May 2014
MODERN MINING
67
PRODUCT News
Fleetguard range of coolants
protects engine components
Cummins – a global leader in the manufacture, sales and servic-
ing of diesel engines and related technology – distributes a range
of Fleetguard coolants which protect engine components from
cooling system problems. Cummins Technical Sales Manager
for the mining division Gerald Annandale notes that coolant is
composed of three components, namely water content, ethylene
glycol and a chemical portion.
“The coolant is an integral part of vehicle engine mainte-
nance. Its water content portion cools down the engine, while
the ethylene glycol forms the anti-freeze portion of the mixture.
The smallest, but arguably the most important, component is the
chemical make-up of the coolant which protects the internal sur-
faces of the engine,” he explains.
The cooling system of a vehicle comprises a number of dif-
ferent types of metal, which results in sensitivity to corrosion.
“Aluminium for example is extremely sensitive to corrosion by
chemical attack. In order to protect aluminium components in the
engine, a silica compound forms part the coolant formulation to
specifically protect the surface of the aluminium. The foundation
of the formulation is protection, cooling, anti-boil and anti-freeze,”
observes Annandale.
Water makes up an extremely important part of a vehicle’s
cooling system; however, if ordinary tap water is used it could be
detrimental to the life of the vehicle’s cooling system. “Chemicals
such as chlorine are commonly added to water to make it safe
for human consumption. These chemicals not only disrupt the
chemical makeup of the coolant, but also have the propensity to
rust the different components of the cooling system. It is for this
reason that long-life pre-diluted coolants such as ES Compleat
were formulated,” states Annandale.
ES Compleat Glycerin pre-diluted coolant is a new and innova-
tive heavy duty engine coolant made with Glycerin, a rawmaterial
derived from renewable energy sources, such as a by-product of
biodiesel manufacturing. Glycerin is used in place of ethylene
glycol (EG) or propylene glycol (PG), ensuring environmental
responsibility with green products that continue to provide supe-
rior engine protection.
According to Annandale, a good vehicle cooling system
maintenance programme should include regular testing of the
coolant. “Coolants can be tested effortlessly and accurately with
either a refractometer or with coolant quality test strips, both of
which are supplied by Cummins. The Fleetguard Refractometer is
a fast, easy way to determine the freeze point protection of both
ethylene glycol and propylene glycol coolants.
Cummins-branded Restore alkaline-based cleaning fluid
is designed to clean a vehicle’s engine and cooling system by
removing all unwanted deposits and residue from inside the cool-
ing system itself.
Cummins also supplies a wide range of Fleetguard coolant
products, which protect engine components against corrosion,
liner pitting, cavitation, scale and deposits and acidification. These
include; ES Compleat OAT, ES Compleat, Fleetcool EX, Fleetcool
and Fleetcool Recycled.
Cummins, tel (+27 11) 321-8712
