What Can You Do to Maintain Your Lubrication System?
The lubrication system of your heavy machinery is an essential component of its performance. It keeps the gears, bearings, and other parts that make up the machine running smoothly and efficiently. A poorly maintained or faulty lubrication system can lead to severe damage or even complete equipment failure. About
34.4% of engine bearings fail because of a lack of lubrication, so keeping your lubrication system in good working order is important.
This article will lay out everything there is to know about lubrication systems and how to maintain them.
What is a Lubrication System?
A lubrication system is a critical part of your engine, which keeps it well-lubricated. A well-maintained oil filter and oil level are essential to keeping your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently. A worn-out or faulty engine can result in costly repairs or replacement parts, so keeping an eye on these components at all times is necessary.
An excellent way to ensure that your vehicle's lubrication system doesn't cause issues is by checking the oil levels regularly (at least once every month), replacing worn-out filters when necessary, using high-quality products for regular maintenance checks, and getting them serviced by professionals when needed.
How Does an Engine Lubrication System Work?
The engine lubrication system is another complex part of your vehicle’s engine. It consists of components that work together to keep the engine running smoothly, such as oil pumps and filters. This system transfers oil throughout the entire engine to lubricate all parts simultaneously.
It also helps with heat transfer by reducing friction between moving parts within an engine, which lowers its temperature by making it easier for heat to escape through convection (the process by which hot air rises).
What Can You Do to Maintain Your Lubrication System?
Here are some things to keep in mind in maintaining your lubrication system:
Maintain Your Lubricants Regularly
When it comes to maintaining your lubrication system, there are a lot of things you can do. The first thing you should do is check the oil level regularly. Check the dipstick when you fuel up or for an oil change, whichever comes first. Also, check it before long trips and after driving in extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain or snow storms.
For instance, if you have been using synthetic motor oil in your
Caterpillar tractor, be sure to change it every 5,000 miles or so, if not sooner, if it looks dirty on the dipstick. If changing out this type of lube regularly seems too much like a hassle, consider switching back to regular petroleum-based lubricants because they last longer between changes than their synthetic counterparts.
Do Not Use Cotton or Fiber Rags
Don't use cotton or fiber rags to clean your equipment. Cotton and fiber rags can clog the filter, causing the machine to stop working correctly. Instead, use paper towels or other disposable cleaning materials that are safe for your machine's parts and won't cause any damage if they get stuck inside its moving parts.
Inspect the Suction Filter and Screens
The suction filter is a critical part of your lubrication system. It keeps contaminants out of your engine, which helps it run smoothly and efficiently. You should inspect the suction filter at least once monthly to ensure it's not clogged with dirt or debris that could damage your engine if left unchecked.
If you notice any wear on your suction filter, it's time to replace it. If there are tears in the filter material, particles can squeeze through holes in the screen and get into your engine. If there are cracks in its housing (which can happen over time), then dirt may get past even if there aren't any holes in its screen surface, which could also cause severe damage.
Remove and Clean the Strainer Regularly
The strainer is a device that is designed to catch large particles, such as dirt and debris. It's located at the bottom of your engine and can be accessed easily by removing the drain plug (if you have one).
If you have an oil pan with a removable filter, remove it from its housing by unscrewing or pulling it outwards. This will allow you access to clean out any buildup inside of it. Then wash off all residue with hot water before replacing it and securely tighten it with an adjustable or socket wrench set.
Change Line Filter (Pressure Filter) Annually
When it comes to maintaining your lubrication system, changing the line filter (also known as a pressure filter) annually is one of the most important things you can do.
This is because it helps prevent damage to other components in your hydraulic system, such as pumps and motors. If left unchecked, contaminants can build up over time and cause blockages within these parts which may lead to them needing replacing sooner than expected.
How to Tackle Lubrication Problems in Heavy Duty Machines
Maintaining your lubrication system is the best way to avoid lubrication problems in heavy duty machines.
You can do this in several ways, including regularly checking the oil level and adding more when necessary, cleaning any filters that may be present in the system (such as air filters), and replacing components that have worn out or been damaged by corrosion or other factors.
FAQs
Why is it important to check the lubrication system regularly?
Your lubrication system is critical for the performance of your engine. It must be checked regularly, especially before and after every long trip, and again at the end of a season, to ensure it's in good working order. This will help ensure your engine runs smoothly and efficiently, saving you money on fuel costs and preventing damage to other parts of the machine.
If a component is damaged or worn out, this could lead to premature failure of other parts, such as bearings or seals, which would mean more time spent repairing or
replacing them instead of using your machine.
What are the five functions of the lubrication system
The lubrication system is essential for your engine to run smoothly. It keeps the engine clean, prevents overheating, reduces friction, and wears on moving parts. The lubrication system also reduces an engine's heat, noise, and vibration by distributing oil throughout its internal components.
The five functions of a lubrication system are:
- To remove contaminants from the oil.
- To keep an engine cool by circulating cooling fluids around it.
- To reduce friction between moving parts.
- To prevent corrosion caused by moisture or water in fluid levels that are too high (which can happen due to leaks).
- To maintain the oil level in the engine, which is essential for lubrication and cooling purposes.
- What are the four types of lubrication systems?
There are four types of lubrication systems:
- Oil. This type of system uses an oil reservoir, pump, and filter to deliver a thin lubricant film to the machine's moving parts. It can be used in stationary applications as well as mobile equipment.
- Splash-fed. A splash-fed lubrication system uses an oil reservoir connected by tubing to two nozzles mounted on opposite sides of a rotating shaft or drum inside your equipment. As one nozzle sprays oil onto one side of this shaft/drum, gravity pulls it into contact with other moving parts.
- Recirculating. A recirculating lubrication system uses a pump to circulate oil through your equipment, with the pump's output hose connected to an injector that squirts it onto your machine's moving parts. It can be used in both stationary and mobile applications.
- Grease. In a grease lubrication system, your equipment has a reservoir of liquid grease and an injection pump to distribute it onto the machine's parts. The pump is usually attached to a mechanism that lets you move the lubricant where you want it on your equipment.
Get The Most Out Of Your Lubrication Systems at Heavy Duty Pros
You should know that lubrication systems are essential to your engine. The purpose of a lubrication system is to keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently by supplying it with the right amount of oil at all times.
We hope this article has helped you understand how your lubrication system works and some of the things you can do to maintain it. If you want more information, please contact us today at
Heavy Duty Pros. Our resources include everything you need to know about lubrication systems, how they work and various other products that can help you get the most out of your vehicle.