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S·O·S℠ Services Fluid Analysis

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accessing your machine results are changing, our commitment to your service is not!

VISIT VISIONLINK

S•O•S Fluid Analysis will be making a transition from the SOS Web platform to VisionLink®, a more advanced and integrated solution for managing equipment health and performance. This move will greatly enhance how you manage your equipment health, unlocking greater speed, accuracy, and confidence. Backed by modern analytics and deeper integration with the Cat Condition Monitoring ecosystem, this transition streamlines your workflow from sample submission to service action – all from within VisionLink®. Whether you’re managing the samples on a few machines or a large fleet, the new platform delivers a simpler, more intuitive experience designed to reduce downtime and prevent costly repairs.

*PLEASE NOTE*

Coming Soon, VisionLink will be the ONLY way to access your oil, coolant, and fuel samples. Samples will no longer be emailed or mailed from the lab. Please stay tuned for any updates regarding this change.

What Do I need to know?

Streamline and improve

VisionLink® offers several advantages over SOS Web:

  • Centralized Access: View SOS sample results alongside other equipment data in one platform.
  • Improved Usability: A modern, user-friendly interface makes it easier to navigate and interpret your data.
  • Mobile & Web Access: Stay connected to your fleet from anywhere using VisionLink’s mobile app or web portal.
  • Enhanced Insights: Get actionable recommendations based on fluid analysis, fault codes, and maintenance schedules.
  • Seamless Integration: VisionLink connects with your existing Cat systems, giving you a complete view of your equipment’s health.

Results Made easy

With VisionLink® being your new access hub for your fluid analysis results, you will want to make sure you set up notifications. 

For a detailed demo of how this works, please see this video or download this one-page instruction sheet.

The New Standard

We understand this shift might sound difficult. That is why we are here to demystifying the changes. Below are the new ways to interact with your fluid analysis experience.

*Please Note* These changes have yet to take effect. We do believe however, that it is valuable to have these instructions as a guide for when the switch happens. Please stay tuned for any updates regarding this change.

For a full list of these individual processes and procedures, you can download the full Training Workbook here.

Manage Assets and Team

Setting up your VisionLink account also allows you to assign who on your team is able to see and access information for your equipment, keeping proper management in order. Learn more about Asset Visibility here:

LEARN MORE HERE

Reach out!

We’re here to help! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give our Lab a direct call at 860-594-4860. Or fill out the contact form below and one of our SOS lab technicians will reach out to you shortly.

REACH AN SOS SPECIALIST

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The H.O. Penn Standard

At H.O. Penn, we will also connect you with our Genuine Cat Parts and Equipment Service departments, located throughout New York and Connecticut, who can provide all the assistance you need to keep working.

Let us help you with your fluid analysis needs!

  • At H.O. Penn, we typically report results in less than 2 working days for oil and level 1 coolant. Diesel fuel is 2-3 weeks.
  • H.O. Penn reports are useful and easy to understand. We give specific recommendations to solve problems, not just “empty numbers.”
  • H.O. Penn uses the latest instrumentation, methods, and standards. Our lab exceeds Caterpillar requirements for quality interpretation, data management, and turnaround time.
  • Have a mixed fleet? Don’t worry! We can analyze fluids from other manufacturers’ equipment in such industries as heavy construction equipment, trucking, industrial power systems, and marine power applications.
  • At H.O. Penn, we analyze oils and coolants in-house and fuel samples via an independent lab.

Why Scheduled oil Sampling?

Your Caterpillar equipment requirements and the operation of your business are constantly changing, and you need to monitor expenses and repair costs. You can’t afford a breakdown during operation. You must identify a problem before it happens so you can stay competitive in this business.

That’s where H.O. Penn can help. H.O. Penn has designed our Fluid Analysis Program with you in mind. It will help your keep your equipment operating properly so you can finish this job and get on to your next one.

