Machinery Lubricants: What You Need To Know

By September 30, 2019Blog

One of the most important things you can do in regards to keeping your machinery running and in top quality is to make sure it is properly lubricated.

You may be wondering to yourself,  what is machinery lubricant and how does it affect operations when it’s used? This blog will answer these questions and more by covering the fundamentals of lubrication. We will discuss how a lubricant works to remove friction, the physical and chemical properties of the lubricant, and the many functions of a lubricant.

Many people believe that a lubricant is simply used to make things “slippery.” While it is the primary function, there are more advantages to using the right lubricant.

What is a lubricant?

In order to avoid failures of this nature, we lubricate our machinery to minimize the resistance to movement, and as a result, minimize the amount of heat produced. The heat that is produced by the equipment is transferred to the oil so that it may be removed by a lube oil cooler.

There are a lot of considerations that must be applied when selecting the type of lubricant we need to use: viscosity, additives needed, properties, etc. Essentially, it is used to reduce friction.

What makes up a lubricant?

All lubricants start with a base oil. There are three types: mineral, synthetic, and vegetable. In industrial applications, we mostly deal with mineral and synthetic.

Testing lubricants

Lubricants reduce friction around any moving machine. A schedule of good lubrication maintenance extends the life of large machinery equipment and parts.

Lubrication is one of the first and most important of maintenance checks. Look for signs of excess oil or grease build-up on pistons, also look for leaks around oil seals.

Ensure to use the right lubricant. There are significant kinds of oil and grease for every component. Check the manufacturer’s guide for further guidance.

Getting the lubricants frequently checked is a good way to diagnose problems with large machinery. Experts analyze particles in the used oil. The makeup of any contaminants will indicate which part may be suffering from wear or breakdown.

Here at Stoddards,we’ve been stocking Morris machinery lubricants for well over 50 years. As Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire reliable team of professionals, we keep your business, farm and leisure machinery and vehicles ticking over with our high-quality lubricants. From engine oil and tractor fluid to gear oil, we stock an extensive range of machinery lubricants six days a week with same or next day delivery across Cheshire and Derbyshire. Get in touch to find out more about what we can do for you.

RICK McKAY

Author RICK McKAY

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