Choosing the right grease to lubricate your heavy equipment can be confusing at first. After all, there are so many types and brands on the market today. How can you be sure you’re using the right one to keep your heavy equipment in tip top shape?
Using an all-purpose grease isn’t always the right decision, even though it can seem like a simple choice at first. So, does the grease you’re currently using make the grade?
First, a look at why oil and grease are important. Just like your joints protect your bones when rubbing against each other, grease and oil make your equipment’s gears work seamlessly. They also prevent metal-on-metal grinding of moving parts. When you grease your machines the right way, you ensure a long-lasting shelf life for optimal performance through the years.
Not only do you have to grease regularly, you have to use the right type of grease.
Many of you may prefer to stick with one type of grease for convenience and for keeping a regular inventory. However, not all products are created equal. When selecting a grease, review the owner’s manual recommendations if you can. This is a great starting point.
Use the Right Grease for the Season
Grease is available in several levels of viscosity, which is a fancy word for thickness. Choosing a higher viscosity is ideal during the summer months because it thins out during periods of hot weather. Greases that feature a lower oil viscosity perform better in the winter. Synthetic grease does well in both summer and winter, as it’s temperature extreme-resistant.
Use a Different Grease for Extreme Pressure
Heavy equipment is designed to work under extreme pressure operations in many cases, such as machinery that is continually under heavy stress and shock loading. In these cases, you may find the manufacturer recommends a grease with a molybdenum disulfide, or “moly,” additive. The moly can penetrate even the smallest machining marks on pins and bushings so that they don’t make contact with one another.
Use Different Grease for Different Parts
Temperature of the machine is also a consideration. Use a less viscous grease for brakes that experience periods of high operating temperatures but stay cool otherwise. Use a more viscous grease for parts that operate at consistently high levels of heat. Try synthetic grease in these applications.
Use Marine Grease for Wet Conditions
If your machines are exposed to wet conditions on a regular basis, use marine-grade grease. That’s because it’s made with lithium complex thickeners, protecting machine parts from both salt and fresh water. It will also protect machines during extreme pressure uses.
Remove Old Grease
Prior to using the new type of grease you chose, purge the old grease from the system. That’s because incompatibilities can exist between certain greases. You can purge through degreasing and pressure washing.
Contact Taylor Oil
Need more advice on which grease is best for your machinery? Want to schedule oil delivery this summer? We can help. Contact Taylor Oil today by using our convenient online form.