Lubrication Requirements of Construction Equipment

Equipment performance is improved and breakdowns reduced by proper lubrication. The lubrication requirements for construction equipment are exacting. These machines have to work under highly adverse job and management conditions operating in dirt, mud, water, extremes of weather conditions, and for long hours during the day. The design of modem construction equipment with their increased speeds and load capacity, and closet tolerances and clearances further makes proper lubrication a vital need  their successful and efficient operation. 

A sound lubrication program includes selection of suitable quality of lubricants. their proper storage, and their careful and scheduled application. It is advisable to formulate and establish a simple plan of lubrication so that chances of confusion and misapplication are minimized. 

A minimum number of types and makes of lubricants should be selected. The use of a small number of products presents lesser problems of storage and also desalinizes  wrong application. The products of one or two makes only should be selected considering the recommendations of the manufacturers. The lubrication requirements of linearly all construction machinery can be met, satisfactorily, by six basic types of lubricant. They are : engine oils, gear oils of the extreme pressure type and those of the adhesive type. hydraulic oils, heavy duty greases and track roll greases. However, water pumps, falloff wheels, electric motors and generators, pneumatic tools and steel wire ropes need special lubricants. A brief description of six basic types of lubricant is given below. 

1. Engine crank case oils provide anti-wear properties, rust protection, corrosion resistance, oxidation stability, foam prevention and detergent dispersal characteristics. Straight mineral oils should be used to replace series oils which provide for higher detergent. 
2. Gear oils of the extreme pressure type may be used where there is sliding contact between the gear faces (as in the case of worn1 or hypoid gears). Thesr oils absorb shock loads and prevent scoring under heavy load. They prevent thickening, foaming, corrosion and oxidation. Gear oils of the atlhesive type cling to the tooth surfaces even at high pressures, temperatures and peripheral speeds. These oils with special additives that provide good resistance to water washing and also provide penetrability can be used with adv'mtag:: as wlre rope lubricants. Each strand of the rope is sealed in a tough, viscous fill11 to reduce internal friction and wear, and to keep out moisture, prevent corrosion and extend rope life. 
3. Hydraulic oils act as medium for transmitting power, and also provide for lubrication and cooling of the system components. They are light inineral oils fortified to prevent wear, rusting, oxidation, sludging and foaming. 
4. Heavy duty greases are used for bearings and gears. They should withstand heavy wheel bearing loads while resisting water contamination and shear breakdown. Lithium baseil greases with high dropping points are used as multipurpose greases for heavy loads. 
5. Track roll greases are used specially for roller bearings. Soft greases with good mechanical stability and anti-oxidant characteristics are generally used. For plain bearings, greases with semi-fluid consistency are used.