The Wheel Bearing Situation and Solution
"70% of our fleet was down with wheel bearing problems," says Vandine. "I knew I had to change my gear oil; it just wasn't doing the job ... the resulting repair costs and downtime were unacceptable."

When Vandine switched his entire line of lubricants exclusively to Petro-Canada, in 2004, he found TRAXON 80W-90 -- a multigrade gear oil formulated to provide excellent long-lasting wear protection to extend equipment life and reduce downtime and maintenance costs.

"Since making the switch to TRAXON 80W-90 I haven't had one wheel bearing problem," says Vandine. Glenview now uses the product on all equipment that requires gear oil. This includes their transmissions, rear ends and gearboxes.

"By using Petro-Canada's HYDREX AW 46 and TRAXON 80W-90 in combination with an oil monitoring program, we're reducing downtime and repairs, and saving a substantial amount of money," concludes Vandine.

Both fluids start with a blend of base oils which includes Petro-Canada's 99.9% ultra-pure base oil made from the patented HT purity process. The unique combination of base oils and additives results in their ability to retain their "fresh oil" properties longer.

Petro-Canada

The Vibracon is a self-leveling, height adjustable and re-usable chock and is used for mounting all types of rotating or critically aligned machinery and comes in different models and sizes. Vibracon mounts are mechanically stiff elements that made accurate counting simple and quick. All Vibracon elements include the spherical top plate and mating middle section. This self-leveling configuration accommodates the angular differences that are inherent with the mounting surfaces. The Vibracons are suitable for industrial, marine and offshore applications and are available in standard steel, stainless steel, alloy steel and K-Monel 500 models.

Canstar Instruments

Weber has announced the availability of the newest version of its exclusive Legitronic® Labelling Software, which includes label design and printing functions as well as radio frequency identification (RFID) smart label encoding capabilities. Version 3.6.0 of Weber's labelling software is an intuitive package that combines advanced editing and other key features to maximize the efficiency of label formatting, editing, printing and RFID encoding for virtually any labelling application. To ease compliance with the newest RFID requirements of many retailers and government agencies, the software supports the encoding of EPC-compatible smart labels to meet Class 1 Gen 2 specifications.

Weber Marking Systems

The "lubripellent" JIG-A-LOO is an invisible silicone-based lubricant with almost unlimited applications in industrial and commercial settings. It stops squeaks, unsticks just about everything, protects against rust and is water repellent. Unlike other lubricants, it contains no oil, grease, wax, or detergent, so it doesn't stain, stick or smell. Suitable for use in both hot and cold temperatures, it works on wood, metal, glass, leather, fabrics and most plastics. It can even be used as a water repellent.

JIG-A-LOO

The Lincoln QLS 401 is the latest generation of the compact Quicklub Lubrication Systems. Reliable and fully automatic, the QLS 401 supplies up to 18 lubrication points using standard industrial grade NLGI #2 greases. QLS 401 includes all of the parts needed to install an automatic lubrication system. Installation of this pre-assembled unit is quick and easy. Simply mount the QLS 401 by drilling four mounting holes, connect the high pressure flexible tubing to the bearings using Quicklinc™ connector and wire the unit into a nearby 120V power source. Set the time interval, fill the reservoir and the QLS 401 is ready to lubricate. A QLS 421 for over-the-road trailers is also available.

Flo Components Ltd.

KoolRite™ 2290 Long Life Coolant is a new generation soluble oil cutting fluid. It does not contain bacteriacides, phenols, nitrites, chlorine, DCHA or phosphorus. The coolant provides a low foam, multi-metal capability, making it suitable for use throughout a metalworking shop. It yields excellent results with carbon and cast steels, high alloy and stainless steels, tool steel and aluminum in grinding, milling, drilling, turning, sawing, tapping, reaming or broaching.

JTM Products

Chute Lube™ Silicone Lubricant is a specially formulated blend of silicones, cross linkers and oils designed to lubricate package handling equipment, food processing equipment, chutes, guides and rail conveyors. Chute Lube™ is delivered by a powerful spray which allows users to apply the product in difficult to reach areas. The surface coating is longer lasting and the product will not stain or cause packages to become greasy. Chute Lube™ is colourless, odourless, non-staining and is harmless to most rubbers and plastics. It is effective in a wide range of temperatures and is NSF-H2 registered for use in meat and poultry plants.

