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Keeping your equipment productive with grease relubrication
From product selection to best practices, these are the ins and outs of grease relubrication.
Industry Voice by CITGO Petroleum Corporation
October 1, 2019
4 Min Read
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Modern farm equipment is designed to improve efficiency and reduce maintenance costs by having engineered many new features to make farming more productive with reduced downtime.
However, regardless of how the equipment has been modernized there still remains the need to re-lubricate the grease fittings on machinery. The fact that there are moving parts under load that need protection against wear, seal out contaminants, lubricate under a wide range operating weather and temperature conditions and reduce the need for too frequent of re-lubrication are all factors for discussion. Let’s get real about grease re-lubrication on farm machinery, operators want to stay on the machine and not have to stop to re-lubricate any more than possible while knowing the expensive equipment is protected. This opens up the need to be better prepared to select a grease that will accomplish these objectives.
The question of how often to re-lubricate? Start by always knowing and referring to the manufacturers recommendations but also consider operating conditions. Due to farming environment, the exposure to contamination is a big factor as well as operating temperatures. The greater the exposure to debris from tillage or harvesting the greater the tendency to contaminate grease lubricated components. Also operating at higher ambient temperatures can break down a grease faster requiring more frequent re-lubrication. Some have even reported that a simple “sound test” is a signal to re-lubricate. That is waiting until the sound of metal on metal produces a high pitched sound alerts the operating it’s time to re-lubricate. The problem with this technique is that some damage has likely been done to the component awaiting re-lubrication. Whatever the past practice there are some factors to consider when selecting a grease.
What are some guidelines to protect grease lubricated components and optimize overall performance?
Re-Lubrication best practices
Always clean off around the grease fitting. Failure to clean the grease fitting before applying grease could result in introducing contaminants into the component resulting in increased wear or clogging the grease fitting orifice so as not to allow the entry of grease.
Do NOT over lubricate or apply excessive amount of grease. This could lead to a ruptured seals and or excessive grease outside the fitting can actually attract contamination as well as create a mess on the machine and end up on the ground or floor of the shop. Stepping on a clump of grease will not make you spouse happy when walking back into the house that evening!
Know that some greases are not compatible with each other. This can lead to grease run out and lack of lubrication as a result. Always check with your grease supplier when considering changing grease brands to confirm grease compatibility.
Grease selection – Grease is often an overlooked lubricant and consumers may often depend only on cosmetic factors such as color, tackiness or information that on product labels that describes the grease as suitable for high temperature, general or multi-purpose applications. It is important to know that the design of the grease can provide some critical performance advantages. Advantages that will allow the grease to stay put longer under more severe operating conditions in addition to greater load carrying capability to protect highly loaded components and reduce wear over time. Here are things to look for in shopping for a grease for farm equipment:
To simplify the selection process, the basic considerations when selecting are often driven by wanting a multipurpose grease that could be used to relubricate wheel bearings as well as chassis on trucks and various applications of farm equipment. If this is your primary objective, look for a grease that meets the NLGI(National Lubricating Grease Institute) consistency rating of either #1 or #2 and NLGI GC/LB rating indicating the grease is good for both wheel bearings and chassis type applications. The consistency rating of #1 or #2 applies mostly to weather conditions with #1 being more of a winter grade for easier pumpability and #2 a grade for warmer conditions depending on the climate conditions.
If you are looking for a grease with greater wear protection and a grease that will stay longer in service in the event you can relubricate as often, there are greases designed with qualities that can extend both the service life and wear or load carrying capabilities which is important especially in more severe operating conditions. It is highly recommended that you contact your grease supplier to learn more about grease options and performance capabilities of their grease products
Mystik Greases
Mystik JT-6 greases have long set the standard for performance. Mystik offers a variety of greases but for farm equipment and heavy duty trucks consider the following:
Mystik JT-6 High temp multi-purpose grease is designed to provide excellent service in a variety of operating conditions and range of applications from wheel bearings to chassis and a variety of farm equipment applications.
Mysti JT-5 SHD 460 grease is designed for the farming operation that wants added protection of superior longer lasting grease retention and load carrying capability when relubrication frequency is challenging and operating conditions are most severe.
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