5 Lubrication Problems and How to Avoid Them

Whatever it is that needs a bit of oil or grease, from a tractor, a truck, a CNC machine or even a door hinge, getting it right is essential to avoid the cost of inefficient running, breakdowns, wear or even catastrophic failure.

It has been said that nearly half of machine and engine problems can be attributed to their lubrication, and at Pennine Lubricants we often get asked how to avoid these problems, and we see many examples of lubrication practice from the excellent to theÂ… less excellent.

Here are a few things to consider, regardless of whether you manage a fleet of trucks, a busy factory full of machines or just want to stop that door hinge squeaking.

Have a plan, have a schedule, have a system

ItÂ’s obvious but it is still a huge cause of lubrication problems. Servicing something before it goes wrong is easier, cheaper, and more convenient than fixing it after it has gone wrong. Oils donÂ’t last forever but the parts they protect will last a lot longer if the oil is changed when required. Also remember that oil and air filters have a vital part to play in getting the most from your oil. Whatever the service interval, hours, miles or work done, make sure someone has responsibility for servicing and keeping things moving.

Get the right Lubricant

Lubricant choice these days is bewildering and more complex than ever before. Old chemistry is phased out, new chemistry becomes available and products change every year. Choosing the right oil can be a real headache and the days of one oil for everything are long gone. By keeping up to date with new specifications, changes in legislation and additive technology, as well as market trends, your Pennine Technical Area Managers are well placed to advise on everything from Boron free cutting fluids to Low SAPS technology engine oils. Choosing the right oil has never been more important.

Not too much, Not too little

An often overlooked area of lubrication is the quantity applied. This is particularly true with grease, and overpacking bearings can be just as damaging as under greasing them. Filling a bearing until grease oozes out is common, but can lead to premature wear, increased power consumption and high temperatures. Getting the optimal volume of lubricant is essential to reduce friction and to provide protection from wear, corrosion and oil breakdown. This can be particularly important in water mix metal working fluids where optimal dilution can avoid many problems and provide considerable production and health and safety benefits.