CRC Industries

Sprayon® Safety-Syn Lube, the first synthetic-based lubricant modified with PTFE is available in a non-flammable aerosol. Safety Syn-Lube is colourless and low-odour with a low MHIS rating that allows for incidental food contact. The lube is approved to perform under extreme pressure in applications including hinges, cables, chains, conveyors, and food processing equipment.

Krylon Products Group

Designed for incidental food contact, Lubrizol's 4300FG series consists of components, additive packages and blended fluids that provide maximum flexibility for lube marketers and comply with CFR 21 Section 178.3570 guidelines necessary for NSF-HX-1 registration. Components include a tackifier and a thickener, antioxidants and corrosion inhibitors. Additive packages are designed to enable the lube manufacturer to develop products for diverse applications such as hydraulic oils, gear oils, worm gear oils, chain oils, etc. Lubrizol technology will allow the handling of temperature extremes, high loading and high speeds. These packages may be used in technical white mineral oils, polyalphaolefins (PAO) or vegetable oils, offering the formulator maximum flexibility.

The Lubrizol Corporation

Molykote® L-1428 High Temperature Chain Oil is a synthetic lubricant formulated to resist oxidation and thermal degradation while maintaining stable performance and lubricity over a wide temperature range and under heavy loads. It is also suitable for high temperature bearing applications. Versatile Molykote L-1428 reduces chain drag and wear, extends oil-drain intervals and helps prevent process interruptions. The product has extremely low volatility, will not form carbon deposits and will not smoke.

Dow Corning

The new SiteStar® lube skid enables mechanics truck operators to deliver oil, coolant and water to job sites. The lube skid is suitable for any company looking for a lubrication application that delivers contaminant-free liquids to their equipment without having to buy a full-service mobile lube truck. The lube skid fits conveniently in the back of IMT Dominator® mechanics truck and consists of tanks with hose reels to top off equipment fluids. The Poly tanks are designed not to allow foreign materials to contaminate the fluids and have also done away with welding, thus eliminating stress points that can lead to leaks. In addition, polyethylene offers UV protection, reduces tank condensation and is proven to be impact-resistant.

Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc.

Originally developed for miniature ball screws, these new greases provide improvements in both smoothness and dynamic life of antifriction systems. The new greases are constructed from a new compound of super filtered synthetic lubricants. The MSG#1 is designed for extremely smooth precision motion in antifriction bearings. The grease penetration number is a bit lower to ensure a glassy-smooth, non-sticky feel at low speeds where very fine positioning is required. MSG#2 has a higher penetration number so that it will stay in place during high speed motion, but not so stiff that it will cause churning or increased friction in high speed systems. The lower friction provided by the new MSG grease reduces wear, increases life, and smoothness of recirculation.

The Precision Alliance

Sprayon® 711® is a light oil lubricant for use in general maintenance applications. Known as The Protector™, Sprayon 711 penetrates, lubricates, demoisturizes and inhibits corrosion on numerous kinds of substrates. With a dielectric strength of 47,000 bolts, Sprayon 711 is ideal for use in general maintenance on bearings, machinery, electrical wiring, ignition systems, connectors, linkages, circuitry, transformers, transmitters, operating controls, nuts and bolts, and product equipment of all kinds. The Spray Anyway™ valve on its aerosol can allows spraying in both upright and inverted positions.

Krylon Products Group

Lubrizol 30000 Series additive technology allows oil suppliers to offer a formulation tailored to the unique requirements of motorcycle engines. The products are designed to meet the needs of a full range of motorcycles globally. Motorcycle oils based on the Lubrizol 30000 series meet the latest API engine oil upgrades and provide excellent engine cleanliness and gear wear protection.

The Lubrizol Corporation

Mainly water-based and available in standard, plus and ultimate grades, AmGel™ products are non-drip and can be easily applied by brush, wipe or mandrel lubrication. They have the viscosity of a gel solution and have been developed to provide a reliable lubrication barrier for the majority of light, medium and extremely heavy-duty tube manipulation applications. As a benefit of using AmGel™, bent tubes and components can then progress to MIG, TIG, resistance weld and other processes without the need for washing. At the end of the manufacturing process, the oil-free gel can then be removed by washing in a mildly alkaline, water-based solution. Available in formulations to meet a range of specific tube forming and cutting requirements AmForm™ lubricants can be applied by brush, swab, roller, flood, spray or misting.

