www.machinerylubrication.com
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July - August 2015
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An ISO VG 220 synthetic gear oil replaced the original oil.
The planetary gearbox assembly with the guard shroud
removed for viewing
recommended. The OEM's response was, "You are doing what no
other customer of ours currently does. I'd keep it up. The exchange
program is not necessary with this comprehensive strategy."
Continued Cost Savings
Now fast forward to 2013. The two planetary gearboxes are
still in service, and all parameters continue to be carefully moni-
tored. The original oil was replaced with an ISO viscosity grade
220 polyalphaolefi n (PAO) synthetic gear oil after the 10 gallons
of oil that came with the new machines ran out. Considering the
initial estimate of $8,000 per gearbox every two years, the cost
savings of reconditioned gearbox purchases alone totaled more
than $112,000.
The city of Fort Collins' oil analysis program continues today in
the capable hands of the Water Reclamation and Bio-Solids Divi-
sion's maintenance staff. These skilled craftsmen still employ a
proactive maintenance strategy with these gearboxes as well as
with many other assets in the division. On several occasions, in
order to thoroughly clean the internal cavities of these machines, the
staff has completely disassembled, cleaned and rebuilt each of these
centrifuges, saving the city tens of thousands of dollars. Through it
all, the planetary gearboxes have been removed and re-installed
without the need for replacement.
While the city's oil analysis program includes a number of
other assets, with several worthy of their own testimonials, the
proven strategy for these two planetary gearboxes continues to
speak for itself.
