Spreader Painting wasteoil on manure spreaders

exeter_acres · Jun 27, 2002

Here is some info I dug up after a very quick search..

from the site <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mcswmd.org/oil.html>http://www.mcswmd.org/oil.html</A>

During use, motor oil comes in contact with bearings, seals and other engine parts which add heavy metals and other contaminants considered hazardous to humans. So improper disposal creates a real threat to human health. Used oil dumped onto the ground reduces soil productivity, contaminates groundwater, and can poison fish and other wildlife.

It would be more environmentally friendly to use new oil straight from the can if anyone insists on using motor oil..

My 2 cents (All I can afford right now!)

Curtis

phantom309 · Jun 27, 2002

Hi Ozarker-

Not trying to be a smart alec, but are you advocating that we all use oak flooring in our trailers?

Or are you implying that since your trailers are great, then trailer flooring deteriation should not be a problem for anybody?

FWIW, I have a four year old gooseneck flatbed with a pine floor and the (pine) planks are splitting and cupping. On the other hand, I put a similar floor in an old stock trailer about six years ago and that floor actually looks better. Must be the (~80%) shade given the floor by the stock trailer roof and sides. I guess that Mother Sun must be the main enemy of these floors.

phantom309 · Jun 27, 2002

Here's a question for everybody that I don't think I've seen asked yet:

Would it be any less of a problem to use tranny fluid or gear lube instead of motor oil? Still contacts seals and bearings (mentioned in article), but it's not exposed to combustion temps or receive any ring blow-by as motor oil.

That'd be a good option for tractor owners. My tractor holds only 8 quarts of motor oil, but 36 quarts of tranny/hydro fluid.

Just a thought.

Hillbilly · Jun 27, 2002

Would not be a bit of a problem....if you had some...I have motor oil on hand......thats what I use.

cowboydoc · Jun 28, 2002

Rich,
You're a great guy and a good friend.

RichZ · Jun 28, 2002

Thanks, Richard, the feeling is very mutual!!!

Anonymous Poster · Jun 28, 2002

has anyone thought of the fact that we all grease our tractors. to pump in grease in every little fitting obviosly the old stuff must come out or we would never need to grease them would we. it just comes out slowly and drips every so often, think of how many grease cartriges you go thru in a year, i would think it is more than a bit of oil that might wipe off a manure spreader.

RichZ · Jun 28, 2002

Your point is well taken, Richard (Cowboydoc) said it earlier in the thread. I just want to reduce contamination on my land is much as possible.

Ozarker · Jun 28, 2002

Ok, I'm weak and I'm jumping back in.

Yes, that has been thought of. Most automotive applications have gone to permanently sealed joints to reduce that type of contamination on the roads. Not sure why tractor MFG's don't do the same but there are some areas that will always require greasing.

I think you are missing the point. It isn't about being perfect. Anytime you run mechanical equipment anywhere there is a possibility of ground contamination from petroleum products. We all understand that and accept the risks. The trade off would be to go back to horses and that is an unreasonable option.

The point was to reduce the possibility of contamination where ever we could. We have to grease our equipment and we have to treat the wood on the spreader. But we don't have to use used oil for that project.

Your grease argument is equal to a "trash truck" argument. We all know that the trash truck looses small bits of trash as it travels from our houses to the landfill. That trash winds up along the road. Knowing that is a reason to try and build a better truck or a better trash bag to contain the trash. It is not an reason to say what the heck and just throw trash out of out cars as we drive down the road.

Again, it is not about being perfect. It is about making better choices where we can.