Lubricants can provide a variety of different functions within a given system. They generally are expected to decrease friction, wear and heat in machine components. One of the more overlooked aspects of a lubricant is its ability to influence environmental emissions. By selecting the proper oil, you can help to reduce some of the harmful contaminants that are spewed into the environment without sacrificing the needs of the machine or the performance of the lubricant.
“Can an EP-00 grease be used as a replacement for an ISO VG 220 gear oil? One of my customers is having problems with his enclosed gearbox. The manufacturer-recommended product for the gearbox is an ISO VG 220 oil. However, due to severe wear and tear as well as clearances in the gear teeth, the customer is mixing ISO VG 220 gear oil with an NLGI #2 grease. Using this mixture has solved the problem to some extent. My question is whether I should recommend the customer use an EP-00 grease with a base oil viscosity of 190-220 as a replacement for the ISO VG 220 gear oil.”
As part of its annual Lube Room Challenge, Machinery Lubrication recently asked its readers to submit exceptional lube rooms that incorporate best-practice features. A number of readers met the challenge and were proud to show how their lubricant storage and handling methods have been transformed. The following entries illustrate how a properly designed lube room marks an important step in the journey toward lubrication excellence.
The philosophy at many plants is that if the hydraulic system is operating the machine, don’t mess with it. Frequently, the only hydraulic maintenance ever performed is changing the filters, checking the oil level and performing oil analysis. I recently consulted with a corrugated box plant where the return filter had not been changed since the plant started up 17 years ago.
It is true that the installation of an extension line will produce a longer path for grease to purge out of a bearing, creating more of an opportunity for grease to clog in the purge line. However, this may not be a significant issue if the grease being expelled maintains its original consistency. The real concern is whether the grease is caking and becoming harder.
