EDEN PRAIRIE, MINN. ... Power management company Eaton today announced that synthetic biodegradable hydraulic fluids with International Organization for Standardization classification HEES have been rated for safe use in the company's Geroler? motors. As an industry leader in low-speed, high-torque (LSHT) hydraulic motor technology, Geroler products are frequently used in environmentally sensitive applications such as agriculture, construction, forestry, material handling, off-shore, turf care and mining.

"Sustainability is core to how we approach solutions for our customers and our business," says Astrid Mozes, chief technology officer, Eaton's Hydraulics Group. "Our teams are focused on creating solutions that feature eco-friendly design and compatibility with environmentally friendly lubricants. Hydraulic components are primarily designed to use with standard petroleum products, but our teams have a track record of developing new products and finding ways to adapt existing products that perform with alternative lubricants -giving our customers options."

In tests, Eaton's engineering teams found several advantages to HEES fluids over standard petroleum lubricants; specifically the HEES fluids offer a high-viscosity index, which ensures multi-grade performance across a wide range of temperatures. The HEES synthetic fluids are readily biodegradable and its non-toxic elements make for safe use in environmentally sensitive areas.

"Testing synthetic lubricants is imperative to improving fuel economy and motor performance, and lengthening equipment life," Mozes adds. "By determining the impact of HEES synthetic fluids on motor operations, designs can be engineered to suit the lubricant, preventing costly damage to the equipment and environment."

Tests were conducted by global motor engineering teams in India and the U.S. at Eaton's Test Lab in Pune, India, and the results showed excellent performance across multiple ranges of temperature.