The two hydraulic oils, Tellus S2 MX and Tellus S2 VX, that Shell has introduced, claim to deliver optimum value to the users.

Story by:

Bhushan Mhapralkar

Shell Lubricants has launched Shell Tellus S2 MX and Tellus S2 VX hydraulic oils in India. India marks the first market where these two hydraulic oils have been launched. Expected to be introduced in markets like Singapore, Thailand, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany, Australia and France progressively, the two hydraulic oils add to the long legacy of Tellus brand which traces its origin to 1947, the year India became Independent. Marking a successful journey of 67 years, Tellus has sprang a family of hydraulic oils over time. The oils find use in a diverse range of industrial applications including the tipping mechanism of tippers, in construction and mining equipment, and in machines used to make automotive parts. Revealed Hans Gerdes, Global Brand Manager B2B Lubricants, “50 per cent of the industrial oil demand includes hydraulic oils.” “Over 3.8 billion litres of hydraulic oil is consumed every year the world over,” he added. India was chosen for the world premiere of the two oils – S2 MX is aimed at stationary applications and S2 VX is aimed at mobile applications, since India and China are the growing markets in the Asia-Pacific region, which accounts for 40 per cent of the world’s hydraulic oil consumption. Of the 40 per cent consumed, India accounts for 4 per cent. Expected to post a strong growth at a time China is moderating according to Hans, the oils have been developed to enable equipment operators to select the one that will help to arrive at an optimum value.

Optimum Value

The two Tellus oils mark the upgradation of the existing range to keep up with the change the industry is experiencing. Engine sizes are shrinking, reservoir sizes are shrinking, density is growing, operating temperatures are rising, and there’s less time for oils to shed the impurities and air that they have picked up during operation. Averred Akhil Jha, Vice President Technical, Shell Lubricants India, that the oils support higher energy efficiency. Claiming that Tellus stood the most stressful Bosch Rexroth CRDI 90245 test, Jha said, “The oils offer improved wear protection, longer oil life, and greater efficiency. Offer CFZG performance, and helps the pump to last longer.” Stressing on the fact that it is the pump in a hydraulic system that incurs the most maintenance cost, Jha mentioned that their concept was about TCO. Claimed to offer four times faster air release in comparison to other hydraulic oils, Shell Tellus S2 MX and Shell Tellus S2 VX are upgraded formulations of Tellus S2 M and S2 V respectively. Mentioned Hans, “Tellus S2 hydraulic oils have set industry benchmark for dependable lubricants. Changes to equipment technology and operating conditions in recent years have placed increasing demands on the hydraulic oil. It is because of this that we have developed two upgraded formulations of Shell Tellus S2 hydraulic oils to deliver dramatically improved performance.” In India, the company caters to OEMs like Eaton, ABB, Alfa Laval, Toshiba, Danielli, Fives, Windsor, Rexroth and others. The company also caters to most construction and mining equipment manufacturers.

For mining equipment

The S2 VX multigrade hydraulic oil is aimed at construction and mining equipment with attention to their changing nature. Said Jha, that the new hydraulic oils are fully compatible with previous generation Shell Tellus S2 hydraulic oil and most other mineral oil based fluids in the market. It will be easy for customers to introduce the new formulation to their equipment.” He drew attention to the Tellus range playing a role of successful lubricant partner in some of the world’s largest projects; from construction of massive tunnels for the Beijing metro to helping one of the largest diggers in the world like Komatsu. “Shell Tellus range of Hydraulic Oils have also been used in aiding two robotic arms – ‘Romeo’ and ‘Juliet’; to carry out complicated processes on the Ferrari’s engine production line, among others,” averred Akhil. Hans, stressing upon India as the world’s fourth mining intensive country, said that the use of Tellus in equipment would help to improve efficiency and reduce downtime. “At Shell, we are looking at playing a role in safety,” said Akhil. Apart from helping to address the instances of rising oxidation in equipment due to their rising working hours and adverse operating conditions, the S2 VX promises to help maintain thermal stability.

Claimed to deliver TOST (Turbine Oil Stability Test) life of over 5’000 hours, three times that of typical industry and OEM limits, and double that of the previous generation of Shell Tellus S2 (2’500 hours), the Tellus S2 MX and S2 VX, with excellent filterability, consistent water separation and improved air release, promise to help equipment meet or exceed its design capabilities and enhance equipment productivity, thereby increasing the time between maintenance cycles. They will be available in pack sizes of 209 litres and 20 litres.