AddisonMcKee

THK's new Solid Lubrication System S-Coating Series LM Guide offers completely oil-free operation. The S-Coating Series is suitable for use from atmospheric pressure to a vacuum of 10-6 Pa. The solid lubricant used with this LM guide is highly adhesive and wear resistant.

THK

Emralon® TM-008 is a new water-based, low-VOC, dry film lubricant coating that provides a low coefficient of friction along with corrosion and solvent resistance in permanent lubrication applications. Emralon TM-008 waterborne fluoropolymer lubricant and anti-corrosion coating can be applied by spray or the dip-spin process, which allows for the bulk coating of fasteners, slides and rails, lock mechanisms, seatbelt components and other small parts requiring permanent lubrication. The lubricant coating enables coaters to process more parts without emitting large amounts of VOCs in the process.

Acheson Colloids Company

To enhance productivity by automating preventive maintenance routines, increasing the efficiency of inventory management, and reducing on-site inventory costs, many companies are consolidating lubricant purchases into a single, integrated program. Properly evaluating suppliers will determine the success of such a program.

"Because lubrication management plays an important role in reducing costs and improving productivity, success almost always depends on finding the right single source of lubrication products and services to meet complex needs," says Phil Grellier, global solutions development manager, Dow Corning Molykote lubricants.

Grellier recommends asking the following questions when developing a lubrication management program:

* Does the supplier offer a comprehensive range of products? The suppliers best equipped to meet requirements for diverse lubrication solutions offer a complete line of industrial lubricants, not just a "wide range" of products. Fluids for high-volume applications include hydraulic, compressor and vacuum pump, gearbox and chain, and multipurpose oils. Specialized industrial compounds such as greases, pastes, anti-friction coatings, and dispersions must be added to the mix. In addition, a wide range of base stocks is essential. Synthetics provide excellent resistance to emulsification and promote improved additive performance, which results in longer life than conventional mineral oils, The full-line supplier must also be able to draw on functional additive technologies including anti-oxidant, anti-wear, and extreme temperature additives.

* Does the supplier know how often your lubricant should be changed? Knowing when to change your industrial lubricants is one of the most difficult aspects of maintaining an efficient cost-effective, and safe plant. If you're unsure of when to change your lubricant, you may be wasting money by changing too frequently, or risking damage to equipment because of infrequent changes. The best lubricant suppliers will ensure that you and your staff arte prepared to make well-informed decisions about when to change your lubricant. You should expect your lubricant supplier to offer a thorough analysis program that tracks multiple critical wear-related characteristics of oil in service by comparing the results with previous reports, and notes the trends. It is also important to know how to take a representative sample, and how to interpret the results which come back. Such a program helps identify contamination, lubricant degradation, abnormal machine wear.

* Is the supplier recommending the right lubricant? When evaluating suppliers, look for a product line that meets the requirements of every plant need. These offerings should be supported by local product supply and expert technical assistance that can help maintenance professionals avoid mistakes in lubricant selection and application that can shorten equipment life and stop production. For example, high temperatures in air compressors accelerate reactions between compressed oxygen and impurities, resulting in rapid oxidation and a sudden increase in viscosity and lubricant failure. Mineral oils in air compressors generally last only 1,000 hours. By comparison, a synthetic compressor oil specially formulated for air compressors, can last approximately 12 times as long. The knowledgeable consolidated lubricant supplier understands such applications. Make sure your supplier evaluates the material application and not just the currently used product, which may no longer be the optimum type or family of lubricants for your exact requirements.

"In a complex manufacturing operation, commodity lubricants bought from many suppliers are easy to take for granted," Grellier says. "This is a mistake that can compromise productivity and profitability. The consolidation of lubricant purchasing with the right supplier can help manage and enhance a key maintenance function."

Dow Corning

Canadian Industrial Equipment News July/August 2007

Back to Contents