The Assessment of Wear Metal Concentration in Engine Oils Originating From Agricultural Tractors in the Aspect of Their Operational Properties

Abstract

One of the paths leading to the development of sustainable agriculture is to reduce the amount of energy lost during agricultural production. This can be accomplished through proper farm machinery management. The engine oil obtained at the end of the oil-change interval may be a valuable source of information on the processes and causes of wear of the tribological systems of the engine. This paper presents the results of studies on the wear metal concentration (Pb, Cr, Ni, Fe) in engine oils, taken from selected agricultural tractors, which were subject to replacement within the timeframe specified in the maintenance schedule. The statistical analysis of the test results has not revealed any statistically significant differences in the concentrations of the investigated elements in the used engine oils, depending on the mileage. Nevertheless, the calculated coefficients of correlation indicate a positive, weak correlation between the analysed elements and the engine oil consumption processes under operating conditions.