When it comes to lubrication, there are so many myths and untruths surrounding certain practices that you can so easily find yourself doing the wrong thing and costing your company money, despite your best intentions. So, we have put together this article in the hopes that we can help you identify the most common lubrication myths, save money and ensure your company is implementing the best practices across the board.
Overgreasing is okay
This is one of the most prominent myths, and one which can cause a lot of problems, as well as great financial losses. The fact is overgreasing does not help your machinery run more smoothly – quite the opposite. Having too much grease can cause equipment to overheat, create seal damage and cause a general degradation of your lube, even if you are using a product from a high quality manufacturer such as Shell.
To avoid this problem, follow them manufacturer’s recommendations for grease levels and always clean the nozzle of your grease gun before using.
OEM hardware accessories are good enough
One of the biggest myths in the industrial industry is that OEM hardware accessories are perfectly adequate. These accessories, which include things like cent plug breathers and dipsticks, can cause contamination of your lubricants, resulting in poorer performance and a shorter shelf life for your lube.
By switching these accessories with proper equipment like minimess valves, magnetic drain plugs, etc., you can save your lubricant, save your machinery and save money in the long term.
Filtering and decontaminating incoming lubricants is unnecessary
It is an enduring myth that you do not need to do anything to new oil before using it. It seems like common sense to think that new oil will be clean and ready to use, but this is seldom the case and new oil is frequently dirtier than lube that has been equipment developed. It is a lot easier to remove any contamination before the oil enters your machinery than it is to try and remove it once inside your equipment.
Correct storage is no big deal
Many people in the industry are convinced that improper storage of lubricants is no big deal, but they are wrong. Storing lubes correctly will ensure that they remain contaminant free, which will make them last longer and ensure that your decontamination efforts are not wasted due to the carelessness of an employee or due to an environmental factor.
