Mobile hydraulic equipment outpaces industrial counterparts nearly two-to-one (65% versus 35%) in the global market, and represents the more lucrative market for hydraulic fluid manufacturers. Last year, the combined market generated spending of approximately $77.5 billion. The mobile application market alone will expand by $11.72 billion (5.38% CAGR) from 2023 to 2025. (Source: Infiniti Research, Technavio Global Hydraulic Equipment Market 2020-2024, All rights reserved.)
In terms of the fluids used to power these machines, mineral-oil-based fluids still dominate the market, but new technologies that enable more efficient hydraulic equipment operation are closing the gap.
This is because the demand on hydraulic fluid over the life of the equipment is greater than ever. For example, hydraulic equipment OEMs are reducing sump volumes (to lower overall weight) and extending oil drain intervals (ODIs) to reduce long-term fleet operating costs. Now, less hydraulic fluid is required to run applications such as front-end loaders, bulldozers, excavators, and backhoe loaders. These new equipment trends require lubricant manufacturers to adapt their fluids to meet these changing needs.
Here are the three most important trends that are affecting the hydraulic fluid market in 2022 and beyond.
Energy efficiency
Engineers are trying to minimize power losses and improve equipment’s overall efficiency by reducing the number of bends, joints, and filter differentials. This will ultimately save energy over the life of the equipment.
Getting the best efficiency is top of mind for fleet managers when they spec new equipment, although how to measure results depends on the application. In some cases, the efficiency can be measured in lower fuel/electricity consumption. In others, the goal is an increase in productivity—to complete more work per shift.
No matter what the objective, the hydraulic fluid used in a machine can have a significant impact on the end user. After all, changing the mechanics of the equipment to improve efficiency may be impractical and cost prohibitive. Changing to a high-performance hydraulic fluid, on the other hand, can result in improved energy efficiency and be more cost effective.
With more equipment moving toward improving power density while minimizing power losses, modern hydraulic fluids must be formulated with appropriate additive packages to accommodate these new demands. Forward-thinking manufacturers of additive are hard at work to improve these aspects of their portfolios, and this trend will continue for the foreseeable future.
Environmental friendliness
Regulatory bodies have refocused their attention on keeping the environmental effects of hydraulic fluids to a minimum, which is encouraging lubricant manufacturers to change the environmental profile of their products. In fact, a recent trend has been to move to bio-hydraulic fluids. In some areas, such as forestry or waterways, bio-hydraulic fluids are mandated. Typically, to claim bio-degradability, the fluid degrades greater than 60% in a standard test (e.g. OECD-301). Widely available bio-degradable hydraulic fluids are around 30-40% more costly than standard hydraulic fluids. These have increased in market share and are expected to continue to grow in future decades.
The world is moving away from Group I base stocks to Group II base stocks. More efficient equipment puts the fluids under ever increasing pressures (often as high as 450 bar) increasing the likelihood of a hose or fluid line breakage, the resultant spillages and leaks will have a negative impact on the surrounding environment.
As more end users become aware of the need for more environmentally friendly hydraulic fluids, the pressure will become even more intense on manufacturers to meet those needs.
Total cost of ownership
Perhaps the most important trend in the hydraulic market for fleet managers, however, is the trend toward lowering their total cost of ownership (TCO) of the equipment. The downtime caused by the need to drain and replace the hydraulic fluid in any single piece of equipment is a major inconvenience for operators. The loss of productivity during this period can be directly translated into loss of profits. For that reason, many OEMs are seeking to extend ODIs to help make fleets more productive.
Although the ideal ODI varies from OEM to OEM, lubricant manufacturers are creating premium hydraulic fluids which extend the drain intervals across the spectrum of equipment that they are employed in. This will allow end users and fleet managers to minimize the costs of downtime and maintenance, enhancing their productivity and profits.
Summary
With these new and enhanced hydraulic fluid requirements coming to the forefront, today’s standard specifications must be changed to close the gap between theoretical and real-world performance. Developing relevant, new testing methods can account for today’s and tomorrow’s performance needs.
In short, hydraulic equipment is continuing to evolve at a rapid pace, and the hydraulic fluids that keep them running smoothly are changing as well. Whether new formulations are designed to improve energy efficiency, be more environmentally friendly, or extend the ODI, lubricant manufacturers are putting all their energy into making sure their hydraulic fluids are designed to meet the changing requirements of the equipment they serve.
Information provided by: The Lubrizol Corporation
Authors: Adrian Fitzpatrick is the global industrial OEM manager for The Lubrizol Corporation; Matt Thom is a technology deployment manager for The Lubrizol Corporation.
