In this final part of the Lubrication Consolidation series we conclude with a further discussion of plant-based lubrication recommendations.
Many new products in the growing aftermarket lubricant industry offer comparable or superior quality to OEM-recommended lubricants. These products often undergo rigorous testing and certification processes to ensure they meet or even exceed relevant industry standards. Additionally, some aftermarket lubricants are specifically formulated to address issues commonly found in certain types of machinery and offer tailored solutions that OEM products may not provide.
What are the motives for selecting a lubricant for a machine? For service technicians, the primary concern may be to find a readily available “approved lubricant”. Although maintenance managers and plant engineers may share this requirement, they are likely more focused on how lubricant choices enhance equipment reliability. In addition operation supervisors, inventory clerks and plant managers, may each have unique considerations and their own perspective on how it impacts costs.
There is, however, more to this decision-making process. Quite often there are special considerations for environmental impact, necessitating environmentally acceptable lubricants or industry-specific needs, like food-grade lubricants in food and beverage facilities. Moreover, the common belief that using alternate lubricants automatically voids warranties is a myth, provided these lubricants meet the required specifications.
The complexities of maintenance culture, and the impact of lubricant selection on plantwide reliability, make lubricant selection much more than just a technical decision. This is a shift in how we see lubricants as vital assets that significantly impact the efficiency and longevity of machinery. Operators and maintenance managers can make more informed decisions based on the lessons learned here. Their decisions may have the potential not only to improve equipment performance and lifespan, but also to minimize operational costs.
Finally, lubricants must be viewed as something with economic value and the expectation that it will provide benefits. Many organizations that have focused on this as a proactive measure have documented savings in their maintenance budget and increased uptime of machines.
At Q8Oils we specialize in lubrication recommendations and offer a wealth of expertise when tailoring lubricants to specific operational needs – an aspect sometimes overlooked in OEM recommendations. Should you require assistance with your lubrication standardisation program simply email us at info@bcl.co.za. We have the people, products and proficiency to consolidate your lubricant requirements.
Reference:
Bennet Fitch: Warning! The OEM-Recommended Lubricants Might Not the Best Choice, Machinery Lubrication Magazine: November 2023.