How to properly lubricate open gears

Open gears are essential components in a wide range of industrial machinery, from cranes and amusement park rides to mills and port facilities. Their exposed nature makes them particularly vulnerable to wear and tear. As a result, effective lubrication is critical to maintain their performance and extend their lifespan.

Selecting the right lubricant

The first step in effective lubrication is to select the right lubricant for the job. This depends on the load the gears bear and the operating environment.

You can use oil to lubricate open gears, but it's typically only used for gears with lighter loads. In most cases, grease is the preferred choice because it can better withstand heavy loads and sticks to gears well. Since substantial quantities are needed, people often use low-quality bulk grease applied with a brush to save money on lubrication. However, it is important to choose a high-quality grease. The right grease can extend lubrication intervals and the lifespan of the machinery significantly.

Application method

The application method is also crucial for effective lubrication. Applying grease with a brush is a common practice, but it has several drawbacks:

1. You use too much grease, typically 8 to 10 times more than needed.
2. When the machine starts up, the gear teeth engage and expel 90% of the grease applied with a brush.
3. This excess grease ends up on the sides of the gear wheel or falls to the ground, causing contamination.

To solve these problems, there are two recommended solutions: lubrication via aerosol or using a high-pressure gun to project grease. These methods ensure that you apply a thin film of lubrication, just enough to prevent metal-to-metal contact between the gear teeth.

Interflon offers an extensive range of industrial greases to provide tailored solutions.

Lubricating large open gears

If you have large gears in applications such as cranes, amusement parks, and various types of mills, you need to be especially careful about the type of grease you use.

For these applications, it's best to choose a grease with a very high viscosity base oil, exceeding 600 cSt. This high viscosity helps the grease to withstand heavy loads better, preventing the lubricating film from breaking down. This protects the gear teeth, reduces wear, minimizes vibrations caused by gear defects, and lowers grease consumption. It also makes the grease more resistant to adverse weather conditions, such as rain or saltwater in port areas.

These benefits clearly outweigh the initial higher investment in a high-quality lubricant.