Stunning and bleeding lines in poultry processing
Stunning and bleeding lines are among the most contamination-intensive zones in any poultry plant. Overhead conveyors carry full loads while being continuously exposed to blood, high-pressure washdowns, aggressive disinfectants and heavy mechanical stress. Standard lubricants wash away within hours, leaving chains unprotected, shackles stiff and gearboxes at risk of leaking directly above the product.
The consequences are immediate and measurable. Chain corrosion accelerates replacement cycles, bearing failures cause unplanned stoppages and gearbox leakage onto carcasses is one of the most cited causes of HACCP non-conformities and BRC audit findings in this zone.
Interflon's PFAS-free, NSF H1 lubricants with MicPol® technology maintain film integrity through every washdown cycle, resist displacement by blood, water and disinfectants and keep chains, bearings and gearboxes running longer with less intervention. In documented applications, chain lifetime doubled from 1.5 to 3 years and relubrication intervals were extended from weekly to monthly.
Applications in stunning and bleeding lines
Lubrication for poultry stunning equipment → Chains, bearings and gearboxes on CO₂ and electrical stunning systems from Stork and Marel. Documented results: chain lifetime doubled, rust eliminated, micro-stoppages reduced.
Lubrication for poultry bleeding lines → Overhead chains, shackles, bearings and gearboxes on bleeding line conveyors. Documented results: chain lifetime doubled, dripping oil eliminated, relubrication intervals extended from weekly to monthly.
Frequently Asked Questions about lubrication in poultry stunning and bleeding lines
The main lubrication challenges in poultry stunning and bleeding lines are chain corrosion, bearing washout and gearbox leakage. These zones combine heavy mechanical loads with continuous exposure to blood, high-pressure washdowns and aggressive disinfectants. Standard lubricants wash away within hours, leaving metal surfaces unprotected and creating both maintenance costs and HACCP non-conformity risks.
Oil dripping onto carcasses in stunning and bleeding zones is prevented by using a high-adhesion NSF H1 lubricant that maintains its film under heavy washdowns rather than accumulating and dripping. Interflon Food Lube G150 uses MicPol® technology to bond to chain links and deliver a stable, controlled film without excess oil build-up. In documented applications, switching to Food Lube G150 eliminated dripping oil and removed a primary source of HACCP non-conformities in overhead conveyor zones.
Gearboxes in poultry stunning and bleeding lines require an NSF H1 lubricant that eliminates routine oil changes and resists leakage above the product line. Interflon Food Grease HD00 is the preferred solution for these applications. It replaces conventional gear oils, eliminates routine oil changes, reduces operating temperature and removes leakage risk directly above carcasses.