Lube Tips

New Grease Gun Caution

Before installing grease into a new grease gun, consider disassembling the gun and cleaning it thoroughly. Metal shavings have been found in new grease guns. These metal shavings appear to be from the manufacturing process of the grease gun.

Avoiding Contamination in Dirty Environments

Machines operating in an extremely dirty environment, such as in a forge or foundry, require extra care to prevent contamination. Try to keep the equipment sealed and avoid unnecessary opening of the reservoirs. Install quick disconnects in tanks and on fill vessels for filling or topping up hydraulic tanks. Add mainstream sampling taps on all equipment. This will result in a true indication of the oil’s condition, avoiding any bottom sampling.

Preventive Measures Make Sense

Catastrophic pump failure on circulating and hydraulic systems can damage more than just the pump. Consider using oil strainers or filters upstream of all equipment components to prevent pump failure debris from damaging these machines. This is also important for kidney-loop systems with expensive heaters and oil/water separators.