Choosing the right machinery lubricant is a technical decision that should line up with duty, temperature, load, and the site’s maintenance regime. This article explores LSA Oils’ industrial product ranges to help operations teams map real products to common plant equipment and set up monitoring that keeps machines on song.
Hydraulics: viscosity control, wear protection, and start-up response
Hydraulic circuits need a stable viscosity across the shifts, strong anti-wear chemistry, and quick air release. Two product families cover most requirements:
- LSA HYDRAULIC HVI (ISO 32/46/68): high-viscosity-index anti-wear hydraulic oils designed for wider temperature ranges than standard fluids. They target pump and motor wear, oxidation stability, and low pour points for cold starts.
- LSA HYDRAULIC ZF HVI (ISO 32/46/68): zinc-free, ashless, high-VI variants that resist deposit formation at high temperatures and support high-pressure vane, piston, and gear pumps.
Sites that prefer Australian-branded, general-duty lines may opt for LSA HYDRAULIC OIL (ISO 32/46/68), which combines zinc anti-wear additives with foam and rust control to maintain response and film strength under fluctuating loads.
Industrial gear drives: EP performance and thermal stability
Enclosed gearboxes in conveyors, mills, mixers, and agitators see high contact stress and sliding. LSA Industrial Gear Oil (mineral) is formulated for a wide speed and load window and meets recognised gear-oil benchmarks including DIN 51517-3 CLP and AGMA 9005-E02; grades are available from ISO VG 100 through 320/460 and beyond (e.g., ISO 220 shown). For long drains or higher heat, LSA Industrial Gear SYN (PAO/Ester) options are available.
Air compressors: clean operation and deposit control
Rotary screw and reciprocating compressors demand low-volatility base stocks and deposit-resistant chemistry. LSA Air Syn 68 is a full synthetic, ashless compressor oil blended from PAO and ester base fluids to sustain film strength and reduce varnish risk over longer drains. Match grade to the OEM and ambient profile; ISO 68 suits many screw compressors in warm climates.
Mapping equipment to LSA product sheets
| Equipment | Duty and risks | Recommended product | Base oil / additive type | ISO VG | Standards and claims |
| Hydraulics with wide temperature swings | Variable ambient, frequent cold starts, servo valves | LSA HYDRAULIC HVI | Mineral, high VI, anti-wear package | 32, 46, 68 | Emphasis on oxidation resistance, low pour point, high VI for broader operating window |
| Hydraulics in high-pressure, high-temp service | Continuous duty, heat-soak near furnaces, precision controls | LSA HYDRAULIC ZF HVI | Zinc-free ashless, high VI, shear-stable | 32, 46, 68 | High VI for hot running; ashless chemistry for servo compatibility and deposit control |
| Hydraulics where Australian brand preference applies | General plant hydraulics, outdoor mobile plant on site | LSA HYDRAULIC OIL | Mineral with zinc anti-wear, anti-foam, rust inhibitors | 32, 46, 68 | AW blend for steady response across shifts |
| Enclosed gear drives (conveyors, mixers, mills) | Shock loads, boundary and mixed regimes | LSA Industrial Gear Oil | Mineral EP gear oil | 150–460 (e.g., 220) | DIN 51517-3 CLP, AGMA 9005-E02; ISO 12925-1 families per grade |
| Rotary-screw compressors | High discharge temp, varnish risk, long drains | LSA Air Syn 68 | PAO/Ester synthetic, ashless | 68 | DIN 51506 classes (VBL/VCL/VDL) / ISO compressor categories listed on PDS |
The table above consolidates claims from LSA HYDRAULIC HVI and HYDRAULIC ZF HVI pages/PDS, LSA Industrial Gear Oil/SYN PDS, and LSA Air Syn 68 PDS. Always verify the latest revision against your OEM.
How to choose between them in practice
- Fix the viscosity first. Check OEM guidance, then confirm operating temperatures. For many fixed plants, ISO 46 is a sound starting point; move to ISO 32 for tight servo response in colder starts, ISO 68 for hotter ambient or worn components. LSA lists HVI and ZF HVI in these grades.
- Match additive chemistry to the mechanism. Gears need EP systems like the CLP-type packages in Industrial Gear Oils; hydraulics rely on anti-wear and oxidation stability; compressors benefit from ashless systems to reduce deposits.
- Consider environment and maintenance intent. Where high heat, long drains, or minimal shutdowns are a fact of life, ashless high-VI (ZF HVI) hydraulics and synthetics like Industrial Gear SYN or Air Syn can reduce varnish risk and sustain filtration performance.
- Rationalise the store. Standardise on a small set of grades across LSA to simplify transfer, storage, and contamination control. Use the LSA Lube Guide to cross-reference equipment.
Oil analysis and condition monitoring that actually guide planning
A product match only pays off when sampling turns numbers into actions. Build a minimal program that covers:
- Oil health: viscosity at 40 °C, oxidation trend, and base number or MPC for varnish risk in compressors.
- Machine wear: ICP wear metals for trend, plus ferrous density or PQ index to catch larger debris in gearboxes.
- Contamination: ISO 4406 particle count, moisture by Karl Fischer, and acid number where relevant.
Set sampling points that are live and repeatable. Trend results in a shared dashboard and tie alarms to planned work orders, not ad hoc call-outs. LSA’s Lube Guide supports product selection; combine this with your site’s vibration and thermography and a lab oil-analysis program for a clearer picture of fault development.
Notes for Australian plants
- Storage and handling: use sealed, colour-coded decanting gear; add desiccant breathers to bulk tanks.
- Filter to a target: set ISO cleanliness targets by component sensitivity; check that your transfer carts can hit the numbers for servo-grade hydraulics.
- Review at shift level: involve operators in quick sight-glass, breathers, and leak checks so reliability is not left to maintenance alone.
- Supplier support: LSA’s network carries these ranges, so you can align product choice with local delivery and technical help. That matters for planned changeovers and urgent top-ups.
Well chosen industrial oils keep assets stable, but people and process make the gains stick. If you want a short list tailored to your duty cycles, LSA’s lubricant specialists can help scope grades, align standards, and embed a sensible sampling plan that suits your budget.