Mobil Lubricants North America

Excavators, wheel-loaders, track dozers, articulated haul trucks, and motor graters – there’s a lot of large, impressive machinery on a construction site.   From transporting materials to leveling the earth and laying down asphalt, these vehicles work hard, and each requires specific lubricants to keep moving. According to Senior Lubrication Engineer Barry Horsmann, understanding what equipment you’re working with and the types of lubricants that are best suited to that specific machine is key.   “The OEM recommendations are a required place to start, but lubricants have evolved so much over the years that it’s possible to refine and improve maintenance efforts, pushing the boundaries of equipment productivity and longevity,” Barry says.    Synthetic oils are one of the most impactful options for the industry, changing the way construction sites operate, and allowing customers to run one product year-round instead of making seasonal changes.   “I see customers being able to double or even triple oil drain intervals by using synthetics and working with their lubricant supplier,” Barry says. “It’s cool to see equipment running longer as products evolve and new innovations pop up, and I’m always excited to see what’s next on the horizon.” 

The people who operate mines are the ones that make the world go.    Not only has Mobil been a long-standing partner to some of the world’s leading mining companies — we’re one of the only lubrication producers in the world that’s also a miner. We know what it’s like to be in the field, and we know what this difficult environment can do to equipment.    Our lubrication products can help miners extend drain intervals and keep critical equipment running longer. But we do more than provide the products. Our experts conduct lubrication inspections and reliability studies, examine gear, check for leaks — even vibration analysis to determine the best way to keep heavy mining equipment performing at its peak.    Limiting maintenance and extending oil intervals keeps workers out of harm’s way and increases sustainability and productivity.   At Mobil, we’re pushing lifespans beyond OEM specifications and fueling the future of mining. Just like you, we’re always trying to make our operation a little safer, more efficient, and better — and we’ll never stop digging deeper. https://lnkd.in/eKFdq-BU  

The Unstoppable Care-avan is on the road! We’re supporting Share Our Strength's national No Kid Hungry campaign that is working to end childhood hunger in the United States, with a bold mission: to drive a million miles to help provide a million meals, all with zero oil changes.  We’re well on our way — thanks to our dedicated distributors across the country, each one adding miles to our total and connecting kids in their local communities to the meals they need. Check in on our progress and learn more about No Kid Hungry and how to join the Care-avan: https://lnkd.in/eNUdH4wz

With more than 25 years under his belt at ExxonMobil, Product Performance Principal Jim Hannon has seen the power gen industry evolve firsthand.      “20 years ago, electricity was predominantly powered by coal. Today, much of coal has been shut down, nuclear is shrinking, and gas turbines are taking their place,” Jim says.      So, why the switch? Compared to coal, gas turbines are cleaner, require less personnel, and are more energy efficient. Thanks to their versatility, reliability and lower emissions, they’ve emerged as a preferred choice.      “The beauty of gas turbines is in their modular design that makes them easier to install and start up,” he says. “As technology evolves, a lot of gas turbines are becoming remotely operated, so operators have to put a lot of trust into their equipment and count on the oil to do its job.”        Gas turbines are at the forefront of the latest transformation in the industry, and emerging technologies will likely only continue to change the game. Thanks to our experts like Jim, we’re always here to help our power gen customers find the right lubricants to get the job done, no matter what the tools of the future look like. 

Curious about the future of heavy-duty engine oils? Our very own senior lubricants engineer Paul Cigala shared his insights with Fleet Maintenance magazine. Get his thoughts on what’s ahead for lube technology, including how new formulations could offer improved fuel economy, extended oil drain intervals, and enhanced wear protection.