The results are obvious – avoid unscheduled downtime, prevent major repairs, reduced maintenance costs, and maximize drain intervals. Don’t wait, reach out now!

REQUEST A SERVICE TODAY
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SAMPLING BENEFITS

Fluid analysis is a simple way to save money because it looks inside your engine without taking it apart. It is a proven maintenance tool that can increase your uptime and availability, along with your bottom line!

Here’s what you’ll get with H.O. Penn’s Oil Analysis:

  • Twenty-two key element analyses—includes both wear metals and oil additives.
  • The viscosity of all oils is tested.
  • Check for outside contamination from water, diesel fuel, or antifreeze.
  • Oil condition analysis (soot, oxidation, nitration, and sulfur products).
  • Oil cleanliness analysis with Particle Count Technology on non-engine components, such as hydraulic and transmissions fluids.
  • Microscope analysis includes pictures of the particles found in the oil, where applicable.
  • Over twenty-five years of Caterpillar’s oil analysis experience.
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don’t overlook your coolant!

Our Level I Coolant Analysis

Nearly half of all engine failures are caused by poor cooling system maintenance. Here’s what our Level I Coolant Analysis will do for you:

  • Diagnose the condition of the cooling system.
  • Maintenance allows you to correct coolant or cooling system problems before costly failures occur. We verify glycol levels to prevent freezing or overheating.
  • We measure nitrite levels for proper corrosion rate detection, and recommend if extender or SCA’s should be added.
  • We evaluate the condition of the cooling system.
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S·O·S Inspections in Cat Inspect

Prepare a QR code and troubleshoot by watching this video or by clicking the links below.

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How to Maximize your SOS Experience

Results + Parts & Service = Downtime Averted! 

The real goal of H.O. Penn’s Fluid Analysis certainly doesn’t end with what your samples say. It’s in how those results help you make the best decisions for taking care of and maintaining your equipment. And at H.O. Penn Machinery, we have you covered. Whether you’re heading is straight to one of our local Parts Counters, going directly to Parts.Cat.Com or sending in a request straight to one of our Services Departments, the wealth of resources are all here.

Did we mention how all the above can be bundled up nicely for you with help of a Customer Value Agreement (CVA)? Click our the CVA link below to learn about what CVA’s are and how they entitle you to our ‘Back to Work Commitment’. It’s our guarantee to you for Next-Day Parts Availability and Two-Day Repair Completion or we pay up to up to $1,000 in Cat Credits you can apply toward future qualifying parts and service* (Terms and Conditions apply).

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Find out about what our Customer Value Agreement’s (CVA) are and how it ties into our ‘Back to Work Commitment’.

Learn About CVA’s
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Already know you need a service completed? Don’t wait! Reach out via our Service Request today.

Schedule a Service
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The Genuine Cat Parts you need with the H.O. Penn team’s invaluable assistance in choosing and finding replacement parts and installing them on your equipment

Order Parts
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Not every service job is the same. But the risk of missing a critical repair is. Browse our different Service Departments to find out what fix suits your need.

Service Solutions

Under the hood

What Your Samples Might be Telling You

 This picture shows dirt that was dumped into a backhoe loader’s hydraulic system while it was parked on the side of the road. The pump failed shortly after this sample was taken. Magnification is 20X.

This picture shows the damaging effects dirt can have in a transmission. This sample was taken after the transmission had failed. Note the amount of dirt and iron. Magnification is 20X.

The thin oil was unable to maintain proper lubrication. A leaking fuel injector was found to be the source of the fuel.

There was so much water in the oil that as it passed between the crankshaft and bearings, it “steam cleaned” the journal surfaces and seized the bearing to the crankshaft.

This liner became pitted because the coolant was not properly maintained. Conditioner was never added to the coolant and the liner was left unprotected. The result was an avoidable failure and unnecessary downtime.

The oil became oxidized after being left in service too long and began to lose its ability to lubricate properly. You can see the smearing around the piston skirt and the carbon deposits near the piston crown.
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