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Lubrication excellence requires the right tools for the right job. Lubricant filter carts and transfer carts are vital tools that need to be designed for the task at hand. This buyers guide takes a look at what manufacturers offer and what options are available.
Lubricant filter carts and transfer carts are both included in this buyers guide because of their similarity and the fact that one unit can serve as both a filter cart and a transfer cart. By definition, a filter cart is a portable filtration system that can be used to filter lubricant from a reservoir. A transfer cart is a portable cart that transfers lubricant from a supply source (tote or drums for instance) to the equipment sump or reservoir.
This buyers guide focuses on options available on these carts. The sections are as follows:
· Customized carts - It is often important to design the cart to the specifications needed. This column indicates whether the vendor offers customized units.
· Type of cart
o Luggable unit - These are lightweight, wheel-less units that can be carried by hand or shoulder strap and can be used on equipment that is difficult to access.
o Dolly style unit - These are the most common designs; they typically have two wheels and can be moved by one or two people. They are still fairly versatile and can be extremely effective.
o Cart style units - These are the large units that are on four-wheel carts or some type of movable frame. Moving these units may require a lift truck to transport. In this category, the transfer carts are commonly used to transport fluid to the point of use, and the filter carts are generally highly specialized units like vacuum dehydrators.
· Power sources - It is important to select a unit that can be readily powered on-site. This section indicates the power options available from the suppliers.
· Additional features - These are features that can be added to the carts to make them more effective, safer and easier to use.
· Filters - To obtain the filtration desired, the correct filter needs to be selected. This section lists the type of filtration units available from each of the suppliers.
· Special filtration units - This section indicates what type of unconventional filtration is available. Special filtration is normally needed to control water and varnish.
· On-line contamination sensors - These sensors continuously indicate the lubricant's contamination level and can be used to control the filter cart. For example, if an online particle counter is being used, once a set level of cleanliness has been reached, the counter can turn the filter cart off.
· Lubricant capacity - Transfer carts usually have the ability to transport lubricant to the equipment. This can be accomplished through either a built-in reservoir or temporary portable container. A common practice is to design a filter cart on a dolly that will also aid in the transport a drum of oil.
· Cost - The cost of the unit is often a critical part of the decision. This section lists the average minimum and maximum prices from the suppliers.
· Lead time - This column provides information on the lead time to expect from the supplier.
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