How to make your machinery oils & lubricants last long
In the industrial business, continuous production is a must and on-going reduction of downtime is essential. An ardent equipment operator knows that one easy way to realize this is by making sure that machinery is properly lubricated. Lubricants protect the machinery from wear and corrosion, ensuring longer life and smoother performance. They reduce friction between moving parts delivering operational safety whilst reducing environmental impact and improving productivity.
Here’s a line-up of quick tricks to help you achieve all this and more.
Using the right lubricant makes a big difference.
Go for a lubricant that is designed, tested and proven to deliver outstanding performance and protection to your machine – maximising equipment investment. Choose a lubricant that performs in some of the toughest conditions imaginable. Tick off these three factors before you pick one for your machinery.
Choose a lubricant that is perfectly viscous for your machine
If the viscosity of a lubricant is different from what is needed for your machine, it will not be able to lubricate the component effectively. If a lubricant’s viscosity is too high, it may not flow adequately to where it is needed. If it is too low, the fluid might not sufficiently separate and protect the parts as intended. Pick a performance-proven lubricant that complements your machines in every way to ensure smooth working.
Go for additives that help boost lubricant’s performance
When you choose a lubricant that comes with a lot of additives, you enhance the lubricant’s performance and extend equipment life. When the machine is in use, it heats up and the lubricant combines with moisture, combustion by-products like gasoline, rust and other contaminants to produce sludge and varnish. The additives not only assist in maintaining good lubrication, they also help minimise sludge and varnish. Thus, enhancing equipment reliability and reducing maintenance, limiting potential employee risks.
Ensure that your lubricant is contaminant free at all times
It is vital to follow best practice in storing, dispensing, mixing and keeping systems clean. Contamination will cause lubricants to deteriorate and weaken their best function: protection to machinery. Take reasonable steps to avoid ingress of foreign substances. Make sure that barrels are stored undercover and the jugs and funnels are free from dust and dirt. Protect an in-use lubricant with good filtration to ensure that it operates at peak performance.
Apply right amount of lubricant
The quantity of lubricant to be applied is often given little attention. Over-packing parts can be just as damaging as under-greasing them. Don’t fill a part until a lubricant oozes out as it can lead to premature wear, increased power consumption and high temperatures. Too little of lubricant can lead to friction and corrosion of the machine parts. Maintain an optimal volume of lubricant that is most beneficial to your equipment.
Monitor lubricant level in the equipment regularly
Industrial machinery is engineered for extremes. But it is better to act much before they hit the extreme. Servicing your equipment before it goes wrong is easier, cost-effective and more convenient than fixing it after the damage is done. Lubricants are too often forgotten about, and machines are left to get on without it. Take time to routinely check lubrication levels to make sure you maximise your return on every investment: From pennies to minutes. Lubricants don’t last forever but the parts they protect will last a lot longer if the lubricant is changed regularly. Whatever be the service interval, hours or work done, make sure you keep an eye on servicing. That’s a smart way of keeping things moving smoothly.
Machinery is the backbone of an industry. With a right lubricant and some extra care, you can ensure enhanced equipment uptime reducing maintenance expenses and boosting your competitive edge.