Slewing ring lubrication on a crane
How a minor lubrication adjustment improved uptime
Initial situation
In many operations, slewing ring lubrication is performed routinely, often without prior cleaning or inspection. As a result, gear teeth cannot be properly assessed, and lubricant is applied without knowing whether the critical contact surfaces are adequately protected.
This was also the case for a crane operator in Finland. Greasing was done monthly using a brush or central system. Although substantial amounts of grease were applied, the condition of the gear teeth remained unknown, and signs of wear could easily go unnoticed.
Before cleaning.
To improve reliability and control, the operator sought a more structured approach that would:
- Allow full inspection of the gear teeth
- Ensure correct lubricant placement on the flanks under load
- Reduce grease waste and contamination
- Avoid unplanned downtime and unexpected failures
Solution
Interflon carried out a complete cleaning, inspection and relubrication of the slewing ring. The process included:
- Degreasing with Interflon Degreaser EM30+, Metal Clean F and Power Wipes
- Relubrication with Interflon Food Grease LT2, a high-performance, PFAS-free grease enhanced with MicPol® technology
After cleaning.
After 68 days.
By removing the old grease first, technicians were able to fully inspect the gear teeth. No damage or abnormal wear was observed. The new lubricant was then applied directly to the tooth flanks, forming a uniform film where it was most needed. Time required: 2.5 hours with two people.
A follow-up inspection 68 days later showed:
- A clear, consistent lubricating film on the tooth flanks
- No signs of wear or dry contact
- No excess grease or contamination outside the working zone
The operator is now developing a custom access platform to make future servicing even safer and more efficient.
By making a small change in approach, cleaning and inspecting before relubrication, the team moved from routine preventive maintenance to a more proactive, controlled and condition-based practice.
Interflon Food Grease LT2, enhanced with MicPol® technology, ensures lasting protection with minimal grease use, exactly where it matters: on the flanks under load. The result? Better insight, longer component life and fewer surprises.
Benefits at a glance:
- Visual confirmation of tooth condition
- Reliable film formation on critical surfaces
- Lower lubricant usage
- Short, effective servicing with no unexpected downtime
- All products used are PFAS-free
