Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1171112
50 | September - October 2019 | www . machinerylubrication.com correct lubricant. at is, you want to prevent contamination by taking steps to keep it out of the lubricant or removing contaminants as early as possible. You have taken the time to choose the right lubricant and addi- tives, so do not allow the climate, environment or mishandling to disrupt your oils and greases. The simplest way to control contamination is to not allow it into your lubricant in the fi rst place. You might say this is easier said than done, but keeping your oil and grease clean, cool and dry is not as compli- cated as some would have you believe. To prevent contamination, your lubricant storage should be the fi rst area you address. Remember, the act of excluding a gram of dirt or debris will cost approximately 10 percent of what it will take to fi lter it out once it's already inside. ere's no way to accurately calculate how much more expensive it would be if it contributes to machine failure, but needless to say it would be considerably higher. Be sure to check the seals and lids on all drums and totes. Minimize the oil's exposure to air and weather by storing lubricants indoors or at least under a roof. Verify that all oil systems are properly sealed. Inspect lines and tanks for leaks, rust or other signs of failure. Hatches and closures should be fully shut and not obstructed by hoses, dipsticks or other instruments. Your lubricant storage area should also be routinely cleaned. After all, if it's dirty outside, it's more likely to get dirty inside. Purchasing new storage equip- ment or improving your existing storage may not seem like an obvious way to enhance the cost-eff ectiveness of your site. A study by Monash University estimates that it only costs 25 cents per gallon to get oil to an acceptable level of cleanliness (14/13/11 by ISO 4406) to initially store or use. However, cleaning contaminants out of your oil can significantly increase your equip- ment's lifespan. As seen in the table above, improving your oil by only one ISO 4406 cleanliness level will increase machine life by 35 percent. The cleaner it gets, the longer the machine will not suffer lubrication-related failures. The longer the machine goes without failing, the less down- time, parts and labor are needed. In other words, a small investment in cleaning your oil initially will yield huge savings over time by no other means than a reduced rate of failure and downtime. See also the article by Bennett Fitch (page 36) on determining the required cleanliness level (RCL). Handling and Application Closely related to storage, lubricant handling and applica- tion is another area where a little precaution in your practices can go a long way toward improving your results. e key with any task that involves transporting lubricants is to do whatever it takes to keep them sealed and protected from the envi- ronment, as well as to have proper procedures in place. For example, a common means of contamination is when t wo BACK PAGE BASICS Table Legend 300% Increase in Life Extension Current Cleanliness Level (ISO CODE) 35% Increase in Life Extension NEW CLEANLINESS LEVEL (ISO CODE) Machine life-extension table