I would like to know if there is a golden rule to follow on when to apply Oil or grease on mechanical parts such as bearings. Or which will be the better alternative. I would appreciate any feedback on this. Do you know of some articles on this on the web


Rolly Angeles

What is the golden rule, Rolly? May we know what is your problem to decide to use oil or grease? I thought oil is not interchangable with grease.

Anyway, here is a Noria article on how to select lubrication systems to suit machinery requirements:

http://www.noria.com/learning_center/category_article.a...ookgroup=Lubrication

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Josh,

Are you cenverting your bearings from grease lubricated to oil lubricated?

http://www.noria.com/learning_center/category_article.a...ookgroup=Lubrication

Hello Josh,

Some people use grease to apply while others use oil in bearings. From what I know is if most of the mechanical components are on the exterior part of the machine then grease is applied to avoid dripping while for inside of the equipment oil is applied. Should you want to provide a better lubrication for your bearing what would be the criteria and selection.

Step by steap grease selection:
http://www.noria.com/learning_center/category_article.a...okgroup=Lubrication2

Selecting a general purpose grease:http://www.noria.com/learning_center/category_article.a...okgroup=Lubrication2

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Josh,

Ok, I think the lubricant selected should suit the machine lubrication needs. Can please give examples of machine where we need both oil and grease at same time for interior and exterior parts respectively?

Anyway, can read lubricant selection articles in this link:

http://www.noria.com/learning_center/default.asp?sectio...k=LubricantSelection

Here is a direct answer to your post:

http://www.fulton-armory.com/OilandGrease.htm

I would say as a rough guide:
1 - Industrial machinery:
1A - Sleeve bearings - use oil
1B - Rolling Bearings:
1A1 - Rolling bearings with D*N > ~ 250,000 inch * RPM => use oil (grease would likely overheat)
1A2 - Rolling bearings with D*N < 250,000 inch * RPM => prefer grease since it is generally a simpler solution to install and maintain, no big leak issues or level-maintaining issues (but does need periodic greasing).
D*N = bearing bore diameter times speed. There may be slightly varying definitions using mean bearing diameter and slightly different limits as to where grease becomes ineffective. Higher-precision bearings with special cages can extend the viable range of grease lubricatation.

These choices are usually made by the OEM

Anyone use oil mist lubrication?

In my earlier company, we used oil mist lubrication with great success. I think Oil Mist lubrication is best compared to grease or oil bath.

What are those numbers (1, 1A, 1B ect), Pete?

Ok, for for air handler motors what would be the right frequency for greasing...note: air handler runs 24/7.