SKF and Lincoln provide information in the Lubrication Technology Newsletter Q1/26 about new products, product updates, product changes and other updates such as availability, spare parts and catalogs.
Our colleagues did a great job again this week: Four trailers were successfully equipped with a central lubrication system, and the next 50 are in the planning stages.
In centralized lubrication systems, distributors or central lubrication distributors are devices that meter the lubricant delivered by a pump to the lubrication points during the lubrication cycle or within a predetermined time period. The intended quantity of lubricant supplied per lubrication cycle should not be affected by the type of lubricant (oil, semi-fluid grease, or grease), the system pressures, the operating temperature, or the type of system.
Air in central lubrication systems – venting the system
Air in central lubrication systems is one of the most common causes of malfunctions and leads from malfunctions to total failure of the central lubrication system.
Air in central lubrication systems is one of the most common causes of malfunctions and leads from malfunctions to total failure of the central lubrication system.
In his 1725 book "Theatrum machinarum generale," Jacob Leupold writes, when explaining a sliding bearing, "To remedy the friction, the rough parts should be well lubricated with tree oil or grease." But it was known much earlier that oil or grease or other substances suitable for lubrication, e.g., wood tar and even water, could reduce friction and thus the wear of surfaces moving relative to each other.
The MCU pump unit is a compact, cost-effective, next-generation gear pump designed for precision oil-inlet lubrication systems. Its seamless plug-and-play design includes an integrated level switch and pressure monitoring, ensuring easy installation and reliable operation.
Optimal lubrication is crucial for the reliable operation of energy systems. Therefore, intelligent lubrication management solutions are needed to achieve performance optimizations in applications operating under harsh conditions, such as wind turbines and tidal turbines.
The central lubrication system is designed to supply individual lubrication points and groups of points with varying lubricant requirements from a central location with the necessary, precisely metered quantities of lubricant. Oils and greases of NLGI classes 000 to 3 are used as lubricants. Careful installation, commissioning, and maintenance of the central lubrication system contribute to increased operational readiness and the service life of the machines.
Modern lubrication reduces costs, conserves resources, and protects the environment. Yet it is often considered a tedious routine. Alain Noordover, Head of Lubrication Management Development at SKF, shares the insights gained from his many years of experience.
What began as a challenge became a real success – thanks to close collaboration, technical expertise, and the shared goal of increasing reliability and efficiency. Today, the plant operates with a new, progressive central lubrication system that automatically, precisely, and reliably supplies all lubrication points.
SKF and Lincoln provide information in the Lubrication Technology Newsletter Q3/25 about product innovations, product updates, product changes and other updates such as availability, spare parts and catalogs.
Durable, powerful, reliable: The MeyGen project in Scotland sets a world record with a tidal turbine running maintenance-free for over six years. SKF components play a key role in this project – and are also available for your industrial applications.
Fertilization is a central component of agricultural crop production. Continuous and professional lubrication is essential for these machines to operate reliably over the long term. Over 60 lubrication points ensure optimal protection of moving components.
Combine harvesters are highly complex machines that not only cut but also thresh crops. Automatic lubrication systems ensure a consistent supply of oil to critical components, reducing wear and facilitating maintenance.
Specialized harvesting machines such as grape harvesters, sugar cane or cotton harvesters, as well as potato, beet, or olive harvesters, are among the most technically complex in agricultural machinery. Despite different designs, the lubrication requirements of many components are similar.
Even after the harvest, the work in the fields is often not over. Straw and other feed must be processed safely and efficiently for winter feeding. Balers perform this task and are subjected to considerable stress.
Tractor attachments and trailers make farming operations truly flexible: Whether cultivators, mowers, balers, or transport trailers – they perform a wide variety of tasks in rotation. This creates over 60 potential lubrication points that require regular lubrication to ensure smooth operation over the long term.
The tractor is one of the most heavily used machines on a farm. It performs a wide variety of tasks in arable farming, grassland management, and transport – often in continuous operation under varying loads.
Wheel loaders are key machines on many construction sites and in bulk material handling. They lift, transport, and relocate heavy loads – day after day. This places high forces on hydraulic cylinders, joints, and bearings.
Bulldozers perform heavy-duty work on construction sites, in earthworks, road construction, and infrastructure projects. They must reliably level, distribute, and compact material – and do so over long periods of operation. To avoid breakdowns, consistent lubrication of all relevant components is essential.
Dump trucks transport heavy bulk materials on unpaved surfaces – often in harsh weather conditions. They are constantly exposed to dust, moisture, and vibrations. Bearings, bolts, and joints are particularly vulnerable.
Mobile cranes must lift loads safely and move them precisely under demanding conditions. To ensure these performances are consistently maintained, reliable lubrication of the numerous moving components is essential.
Mini excavators perform precise work in confined spaces – in civil engineering, excavations, gardening and landscaping, or on small construction sites. Despite their compact design, they are subject to high mechanical stress. Regular lubrication of all moving components is crucial to ensure smooth and long-lasting operation.
Excavators perform demanding tasks every day, such as loosening, lifting, crushing, and loading soil, rock, or construction debris. Proper lubrication is essential to ensure they can withstand these stresses over the long term.