Machinery Lubrication India Jan Feb 14 10 | Page 10

COVER STORY

3 Other Lubrication Problems to Avoid
Besides the top five problems, there are a few honorable mentions that
should be included in any discussion of recurring lubrication issues
affecting industry. These are problems that aren’t quite as common but still
deserve to be mentioned.

Constant-level Oilers
Although constant-level oilers are great for providing small amounts of oil
to a sump and replenishing lost oil, these devices require proper installation and maintenance. They should be installed on the appropriate side of
the housing so the shaft rotation is toward the oiler. This is more critical
on smaller sumps. Also, the oiler must be installed straight, i.e., level and
perpendicular to the ground. Finally, the oil level inside these devices
should be set so half of the bearing’s bottom element is submerged in oil.
When using constant-level oilers, it is best practice to install a bull’s-eye
sight glass on the opposite side of the housing from the oiler to ensure the
proper oil level is maintained. Sediment can block the piping and starve the
bearing for oil. Air pressure can raise the oil level, causing increased drag
and excess heat in the housing. With the sight glass in place, these issues can
be recognized and corrected before any lasting damage is done.

High-speed Grease
Many facilities use a general-purpose grease for almost everything in the
plant. However, a multi-purpose grease