Our Parts & Service Representative will work with you to develop a plan tailored specifically to your operation. They will consider the type of equipment you use, the nature of your work, and your current maintenance practices. Many large fleet operators find Caterpillar’s S.O.S. (Scheduled Oil Sampling) program invaluable for identifying issues in critical machines — those they can least afford to have out of service due to unplanned repairs or catastrophic failures.
SOS Fluid Analysis
Preventive Maintenance at Its Best
Allied’s Scheduled Oil Sampling (S.O.S) Program
Developed by Caterpillar for all reciprocating engines, transmissions, final drives, and hydraulic systems, S.O.S is preventive maintenance at its finest. It was developed by people who know engines better than anyone and who have a vested interest in better performance, longer life, and increased customer satisfaction.
No other oil analysis program is as thorough or as reliable in predicting potential trouble early.
Each S.O.S. test provides three specific types of diagnostic tests.
By identifying contaminants, wear metals, and changes in fluid properties before they lead to failures, S.O.S services help reduce downtime, extend component life, and lower overall operating costs — keeping your equipment running at peak efficiency.
Wear Analysis
monitors machine wear by detecting, identifying and assessing the amount and type of metal wear elements found in used oil.
Chemical & Physical Tests
detect the physical presence of unwanted fluids (water, fuel, antifreeze) in the oil.
Oil Condition Analysis
identifies loss of lubricating properties by quantifying combustion byproducts (soot, sulphur, oxidation and nitration products).
Important: When you receive your S.O.S test results, they are clear, concise, and easy to understand. They call for specific, immediate action and/or make carefully outlined recommendations – recommendations that add efficiency and productivity.
S.O.S Expert Analysis
S.O.S testing is simple and quick. Everything you need is included in a handy, complete kit. Sample testing is done in the laboratory by trained technicians utilizing the most modern equipment. These experts know what’s happening inside your equipment. They draw on a large historical database for your equipment to make comparisons and establish meaningful trends. They know speed is crucial; delays can be costly.
Most S.O.S test results are available within 24 hours after receiving the sample. If a critical situation is identified, you are immediately notified by telephone. Otherwise, evaluations and recommendations are supplied in an easy-to-understand report. This comprehensive report calls for specific action and/or makes carefully outlined recommendations which, when used, can result in greater efficiency and productivity.
| Indication | Problem Area & Causes | Potential Wear |
|---|---|---|
|
Soot Excessive |
Oil Degradation, Thickening |
Bearing Damage, + / or Piston, Ring, Liner Wear |
|
Oxidation Increase |
Oil thickening, Varnish, Carbon |
Piston, Ring, Linear Wear + / or Bearing Damage |
|
Chromium, Molybdenum, Iron |
Stuck or Broken Piston Ring (s) |
Ring, Liner Wear |
|
Silicon, Aluminum, Chromium, Iron |
Dirt Ingestion, Poor air Filtration |
Piston, Ring, Liner Wear |
|
Silicon, Lead, Aluminum Iron |
Dirt in Lower Engine |
Crankshaft Bearing Wear |
|
Copper, Aluminum, Iron |
Oil Degradation or Contamination |
Rod eye, Wrist Pin Wear |
|
Aluminum, Chrome, Iron |
Oil Degradation, Abnormal Operating Temp. |
Piston, Ring, Liner Wear |
|
Lead, aluminum |
Oil Degradation or Contamination |
Crankshaft Bearing Wear |
|
Fuel |
Oil Contamination, Visc. Loss |
Bearing Damage + / or Piston, Ring, Liner Wear |
|
Water (NA) + / or Glycol |
Coolant Lead, Oil Contamination, Sludge Formation |
Bearing Damage, + / or Piston, Ring, Liner Wear |