Mobilube™ XFD 50 helps steel and mining company increase equipment availability*

Situation

ArcelorMittal, the world’s leading integrated steel and mining company, utilizes a number of Caterpillar 793 trucks at its iron ore mine site in Mont-Wright, Quebec. Equipped with final drive assemblies with Duo-Cone floating seals, the trucks were experiencing frequent elastometer O-ring failures that took trucks out of service for 14 to 24 hours. In an effort to increase equipment availability, the company approached Imperial Oil, an ExxonMobil subsidiary, for a lubricant solution to address these failures.

Recommendation

Following a thorough evaluation, the Imperial Oil field engineers recommended switching to Mobilube™ XFD 50, a high-performance final drive lubricant. Mobilube™ XFD 50 lubricant had been extensively field tested in Caterpillar off-highway trucks, demonstrating compatibility with final drive seals and excellent protection of heavy-duty axles and final drives against premature wear, even under the heavy use and shockloads endured at the mine site.

Result

After switching to Mobilube™ XFD 50 final drive lubricant, ArcelorMittal reported extended O-ring life and a substantial increase in equipment availability at its iron ore mine site in Mont-Wright. The company estimated its savings (more than US $50,000) based on the typical payloads of its 22 Caterpillar mine haul trucks and the 14 to 24 hours required to replace each set of seals.

^*This proof of performance is based on the experience of a single customer. Actual results can vary depending upon the type of equipment used and its maintenance, operating conditions and environment, and any prior lubricant used.