In selecting the lab instruments and tests for the S•O•S program, Caterpillar engineers begin by asking what information from used oil samples would best identify component condition. Each S•O•S test is designed to reveal specific information about the condition of Caterpillar products. They are discussed in more detail on the S•O•S Program Oil Analysis Tests page.
S•O•S Program Tests
The core tests for the S•O•S program consist of the following:
-Wear Metal Analysis (copper, iron, chromium, lead, tin, aluminum, molybdenum, silicon, and sodium)
-Physical Tests (Fuel Dilution Detection, Water Detection, Glycol Detection)
-Oil Condition (FT-IR: Soot, Sulfur Compounds, Oxidation, Nitration)
Oil companies place a similar emphasis on analyzing their product - oil. For this reason, programs offered by oil companies invariably place heavy emphasis on such things as viscosity and additive levels - the same tests they perform at their blending plants. Blending oil is their particular expertise; however, oil companies are not experts in establishing oil specifications to achieve maximum component life; that is the concern of the component manufacturer.
Independent oil laboratories lack the proprietary wear data and machine profiles that only Caterpillar dealer labs can access. Because of this they can only give a standard interpretation based on generalized component information. Personnel from both oil companies and independent labs frequently call Caterpillar and the Dealer Labs in an attempt to decipher their own sample results.​​sers get to know you.
Put simply, the four benefits which have been reported as most meaningful to customers are:
-Accurate analysis using tests designed by Caterpillar for Caterpillar products
-Knowledgeable interpretation (who knows Caterpillar products better?)
-Quick turnaround - most S•O•S test results are available within 24 hours (or less) after receipt of the sample.
-Recommendations in understandable language - other labs often try to impress users with technical information.
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Customers appreciate the facts and recommendations in simple, easy-to-understand communications.
Oil analysis is very similar to medicine. At the end of the day, you want the best information available, not just the test results. In the case of disease, the doctor interprets the medical test results and provides information on treatment options. PT Trakindo Utama S•O•S lab does the same thing. We provide information about the problem and then help you decide the best course of action.w you.
