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Transitioning to a New Lube Supplier
Larry Young, Maintenance Planner, Florida's Natural
Growers
If both suppliers have the same product, or a like product there
is no problem. Product B can go right in behind product A. However,
that's probably not the case.
The new supplier should recommend the needed changes, or in some
cases make the necessary changes. While the cost of lube products
may be small compared to other aspects of a maintenance budget,
it would be cost effective to keep the old product and phase it
out instead of just getting rid of it.
If both product's inventories are controlled, this should not
be a problem. Also, if there are only a few personnel making the
changes, there will be less problems. The individual gear boxes
can be left alone until their normal annual change out. Then they
should be locked out and the proper drain, flush, and refill should
take place. In the larger oil systems, only change out the oil
if the analysis says it needs to be changed.
When the time comes to change it, a complete draining and flushing
of the old product from the tank, hoses, cylinders, etc needs
to be done. The filters should be replaced and the tank filled
with the new product. After a short period of running, its a good
idea to change the filters again to catch any of the last residue
that didn't get flushed from the system. Also, a base line oil
analysis should be run as soon as the system stabilizes.
With the grease, a complete purging needs to be done because
of compatibility issues. Grease lines need to be disconnected
from the bearings and the old grease pushed out through the lines.
New grease should be put into the bearings with a manual gun until
the new grease starts coming out.
Automatic grease systems should have the old grease removed from
the container, new grease installed, and the lines disconnected
and purged with new grease. Electric motors should have the purge
plug removed and new grease installed to push the old grease out.
After the motor runs for a short time, the plug can be re-installed.
In all cases when changing to new oil or grease, always tag the
equipment to let every one know which product is in the unit.
Its a good idea to monitor the equipment with the new product
for a few days to be sure there are no leaks or blown seals from
the change.
See other responses
to this Readers Challenge.
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