A big step toward success is choosing the proper lubricant from one of two basic types: mineral-based or synthetic (with the most common synthetic types being hydrocarbon polyalphaolefins [PAOs] and polyalkylene glycols [PAGs]). That choice should be predicated on a product’s characteristics—i.e., viscosity, viscosity index, pour point and additive package.
Conversely, choosing and/or using the wrong product, wrong viscosity, wrong additives, etc., are steps toward improper lubrication. Likewise, not maintaining the correct oil-fill level, operating the gearbox with dirty or contaminated oil and other poor lube practices also can be the kiss of death for your equipment.
Lubricant function in gear reducers
In all speed reducers or gear drives, friction is created between internal moving components. The primary function of the lubricant is to minimize the friction caused by the sliding and rolling action of the gears and bearings and to dissipate heat by providing a thin layer of oil between moving components. With a typical thickness of just 0.00005 of an inch, this layer of oil, known as elastohydrodynamic (EHD) film, separates the mating surfaces of components, preventing metal-to-metal contact and minimizing wear. If the EHD film is insufficient for the transmitted load, metal-to-metal contact of the mating surfaces occurs and causes pitting of gear teeth. No EHD film—or an insufficient amount of it—can also cause scuffing of the gear teeth and leads to bearing and gear failure.
For more information and detailed information on lubricaiton and gear reducers click on link.
Pumps have historically been a backbone of many applications, including commercial buildings, municipal water and wastewater management, irrigation and agriculture; and are certainly key contributors in industrial systems found in chemical, oil and gas, and pulp and paper industries. Pumping systems account for nearly 25 percent of the energy consumed by electric motors, and for 20 to 60 percent of the total electrical energy usage in many industrial, water and wastewater treatment facilities. Optimizing these processes presents extensive potential savings opportunities, which far exceed more commonplace activity such as motor maintenance/optimization and fan/compressor system upgrades.
Hydraulic hoses are literally the life lines of most construction equipment. Nothing can grind productivity to a halt faster than a ruptured hose. A little time invested up front to monitor the condition of the hydraulic hoses and fittings can dramatically reduce expensive failures in the field. “The potential cost of hose failure in terms of lost production, environmental impacts and possible injury to operators and others argues strongly in favor of replacing hoses on a time-based schedule, periodic visual inspection or some combination of the two,” says Douglas Jahnke, marketing manager, Eaton’s Hydraulics Group. “Hose replacement while equipment is already ‘out of service’ as part of a planned preventive maintenance schedule can prevent critical downtime and expense.“As a general rule, hoses should be replaced as part of a preventive maintenance(PM)program, especially in critical applications,” agrees Tim Deans, Gates Global Hydraulic Systems engineer. “Consider that hose shelf life is similar to automobile tires. After four to six years,the rubber begins to break down and you can expect to see visual cracking and weeping around the couplings.”