The Ultimate Guide to Oils and Lubricants for Construction Machinery

The use of Hitachi Genuine Oils and Fluids for your Hitachi Construction machinery ensures optimum performance as well as increasing the overall reliability and productivity by protecting the individual components and extending the lifetime of your equipment. They are also proven to last longer than other oils and will reduce your running costs. Proper lubrication from Hitachi Genuine, approved and tested products is not just a maintenance task – it is an investment.

Only Hitachi Genuine oils have been field and bench tested by Hitachi Construction machinery and are proven to meet our stringent criteria.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the essential oils and lubricants necessary for construction machinery, their functions, and why choosing the correct type is crucial for maintenance and performance.

Why Oils and Lubricants Matter

Construction machinery is often exposed to harsh environments, heavy loads, and continuous operations. This constant strain can lead to accelerated wear and tear if proper lubrication is not provided. Oils and lubricants perform several critical functions in construction machinery, including:

1. Reducing friction – By minimising metal-to-metal contact, lubricants prevent damage and wear between moving parts.

2. Heat dissipation – Oils help to disperse the heat generated from the mechanical operation, preventing the machinery from overheating.

3. Corrosion protection – Lubricants form a protective barrier against moisture, dirt, and other contaminants that can cause corrosion.

4. Contaminant control – They help trap and carry away debris, particles, and contaminants that could damage internal components.

5. Improved efficiency – Proper lubrication reduces resistance in moving parts, allowing the machine to work more efficiently with less energy consumption.

Types of Oils and Lubricants Used in Construction Machinery

The oils and lubricants used in construction machinery come in different types, each designed for specific parts of the equipment. Understanding the appropriate lubricant for each component is key to ensuring maximum efficiency and reducing the risk of breakdowns. Here’s a breakdown of the primary types:

1. Engine Oils

Engine oil is critical for the smooth operation of the machinery's engine. Heavy-duty diesel engines, common in construction equipment, require high-performance oils that can withstand high temperatures and pressures while providing strong protection against wear and corrosion.

Hitachi Genuine Engine Oil DH-2 is a lubricant dedicated to all Hitachi machinery engines used in earthmoving activities like quarries, construction, mines, etc. It is fully approved by Hitachi Construction Machinery and specifically developed for engines compliant to the latest Emission Standards, which requires exhaust gas treatment systems. Its semi-synthetic formulation provides a better temperature resistance, and its Low-Saps chemistry allows a long oil drain interval without any muffler filter clogging due to the lubricant ashes. This lubricant can be used in all diesel engines complying with former Emission Standards* while providing the guarantee of better durability of the engine and all its components.

*ZX-3 ZX-5 ZX-6, ZX-7, ZW, ZW-5, ZW-6 and ZW-7 machines.

*For Zaxis-1 and older models, Hitachi Genuine Engine Oil DH-1 is recommended.

Hitachi Engine Oil is available to purchase from one of our 14 nationwide depots as well as from our online web shop on our website.

Visit our contact us page to speak with your local depot or visit our web shop to view our stock.

2. Hydraulic Oils

The hydraulic system is the heart of construction machinery, controlling everything from lifting arms of excavators to the slew and travel motors. Hydraulic oils are specially designed to transmit power within hydraulic systems while also providing lubrication to the moving parts.

Characteristics of Good Hydraulic Oils:

- Excellent wear protection

- High thermal stability

- Anti-foam properties to prevent cavitation

- Resistance to oxidation and corrosion

Choosing the right hydraulic oil is crucial, as it directly affects the machine's performance.

Hitachi Genuine Hydraulic Oil 5000 is a high-performance lubricant dedicated to high pressure hydraulic circuits of Hitachi machines used in earthmoving activities like quarries, construction, mines, etc... Fully approved by Hitachi Construction Machinery, it is strongly recommended to extend the useful life of machines’ hydraulic components and achieve drain intervals of 5000 hours. This zinc-free lubricant can be used in all types of hydraulic circuits. Its very stable viscosity guaranties optimum performance over a wide range of temperatures.