26 years ago, Jim Hannon began his career at ExxonMobil in a sales and lubrication engineering role. Since then, he’s been carving out his own path, one that’s led him to his current role as a Product Performance Principal working on the technology side of industrial lubricants and specializing in the power industry.     Over the years, he’s developed his own role, landing in a hybrid position that’s equal parts technical expertise and strong relationships.     “When I first started out, I loved learning how lubricants, services, equipment and people came together. I felt like my role was at the center of the wheel,” Jim says. “I was able to serve as a connector between a lot of different elements to get the job done — and that’s a fun place to be.”     It’s a highly technical role — but for Jim, the best part of the job is working with people, whether it’s customers, internal sales and engineering team members, industry forums, marketing or our amazing product formulators.     “I spend a lot of time on the ground at conferences and in the field so customers have a contact to help them navigate the world of lubrication and troubleshoot any issues they might be having,” he says. “That face time, that human touch to build trust can make all the difference.”     These days, the highlight of his day is spending time developing new talent. His advice to newcomers is always the same:      “Work on things you like to work on and make sure it adds value,” he says. “When those two things align, you’ll be well-rewarded." 

On-highway fleets rely on lubricants to provide optimal viscosity—protecting engines, ensuring smooth operation and reducing friction between moving parts. But as trucks accumulate mileage, lubricants wear down.     So, what exactly happens to lubricants over time—and how can fleet managers get the most out of them? Our Commercial Vehicles Lubricants Application Engineer Nick Rivera broke it down for us.    “During the course of normal engine operation, lubricants experience a chemical change due to oxidation. A variety of factors contribute to this—including aeration, contamination from things like excess soot, water and coolants, and exposure to high temperatures,” he says.    Together, these catalysts lead to oxidative particles that can degrade the lubricant. Oxidation is inevitable, but there are steps fleet managers can take to extend product life and keep their trucks on the road longer.     “The effects of oxidation can be mitigated by using high-performing lubricants, formulated with advanced base oil and additive technology. Fleet managers already understand how important it is to know their specific engines inside-and-out, and the OEM drain interval recommendations,” Nick says. “But to extract the full value of your lubricants, you need a strong preventative maintenance practice.”    According to Nick, working with a field representative to develop strong preventative maintenance practices can help significantly extend drain intervals. Using high performing, anti-wear lubricants and taking regular oil analysis samples to see the condition of the oil and equipment can make all the difference, sometimes extending oil life by two or three times the OEM recommendations. 

We’re headed to the Elko Mining Expo! Join us on June 6-7 at the Elko Convention Center in Elko, NV and connect with mining pros to learn about the latest equipment, technology, and trends in the industry. Come visit our Mobil experts and our distributor team from Flyers Energy | A World Kinect Company at booth #57 — and be sure to enter our raffle for the chance to win some swag!       #ElkoMiningExpo

In our last round of trivia, we asked you to guess when the earliest evidence of lubricants being used by humans was. And 56% of you were right—the answer was the Stone Age!   During the Stone Age, early humans used natural resources like animal fats and plant oils to lubricate rudimentary tools, including stone axes, hand drills, and wooden bearings. People likely also used them to help reduce friction on chariots and wheeled carts while hauling materials.   While that form of lubrication looks quite different than the modern materials we use today, it speaks to the resourcefulness of our ancient ancestors and highlights just how important lubricants have been throughout history. Our lubricants don’t quite date back to the Stone Age, but for more than 150 years, Mobil has been helping industries across prominent sectors such as mining, power generation, construction and more keep their equipment running strong.

The Mobil Delvac™ Unstoppable Care-avan is about to hit the road!      This year, 1 in 5 kids in America will face hunger, and we’re proud to team up with Share Our Strength’s national No Kid Hungry campaign for an unforgettable trip with unstoppable energy: a group of Mobil Delvac distributors have pledged to drive a collective 1 million miles — all without stopping for an oil change – to demonstrate the high performance of Mobil Delvac lubricants and help provide kids with healthy meals.     Join the Care-avan today! We’re donating $1 each for the first 100 people who sign up: https://lnkd.in/eNUdH4wz. $1 can help provide 10 meals* to kids.      *Donations help support programs that feed kids; No Kid Hungry does not provide individual meals. Learn more at NoKidHungry.org/OneDollar.