Before you specify
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I oil my shredder?
It depends on duty rather than calendar. The common practical rule for cross-cut machines is to oil each time you empty the bin, and more often if you are running long continuous sessions or shredding heavily stapled files. Machines with the intimus oiler package handle the interval themselves and only need the reservoir kept topped up. What you should not do is skip it — intimus's warranty explicitly contemplates lubrication failure as grounds for voiding cover.
Should I buy the gallons or the 16 oz bottles?
Gallons if you are refilling an automatic oiler or running high volume, bottles if you are hand-oiling one or two machines. intimus positions the one-gallon jug as the economical option for high-use sites. A single deskside shredder oiled by hand will take a long time to work through four gallons, and there is no benefit to holding stock you will not use within a reasonable period.
Can I use ordinary machine oil or a vegetable-based oil instead?
We do not recommend it. Shredder cutting-head oil is formulated to spread across the cylinders without gumming, and to avoid attacking the plastics and seals in the head. Heavier machine oils can leave a residue that collects paper dust, and some substitutes can leave a varnish on the cutters. If a warranty claim arises, the lubricant used is a reasonable thing for the manufacturer to ask about.
Is a safety data sheet available?
Yes. intimus publishes an SDS for its shredder oil and makes it available on the product listing. If your facility requires the SDS on file before a chemical is accepted at goods-in, tell us at the point of order and we will supply it with the shipment paperwork.
How much oil is in the case in total?
Four US gallons, roughly 15.1 litres, across four one-gallon jugs. For comparison, the 12 x 16 oz case (part 9999943) contains 192 fluid ounces, or about 5.7 litres — a little under a gallon and a half.