motor grease can of worms

[9675]

I didn't search this site, but I want to see how many different answers this brings up, this is based on large motors 100+ HP, greasing frequiences? How much grease? Grease with motor running or motor off? I know this seems like it should be a simple process, but it seems the answers are always different, so share what you do and how long you have had sucess with it.

[9675]

I will start, I lube motor, running or not dont care, annually with aprox 7-10 pumps, no failures due to lack of lube in 10 years, KNOCK ON WOOD, what say you?

[GT Jets]

This is a great debate...

For me, it depends on several factors...

Where the motor is located (indoors, outdoors, damp environment etc...) and how many hours of operation the motor sees.


I normally pull the purge plugs and run enough grease through the Zerk to see fresh grease annually...This ensures there is no moisture in the lube cavity and that the bearing has grease in it...

I really don't like greasing a running bearing because the chances of getting debris in the bearing is greater....Sometimes it can't be helped.

I lube most motors based on run hours. On 24 hour equipment, every three months should be adequate, more if a dirty/wet environment...

If only 8-10 hours a day, every 6 months is preferred, again, more if dirty/wet environment...

Personally speaking, the type of lubricant is more important than anything else....

GT

[dandyme]

1- run time

2-environment

are the major factors for determining lube interval and lube amount


if you can't shut it off, manufacturer may have amount info

I prefer to pull the lower plug and pump enough in zerk fitting to get fresh

out of lower plug


here's the question..............if you pump grease in and get it out the seal....

are you blowing the seal???

[GT Jets]

are you blowing the seal???

No, that's just ice cream....:eek2::D

GT

[flange]

Our procedure involves pulling the lower plug as well. since large horsepower motors usually mean multiple belts, and tight working quarters, lockout tagout is typical, which means off. start her up when finished, allow to run for a few minutes, and recheck. How much time does this really take? we have buildings using radiant beam and just one large makeup unit for air treatment, and even those can be shutdown for a short period to lube fan motors. I have seen very few systems that cant be shutdown for some maintenance, even in hospital/pharma/powerhouse apps. owners need to be educated sometimes, but no maintenance equals critical failurewhen least expected. sell it that way.

[9675]

GT I agree the type of grease is most important, but there seems to be a lot less gray area with grease choice thats why I didn't include,
Flange yes for air handlers I see shut down for saftey, I do chillers so there are no exposed rotating parts therefore greasing on the fly is easy from saftey side, But so far I like the answers so dont be shy people speak up

[just_opinion]

To add what GT said.

After new grease is seen, run the motor with plug off for few minutes then plug it up.

If possible, I rearely tighten the bottom plug up too tight. Just incase the grease expand.

[allchlrstech]

I get ask this question from other techs all the time ,mostly reguarding Yorks.If you look in some of yorks older docs it says puul the plug and grease until oild grease is flushed out,then you always hear about overgreasing is as bad as not greasing due to heat ,oil hydralics pushing the seal out ect.Myself I will at the annual or new contract pull the plug
and clean the grease out and start the machine and give it about 10 pumps wait and give
it about 10 more waiting and checking the bearing housing temp with a infared thermometer wait and then give 5 more.Then greaseing depends on contract visits frequency and run time since last visit.If quarterly at 1000 hrs 10 pumps.