The Importance of Proper Gear Lubrication in Mining and Quarrying Equipment

September 8, 2022

With the current economic climate driving up production costs to unprecedented levels, businesses must do everything possible to protect machinery from devastating setbacks that could cost the company extortionate amounts in repairs and cause devastating setbacks in production. As a result, lubrication and wear prevention are essential tools for each miner. With so much machinery required to run a mining operation smoothly and economically, many types of lubrication and wear prevention are required.

To ensure that your mining and quarrying equipment perform at its most optimal performance, lubricate them properly. Read on to know more.  

System of Lubrication

Lubricants provide significant wear protection; nevertheless, they must be applied appropriately to critical locations. As a result, selecting the appropriate lubrication system is extremely important. Automatic lubrication systems safeguard machinery by distributing lubricant in measured amounts to zones of high friction and wear. This guarantees that the machine will continue to function reliably over time. They typically consist of a timer, a pump, and a reservoir, and they distribute lubricant to the region via the pump at intervals controlled by the timer.

Choosing the Correct Lubricants

To guarantee that gears will function reliably in their intended manner, it is essential to select the appropriate lubricant. Many various firms have come up with their brands of lubrication products. These products can all be categorised into three main groups, and each has a unique set of qualities and traits in addition to requiring a unique way of administration.

Introduction of Open Gear Lubricants

There is a wide variety of lubricants available, each of which was developed expressly to give a distinct level of protection to the different kinds of machinery utilised inside a mining operation. Lubricants are applied to the surface of the metal to create a tiny coating, and its primary purpose is to minimise the amount of friction, heat, and wear that occurs in machinery used regularly. They are most commonly used on loaders, shovels, and dump trucks.

Open gear applications, which include machinery such as ball mills, are widely considered particularly difficult to lubricate successfully because they operate at low-pitch line velocities and are frequently tasked with supporting heavy loads. This is because open gears have a larger surface area than closed gears, which makes it more difficult for them to transfer oil. Open gear lubricants that are successful need to have a variety of desirable features and attributes, such as the ability to reduce vibration and load-bearing capacity. They also need to be resistant to water washout.

Utilising Wire Rope Lubricants

Wire rope lubricants are primarily used in draglines and drag ropes to generate a thick layer that protects them against corrosion. They are classified into two types: penetrating and coating. Penetrating lubricants use a petroleum-based solvent to transport the lubricant to the core before evaporating and lubricating each strand, whereas coating lubricants use a thick layer to cover the exterior of the cable to minimise wear and corrosion. Because most rope failures occur inside the wire’s core, it is critical to employ a plan that includes both lubricants to offer a high level of protection.

Petrolatum-based wire lubricants can offer high corrosion and water resistance while also being transparent, allowing for a simple visual examination. Rubber linings are meant to be abrasion resistant and to postpone belt deterioration. While they regularly function well in cold areas, they are prone to leaking off at warmer temperatures, which can be troublesome in mining activities.

For reliable and functional mining and quarrying equipment, trust only Hawk Machinery.

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