Are You Surfing for E-Lubes?

It's been interesting to watch the progression of companies selling lubricants on the Web. A few have boomed while others bombed along with many other dot-com companies last year.

The survivors have been joined by a host of new contenders in the e-lubes arena. And why not? Industry is increasingly becoming more reliant on the Web to find bargains and streamline the purchasing process.

Consider Websites like www.lubeplanet.com which guarantee that you'll save up to 30 percent, while other sites like www.gulflubes.com say that when you to 'go direct' you save money.

Do you purchase lubricants online? I'd like to hear about your experiences, good or bad. Send me an e-mail at mramsey@noria.com and let me know.

I'll summarize your comments and provide a list of lube e-tailers in an issue of Lube-Tips later in the month.

Mike Ramsey
mramsey@noria.com

Book Bits

From "The Lubrication Engineers Manual":

Consumption Reports

Some companies monitor gal of oil lost per operating hr to more closely gauge their loss reduction efforts. Where this method is used, changes in productivity will not distort loss- reduction efforts. A higher than normal consumption on a monthly report usually generates the maintenance action required to maintain the loss within reasonable limits.

Click here for more information about "The Lubrication Engineers Manual".

Today's Tip

• To ensure that the proper lubricant is used in a bearing, use a thin colored washer at the fitting and paint the grease gun the same color as the washer. To install the washer, unscrew the grease fitting - find a washer with an inner diameter a little larger than the outer diameter of the threaded shaft of the fitting. Insert the fitting into the washer and screw in the washer/fitting assembly. (Tip submitted by Don Carrell, Fiske Brothers Refining Co. Thanks Don!)

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Q & A

"What is the best material to use when flushing out a large circulating system prior to a new fill?" -- Rodger Shaffer

The ideal answer is to use the same type of product that you will use as a final lubricant. Short of that, the next choice would be a lighter viscosity product of the same brand name category. If neither option is viable then contact the manufacturer of the product for direction on the use of a flushing oil that is compatible with the final product choice.

It is important to test the lubricant after the final fill is completed and the oil has circulated thoroughly (seven times through the pump for a circulation system) to confirm that the viscosity is in the correct range. Viscosities can be adjusted by blending heavier components to bring up a low viscosity or vice-versa.

Mike Johnson, Noria Senior Technical Consultant

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Lube-Tips is published by Noria Corporation. Oil Analysis and Lubrication Experts