Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/229047
ML LUBE-TIPS The "Lube-Tips" section of Machinery Lubrication magazine features innovative ideas submitted by our readers. Additional tips can be found in our Lube-Tips email newsletter. If you have a tip to share, email it to us at editor@noria. com. To receive the Lube-Tips newsletter, subscribe now at www.MachineryLubrication.com/page/subscriptions. Advice for Oil Sampling Before taking a large number of oil samples using pre-labeled bottles, mark the bottle caps with enough information to enable quick recognition of which bottle you need to pull out for sample points. This procedure enables you to go directly to the correct sample bottle without having to search through the entire box looking at labels to find the right one. It also saves a lot of time and helps eliminate using the wrong bottle. Magnet on a Dipstick for Quick Inspection For better visual inspection of an oil's color, paint a magnet white and permanently attach it to the dipstick of a reservoir. If particles become stuck to the magnet, you know further investigation is required. Prevent Sample Bottle Collapse When you are sampling using a vacuum-type pump, hot oil or exceptionally viscous oil can result in the plastic sample bottle collapsing, making it difficult if not impossible to pull sufficient vacuum to draw out the oil sample. To prevent this, get a short piece of clear, rigid PVC pipe with an internal diameter that closely matches the outer diameter of the plastic sample bottle. Slide this over the 16 | November - December 2013 | www.machinerylubrication.com outside of the bottle before drawing a vacuum with the hand pump. The rigid plastic sleeve prevents the bottle's collapse, and the clear plastic enables the sampler to see when the bottle is full. The fit or gap between the sleeve's inner diameter and the sample bottle's outer diameter does not need to be snug. However, the larger the gap, the less effective the sleeve is in preventing the bottle's collapse. Post Your Oil Cleanliness Trends Place a trend chart of ongoing oil cleanliness for all to see on the front of all major reservoirs. Any change in the trend (up or down) can promote questions and actions within the maintenance team. Remember, cleanliness control is the responsibility of everyone, and having a visual representation of cleanliness prominently mounted will promote improved housekeeping by keeping reservoirs and equipment clean and sealed. Safety Tips for Oil Storage Areas Consider the following safety tips for your oil storage areas: • Fire extinguishers should be located strategically throughout the lube room. They should also be inspected and tested on a regular basis. • All spills should be cleaned up promptly. • Used rags and absorbents should be placed in approved containers immediately after use. The container should be emptied at the end of each shift. • Good ventilation is required in the lube room to vent hazardous fumes such as those related to solvents. • Solvents should rest on a grounded surface to prevent sparks from static electricity. Improving Oil Change Procedures While quick-connect couplings may be considered best practice, if they are not in the maintenance budget, you might try the following method to help keep a gearbox drain plug clean during an oil change. After capturing particles from the magnetic plug to examine later, clean and dry the plug, then place it in a zip-lock bag. Label the bag with a magic marker. If the gearbox case is ferrous, stick the bag on the case near the filling point. If the case is not ferrous, tie the bag with a strap or similar fastener near the fill point to remind you to put in the plug before filling the gearbox with oil. This will keep the drain plug clean, prevent it from getting lost and remind you to replace it before filling with fresh oil.