Direct Jobber Craig Hamrick of Macomb, Ill. has been a firefighter in charge of
fleet maintenance for 23 years.
"My wife and I have been Dealers since 2006 and became Dealers after seeing
the impressive results AMSOIL demonstrated in the fire department fleet," Hamrick
said.
The fire department is a commercial account of Dealer Glenn Mike Arnold, Hamrick's
sponsor. "We have used AMSOIL lubricants since 2003 in the fleet," Hamrick
said. The department has 11 vehicles and numerous small engines and generators,
all running with AMSOIL products. "Glenn's knowledge of AMSOIL products has
helped us select the right products for our needs. Every vehicle in our fleet has
AMSOIL installed from front to back."
AMSOIL Powers Generator
The Macomb Fire Department generator at the main station is an Onan 150kw unit that
is powered by a Cummins QSB 6.7 liter diesel. It also has AMSOIL filters and lubricants
installed. It has a BMK23 with an EaO26 full-flow filter and an EaBP110 by-pass
filter. For ease of oil sampling, there is a petcock on one of the ports on the
filter housing.
The engine is filled with AMSOIL 5W-40 Synthetic Diesel Oil (DEO). "The reason
for choosing DEO over AMSOIL 15W-40 Synthetic Diesel Oil (DME) is the slightly better
flow characteristics of the DEO for cold weather start up," Hamrick said. "While
this unit has a block heater to keep the coolant warm, the oil can still be fairly
cold. This generator must go from stopped to running with full electrical load in
less than one minute. The cold flow characteristics of the AMSOIL diesel oil provide
maximum protection and peace of mind for me and the department."
The fuel is also treated with AMSOIL Diesel Concentrate Plus Cold Flow Improver
(DFC) at each fill-up.
"The savings are substantial," Hamrick said. "We only change oil
based on oil analysis now, where before we changed every three months or 250 hours.
Fleet uptime is one of the most important benefits for us. Our equipment must respond
and perform at maximum capability every time. The generator is just as important."
Oil Analysis Proves AMSOIL Benefits
Hamrick said he was a skeptic of extended-drain intervals when he first was approached
about AMSOIL synthetics. However, he soon learned the saving potential of AMSOIL
synthetic lubricants. The department saves money through the reduction of waste
oil generated, as well as on equipment repairs and services, both in time and labor.
The department regularly sends oil samples to Oil Analyzers as part of its maintenance
program.
"The proof is in all of the oil analysis reports," he said. "We can
see by the results."
AMSOIL lubricants are especially well-suited to emergency services where every second
counts.
"You never know when you're going to get that call, and there isn't a lot of
extra equipment available," Hamrick said. "We need our equipment to be
ready and able to perform."
Even during the winter months, the generator has "instant oil pressure"
when it's fired up, he said. "If you walk into our station all you will see
in our maintenance room is AMSOIL products."
Growing His Own AMSOIL Business
Hamrick specializes in commercial accounts because his background is in heavy-duty
diesel equipment. "My business isn't growing as fast as I would like, but it's
stable," he said. "We get new customers every week."
Name recognition of AMSOIL has improved in the five years since he became a Dealer.
"AMSOIL is easier to sell now than even when I started as a Dealer," Hamrick
said. He credited AMSOIL INC. for its work garnering AMSOIL brand recognition in
numerous markets.
His experience with the products also helps him with other fleet managers as he
tells them his first-hand experience of AMSOIL cost savings, equipment performance
and longevity.
"It's all about saving money and extending the life of the equipment,"
Hamrick said.
Craig Hamrick
Firefighter/Fleet Maintenance and AMSOIL Direct Jobber
