From snowplows clearing frozen roads in the winter to roadside mowers and city dump trucks working in the summer, the Ohio township’s fleet of over 30 vehicles never takes a break from the 148 miles of roads. That means constant starts and stops, season after season, with heavy equipment pushing through extreme cold, road salt, rain, and dust. Over time, all that wear adds up. It’s inevitable that hoses will break, and seals will leak.
When something fails, it often happens in the middle of a job, on the road, in a ditch, or right in front of a concerned homeowner. A fleet like that needs fluids that can handle the pressure without creating a bigger problem when something breaks. To ensure safety, performance, and environmental protection, the hydraulic systems powering those hardworking trucks, loaders, and maintenance equipment need to be tough and dependable.
Dan Kamerer, road superintendent for the road department, is responsible for maintaining all the township’s roadway. This includes snow and ice removal, road repairs such as crack sealing streets and pothole repair, ditch and storm sewer cleaning, catch basin repairs, sign installations and repairs, roadside mowing, street sweeping, pavement markings and repair of curbing and road resurfacing. He uses Renewable Lubricants Bio-Fleet Hydraulic Fluids in every piece of equipment required for these varied tasks.
“We’ve been using Renewable Lubricants for at least 15 years,” says Kamerer. “Pretty much every piece of equipment we run has their hydraulic oil in it.”
With 14 single-axle dump trucks, seven one-ton pickups, and a lineup of specialty vehicles like street sweepers, roadside mowers, and woodchippers, the township’s equipment endures near constant use. A consistent product across the fleet simplifies maintenance and prevents compatibility issues by lowering the chance of cross-contamination or improper fill while also reducing risks when something goes wrong.
HYDRAULIC FLUID BUILT FOR YEAR-ROUND DEMANDS
Lake Township’s Class A dump trucks are outfitted with the SwapLoader systems that allow crews to change out different beds, from dump boxes to chipper beds to flatbeds depending on the day’s needs. These setups are essential for maximizing equipment use, but they also require a lot of hydraulic power (and 40 gallons of fluid).
“You’re going to blow a hydraulic line eventually,” says Kamerer. “It just happens with this kind of work.”
Unlike petroleum-based fluids, Renewable Lubricants’ hydraulic oils are biodegradable and non-toxic, which means a hose failure on the road doesn’t automatically trigger a hazmat situation.
“That’s the biggest thing. When a line blows, it’s not a hazardous material spill,” says Kamerer. “We don’t have to shut down operations or call in a hazmat team.”
Renewable Lubricants’ formulations are designed to perform in cold weather, where traditional fluids may thicken or gel. This can be especially critical during early morning operations when snow removal begins before dawn. The high viscosity index of Bio-Fleet ensures smooth operation, even during Ohio’s harshest cold snaps, and reduces strain on pumps while improving response times.
During a recent snow and ice storm, a weekend event that started with 11 degrees and heavy snow, jumped to 45 and rain, then dropped again to single digits, as a result one of the township trucks blew a main hydraulic line in a neighborhood cul-de-sac. About 20 gallons of fluid spilled into the street before the driver could react.
Kamerer and his mechanic responded immediately with sand and oil dry to contain the spill. The hydraulic oil they use is dyed blue green for visibility, so they were able to see exactly where it had spread. As expected, nearby residents were alarmed and worried about contamination.
“Once I told them it wasn’t hazardous, you could see the worry lift,” says Kamerer. That makes a big difference in public perception.”
A SAFER, SMARTER ALTERNATIVE FOR MUNICIPAL FLEETS
Hydraulic fluids are engineered to perform like synthetics while staying economical enough for high-use environments. Formulated from renewable agricultural resources, they meet EPA standards for Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs), making them safe for use around water, ditches, and drainage systems.
Bio-Fleet is designed to resist rust and separate from water, which helps protect internal components and avoid problems like sludge or corrosion. Moisture protection is important for township vehicles because they operate outside in wet, dirty, and sometimes salty conditions. The fluids are also zinc-free and non-bioaccumulative, with a higher flash point than traditional fluids, making them safer around hot-running equipment. With anti-wear additives, rust inhibitors, and excellent oxidation resistance, it protects hydraulic systems while reducing the environmental risk of spills.
The fluids are made from high oleic base stocks, which are renewable vegetable oils that help with stability in both extreme heat and cold. This helps reduce wear on hydraulic parts and keeps everything running smoothly, even when trucks are working in below-zero temperatures. The fluid’s oxidation stability helps extend service intervals and preserve pump components, especially in equipment exposed to heavy use or temperature extremes. Over time, that translates to reduced maintenance costs and longer equipment life, which are concerns for any budget.
“A lot of newer superintendents call me for advice,” says Kamerer. I’ve sent quite a few to Renewable. Their product works, their customer service is great, and the people are just good folks.”
As more cities look for ways to stretch public dollars and reduce environmental risk, Lake Township’s choice offers a smart approach. Choosing biodegradable hydraulic fluids protects local ecosystems and helps communities prepare for new sustainability standards.
For townships looking to run leaner, cleaner fleets with improved performance, Lake Township’s story shows how better fluids can make a big difference on and off the road.
for more information
Renewable Lubricants, Inc. began as a research and development company in 1991, developing high performance products that would directly replace petroleum-based products. Starting from a single corn-based engine oil developed in the inventor’s garage, the company now offers more than 250 products and has over 100 patents worldwide. They manufacture their products as environmentally friendly as possible. To learn more, call: (330) 877-9982, email: info@RenewableLube.com, or visit: www.renewablelube.com.
