that while it’s likely cheaper, it may not be the best option for them. Often, big fleets require vehicle wash systems that are “fixed” – staying in one place on your property – and that are highly automated.
That doesn’t mean, however, that you’ll need to spend lots of money. Companies such as Ryko offer many options including one that no doubt fits your budget and will get the job done.
What about all that water we’re using?
You may also be concerned about conserving water and fear that you’re not being the best steward of the environment since you constantly use your vehicle wash system. That’s a common concern of those who truly care about the environment around them.
That’s why many manufacturers of vehicle wash systems are designing their newest systems with conservation in mind. So-called low-flow systems might be ideal for this purpose, especially if you wash your vehicles every day and don’t always need the same amount of water power to get them clean. Hence, these systems will use less water and take less time to complete their cycle.
Still confused? There’s a lot to consider in choosing the right vehicle wash system. For a free, no-obligation consultation, talk to the experts at Western Oil Services for more information and an honest evaluation of your needs.
When cold weather arrives, we face all sorts of challenges. Many businesses have to deal with issues such as clearing snow and ice so they can stay open and remain profitable. For companies – both commercial and industrial – that are concerned with fuel and fluid storage and handling on a daily basis, cold temperatures, ice, and snow can bring other challenges as well.
In addition, it seems that much of the country is seeing colder-than-usual temperatures these days, so protecting fuels and fluids becomes more important than ever, particularly during unexpected cold snaps that might catch us off-guard.
Diesel and the cold weather
Petrol can withstand temperatures all the way down to about -60 C, but diesel has a much higher freezing point. That means it can be compromised when it’s stored in outdoor above grade tanks during chilly winters.
Diesel contains paraffin wax, which can begin to solidify at about 0 degrees Celsius. That’s what’s known in the industry as “gelling”. When diesel gels, it clogs filters and pipes in your fuel storage tanks or vehicles. That means it won’t flow as it should and extracting it from tanks could become difficult.
Obviously, the easiest way to keep fuel from gelling would be to bring any fuel storage tanks into an environment where the temperature is more than 0 degrees Celsius. That works with trucks and other “movable” storage. If that’s not possible, however, there is an additive available that is designed to prevent gelling. Your fuel storage specialist can help you obtain that and can add it for you or instruct you as to how to add it and how much to use.
Water also tends to be an issue when diesel is kept outside in storage tanks. When water – in the form of snow and ice or even condensation – enters a tank of diesel fuel, all sorts of problems can occur. That’s why proper maintenance of any outside tanks is essential during the colder months. including regular cleaning.
Storing other fluids in the cold
There are many fluids that are necessary to some industries that are often stored outside. This might include items such as lubricants, which don’t necessarily freeze but do become viscous – which means the fluid gets thick and rather sticky or gummy. Obviously, this increased viscosity makes these lubricants difficult to dispense. This is also true for ink, which reacts similarly.
Certain lubricants and other chemicals also lose their efficacy when they reach cold temperatures, and they simple don’t last as long as they would were they not subject to extremes, including very hot temperatures as well as cold. That makes maintaining the right temperature all the more important.
Maintenance is essential
Winter demands extra care for fuel and fluid storage. Above-ground tanks need consistent maintenance. Western Oil Service offers year-round service checks. Customers stay worry-free about their tanks, regardless of the season.
We inspect hoses and nozzles for leaks or wear. We check dispensers for any seepage or damage. Our technicians bring decades of hands-on experience. They know how to manage storage tanks and piping in tough Canadian winters.
We prioritize your safety, the environment, and your business. Our goal is to keep your operations efficient. That way, you can maximize profits in any weather. It’s simple and effective.
