Dynamometer Testing of Energy Efficient Hydraulic Fluids and Fuel Savings Analysis for US Army Construction and Material Handling Equipment

The US Army uses MIL-PRF-2104 SAE 10 hydraulic fluid in its construction and material handling equipment. This oil meets basic performance requirements but has not been optimized for hydraulic system efficiency. Hydraulic system efficiency is important because fuel transportation has unique costs and dangers in military applications. Two energy efficient hydraulic fluids were compared to MIL-PRF-2104 SAE 10 in dynamometer testing. The higher efficiency fluids reduced internal leakage flow losses and decreased low-speed motor friction. Fleet-wide fuel savings estimates for US Army construction and material handling machines were derived from engine fuel consumption models, vehicle mission profiles, hydraulic circuit analysis and dynamometer test results. The savings due to reduced fuel consumption was estimated to be $8,000,000 per annum.