Fire Department Counts on AMSOIL

Craig Hamrick of Macomb, Ill., has been a firefighter in charge of fleet maintenance for 23 years. “My wife and I have been Dealers since 2006 and became Dealers after seeing the impressive results AMSOIL demonstrated in the fire department fleet,” Hamrick said. “We have used AMSOIL lubricants since 2003 in the fleet,” Hamrick said. The department has 11 vehicles and numerous small engines and generators, all running with AMSOIL products. “Every vehicle in our fleet has AMSOIL installed from front to back.”

AMSOIL Powers Generator

The Macomb Fire Department generator at the main station is an Onan* 150kw unit that is powered by a Cummins* QSB 6.7-liter diesel. It also has AMSOIL filters and lubricants installed. It has a BMK23 with an EaO26 full-flow filter and an EaBP110 by-pass filter. For ease of oil sampling, there is a petcock on one of the ports on the filter housing. The engine is filled with AMSOIL 5W-40 Synthetic Diesel Oil. “The reason for choosing it over AMSOIL 15W-40 Synthetic Diesel Oil is the slightly better flow characteristics for cold weather start up,” Hamrick said. “While this unit has a block heater to keep the coolant warm, the oil can still be fairly cold. This generator must go from stopped to running with full electrical load in less than one minute. The cold flow characteristics of the AMSOIL diesel oil provide maximum protection and peace of mind for me and the department.” “The savings are substantial,” Hamrick said. “We only change oil based on oil analysis now, where before we changed every three months or 250 hours. Fleet uptime is one of the most important benefits for us. Our equipment must respond and perform at maximum capability every time. The generator is just as important.”

Oil Analysis Proves AMSOIL Benefits

Hamrick said he was a skeptic of extended-drain intervals when he first was approached about AMSOIL synthetics. However, he soon learned the saving potential of AMSOIL synthetic lubricants. The department saves money through the reduction of waste oil generated, as well as on equipment repairs and services, both in time and labor. The department regularly sends oil samples to Oil Analyzers as part of its maintenance program. “The proof is in all of the oil analysis reports,” he said. “We can see by the results.” AMSOIL lubricants are especially well-suited to emergency services where every second counts. “You never know when you’re going to get that call, and there isn’t a lot of extra equipment available,” Hamrick said. “We need our equipment to be ready and able to perform.” Even during the winter months, the generator has “instant oil pressure” when it’s fired up, he said. “If you walk into our station all you will see in our maintenance room is AMSOIL products.”