Are you under the impression that new lubricants are clean? Many people are. While most manufacturers claim to make quality products, not every manufacturing process is of the highest quality. It is these processes or lack thereof that are at least partially responsible for the poor cleanliness of new lubricants. The table below shows an example of particle count data for hydraulic fluids.
The lube room at Cloud Peak Energy’s Spring Creek mine near Decker, Montana, began as an old electrical motor-control-center trailer. Although the trailer was well-insulated and sealed, a location had to be chosen that would be centrally located yet separate from washdown and processing. Once the old electrical components were removed, the lube room was equipped with a fire-suppression system and a new heating/air-conditioning unit for climate control. The floor was then painted with a chemical-resistant, anti-slip coating. Sealed hazardous environment lighting and a new door with a window were also added.
What makes people successful? From the plant manager to the lubrication technicians to supervisors to operators – how do we get the most from those directly or indirectly involved in lubrication?
Film strength is one of the most critical lubricant properties for protecting a machine’s internal components from wear and degradation. It is heavily influenced by the lubricant’s base stock and additives. This article will discuss the importance of a lubricant’s film strength and what impacts its effectiveness.
“What should be included in our lubrication task work orders?”
Lubrication work orders are often quite generic and include simple instructions, such as “clean, lubricate and inspect the component.” When work orders are written in this manner, it can be difficult to ensure the work is being performed in a consistent, best-practice approach. To allow even an inexperienced individual to complete the tasks correctly, the instructions should include as much detail as possible.
