A new local lubricant for the agricultural industry

The latter stages of 2024 brought the announcement of a new, locally-developed multipurpose lubricant for the agricultural industry from Fuchs Lubricants South Africa (Fuchs).

The new lubricant, Agrifarm Utto Flex, is ideal for transmissions, final drives, hydraulics, and oil-immersed brakes of agricultural and even certain off-highway equipment, according to Fuchs application engineers manager Greg Tarr.

“It is a premium lubricant for the agricultural industry, offering quality and value at an attractive price point to position Fuchs as a leader in this competitive sector,” adds Hayley Arnesen, national sales manager – automotive aftermarket. The product is likely to be added to Fuchs’ global product portfolio in the near future, which Arnesen says is  “a real feather in the cap for the local lubricants industry”.

The agricultural industry is demanding and maintenance-intensive when it comes to equipment. Moreover, it is cyclical, which places significant stress on lubricants and related products. Most lubricants are developed for environments where vehicles are cruising at around 60km/h, but agricultural equipment is in constant use, operating steadily between 2 and 20km/h. “This not only requires a very robust lubricant, but the cooling of the product is crucial, since it typically runs hotter than it would in standard truck applications,” explains Tarr.

This means the lubricant must perform exceptionally well under diverse and arduous conditions, especially being an all-purpose product. “It is a real benefit for customers to have one product that can be used across their entire fleet of agricultural equipment,” says Arnesen.

The new Fuchs lubricant meets 99% of all hydraulic requirements, 100% of wet brake requirements, and covers all transmission needs. It has been developed in accordance with benchmark OEM standards. Tarr emphasises that this is a recommendation, rather than an approval. “This means we have tested it against products that do have approvals and have seen positive results, plus it performs well compared to competitor products,” he explains, adding that the list of compatible brands will grow as the new lubricant gains traction in the agricultural industry.

Agrifarm Utto Flex is miscible and compatible with conventional branded gear oils. However, warns Tarr, mixing with other gear oils should be avoided for best results. He adds that a complete oil change is recommended when converting to the new product. Major benefits include superior load carrying and anti-wear protection, as well as high oxidation, corrosion, and foam resistance. “The fact that it is ideal for transmission and hydraulic applications also significantly reduces inventory costs for farmers,” Tarr says.

He adds that many South Arican farms combine different types of agriculture – from grains to livestock – using diverse equipment, along with standard equipment required to perform multiple tasks. This places extra demands on a typical agricultural fleet.

Given persistent drought conditions in parts of the country, fluctuating agricultural product prices, and ever-tighter margins, Tarr says any potential savings on maintenance requirements can have a significant impact on any farming operation’s bottom line and viability.

Agrifarm Utto Flex is planned to be widely available by September 2025, in time for the intensive planting season from September to November. “We are genuinely excited about the potential for this product in the agricultural industry, especially in terms of increased productivity and reduced maintenance,” Arnesen says.