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In This Issue

» Easy Grease Test Uncovers Bearing Issues
» Grease and Oil Expertise a Competitive Advantage
» Lube Trivia: Heat Resistant Grease Thickeners
» Nine Reasons Oil Analysis Programs Fail

Easy Grease Test Uncovers Bearing Issues

Here is a simple onsite test for checking bearing condition with grease ferrous debris analysis. When the equipment is available, get a small grease sample from the bearing and dissolve it with a solvent in a small, clear oil sampling bottle. If you have multiple bearings, try to use the same amount of grease and solvent for each.

After the grease is dissolved into a liquid, tape a small round button magnet to the outside of the bottle. Tilt the bottle at an angle so that the liquid flows up towards the cap on top of the magnet. After 30 minutes, stand the bottle straight up so that the liquid flows back down and let the ferrous dry inside the bottle with the magnet still attached. After drying, remove the magnet and you can determine if there is any ferrous metal.

You can use this method with multiple samples in order to determine if one bearing is wearing faster than others. I have used this method for years and, as a result, have identified several abnormal conditions. (Lambert Wang, mechanical engineer, Amtopp Corporation)

Step-by-step instructions and photos online.

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Drum Handling Videos Online
Drum rotators (tumblers to destratify additives in drums) are among many demonstration videos!

Plus: forklift attachments, drum rackers, rotators, palletizers, vertical lift pourers and more. CLICK HERE

Grease and Oil Expertise Can Be a Serious Competitive Advantage

From the book "Rules of Thumb for Maintenance and Reliability Engineers"

An enormous amount of productivity is lost because the correct oil or grease is not properly installed at the right time. Lubrication is a critical responsibility, but in many organizations effective techniques and the technicians who know and do them get little respect. Building the role of lubrication experts – your "men in black" – is a relatively low-cost way to materially improve reliability.

Studies have shown that 70% to 85% of equipment failures are self-induced, meaning that maintenance practices and processes are directly responsible for the failures. A recent study I conducted online shows that poor lubrication practices represent about 40% of maintenance-related self-induced failures.

Read more about the book "Rules of Thumb for Maintenance and Reliability Engineers"

Free Sample of Oil Eater
Cleaner Degreaser
This unique non-flammable cleaner is water-based, fresh scented and biodegradable. It contains no acids, abrasive or petroleum solvents and is USDA approved for non-food areas.

Request a sample

Lube Trivia: Heat Resistant Grease Thickeners

Test your knowledge and prepare for ICML lubrication and oil analysis certification.

Question: Which type of grease thickener is more resistant to high temperature? Simple soap, 12-hydroxy soap or complex soap?

Get the answer.

Nine Reasons Oil Analysis Programs Fail

Many oil analysis programs are failures. Maybe not total failures, but they are almost certainly not delivering the results they could be and should be. Here are some of the most common reasons why oil analysis programs do not live up to their expectations. Read the article ...

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