Hydraulic Oils must be changed more frequently, particularly in dusty environments, otherwise can lead to oil contamination. So, we developed Hitachi Genuine Hydraulic Oils especially for machines using multiple attachments, including breakers to give the best protection possible.

And since it has a high viscosity index, it is also perfectly suitable for hotter operations.

Shop Hydraulic Oil.

3. Gear Oils

The gears in construction machinery aid the transition of power from the engine to the tyres, tracks or slew, via gear boxes, axel and final drives and they undergo significant pressure and friction. Gear oils are formulated to provide extreme pressure protection, ensuring smooth operation under heavy loads.

Key Considerations for Gear Oils:

- Extreme pressure (EP) additives to handle high loads

- Anti-wear properties to extend gear life

- High viscosity to cushion heavy loads and prevent gear wear

Hitachi Genuine Gear Oil 90 has been developed to meet the high-quality standards of Hitachi Construction Machinery for hydraulic excavators. This gear oil prevents gear rusting and corrosion as well as demonstrating excellent lubrication.

Shop Gear Oil.

4. Grease

While oils are liquid lubricants, grease is a semi-solid lubricant that stays in place, making it ideal for machinery parts that cannot be constantly lubricated with oil, such as bearings, joints, and pins. Grease is used in areas that are prone to high pressure, shock loads, and constant movement.

Hitachi Genuine Grease EP2 can be used on all operating parts of your construction machinery. The multipurpose formula protects parts from wear and corrosion and can be used in wet, dusty and dry conditions, this results in reduced maintenance and downtime along with extending the lifetime of your equipment.

Shop Grease.

5. Transmission Fluids

Transmission systems in construction machinery ensure that power is transmitted from the engine to the wheels efficiently. These fluids are designed to lubricate the transmission system, reduce wear, and keep the machinery running smoothly.

The use of Hitachi Genuine Transmission Oil ensures optimum machine performance, especially if your large or ultra-large excavators are operating in harsh conditions 24 hours a day.

Shop Transmission Oil.

How to Choose the Right Oils and Lubricants

Selecting the appropriate oils and lubricants for your equipment depends on several factors:

1. Manufacturer Recommendations: Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the type and grade of oil or lubricant to use. They are specifically designed to meet the needs of your equipment’s engine and components. If in doubt check the operator’s manual or check with your Hitachi Construction Machinery Product Support department.

2. Workload and Usage: The type of operation the machinery performs also influences the type of lubricant. For example, equipment used in heavy-duty applications or continuous operations may require oils to offer enhanced protection between oil changes.

3. Service Intervals: Regular maintenance is key to extending the life of your machinery. Using high-quality oils can achieve long service intervals, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

4. Environmental Conditions: Machines operating in extreme temperatures may require specific oils with the correct viscosity. In cold climates, low-viscosity oils that flow easily are crucial, while high-viscosity oils are necessary for hotter operations to provide adequate protection.

If in doubt check the operator’s manual or check with your Hitachi Construction Machinery Product Support department.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

- Using the wrong type of oil: Not all oils are interchangeable. Using an incorrect oil can lead to poor performance, increased wear, and even damage to your equipment.

- Ignoring oil change intervals: Overused or degraded oil can cause the machinery to overheat, accelerate wear and lead to potential failures.

- Not checking for contamination: Oils and lubricants can become contaminated with water, dirt, or other substances. Regularly check and replace them to ensure your machinery operates smoothly.

- Not checking manufacture approval: focusing only on viscosity and ignoring the required quality approvals indicated via:

- ACEA (Association des Constructeurs Européens d’Automobiles)

- API (American Petroleum Institute) / ILSAC

And For Hitachi Construction Machinery:

- JASO (Japan Automotive Standards Organisation)

If you are in doubt how to check and to make sure you use the right lubricant, choose only Hitachi Genuine Oils.