Before you specify
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same oil as the 12 oz bottles?
Yes. Part 20722 and part 20721 are the same Dahle shredder oil in different packaging: four 1-gallon bottles versus six 12 oz bottles. Choose on volume and handling, not on formulation. If you run one machine and oil it by hand, the smaller bottles are easier to use; if you are refilling automatic-oiler reservoirs across several machines, the gallon bottles cost less per ounce.
How do I get oil from a gallon bottle into the shredder?
Decant it. Pouring directly from a gallon jug into a feed opening is imprecise and tends to over-oil one spot. Use a squeeze or applicator bottle to lay a fine stream across the full width of the throat, then run the machine in reverse for a few seconds. On automatic-oiler models you are usually filling a reservoir instead, which the gallon bottle handles well.
Which of my shredders should not be oiled?
Any Dahle model described as oil-free: the 50310, 50314, 50410, 50414, 50464, 50514, 50564 and 52214, the oil-free CleanTEC 51314, 51414, 51464, 51514 and 51564, both ShredMATIC auto-feed units, and the whole PaperSAFE range. These use cutting cylinders designed to run dry. Oiling them adds a dust-catching residue and provides no benefit.
Does shredder oil have a shelf life?
Dahle does not publish an expiry date for this product, so we cannot quote one. Stored sealed, upright and away from heat, mineral shredder oil keeps well for years. The practical advice is to buy to your consumption rate rather than stockpiling: four gallons is more than a single-machine office will get through in a year.
Will four gallons ship as one box?
Yes, the four bottles are supplied together as a single box weighing around 32 lb. There is no option to buy an individual gallon at this part number. If that is more oil than you need, the 12 oz six-pack (20721) is the smaller alternative.