Ditch the Route with Automation

Automate the Lubrication Process with Grease Dispensers

Grease is one of the most fundamental forms of lubrication. For years, maintenance personnel have spent countless hours walking grease lube routes of their widespread plants. With their grease guns in hand, they have gone to each grease nipple and pumped their grease. Usually it’s the right grease, sometimes not. Sometimes, it’s the right amount of grease, but it’s hard to tell. And usually, it’s at the right time to apply the grease, but maybe not.

Nowadays it’s harder than ever to spend that precious time and personnel to travel those lube routes. More and more Maintenance Managers and Reliability personnel have forgone the old lube routes and have turned to automatic grease lubricators to manage and maintain those lube points.

Grease Lubricator Manufacturers have taken note and continue to evolve what was once a quite simple product line. Today, there are several varieties of automatic grease lubricators to choose from. They include the following:

Mechanical Spring Units

The most basic type. Used for fully packed bearing housings. Dispenses by spring force as the working grease is depleted. $

Electro-Chemical Units

Uses a chemical reaction to create a nitrogen gas that expands at a given rate to push a plunger based on a duration of time. Gas expansion is controlled by orifice size in the most economical versions while others rely on a microprocessor to control the pace of expansion. $$

Electro- Mechanical Units

Typically worm gear mechanically driven delivery system controlled by microprocessor. Dispensing rates are determined by the duration the volume of grease is intended to last and is set by the consumer. Being mechanically driven, they can deliver much more precise amounts and higher pressures than the previous two types. Some of the latest options include the use of vibration sensors, UL rating for use in hazardous locations, and incorporating PLC controls. $$$ 

Grease Lubrication Advancements

Regardless of the type of grease lubricator chosen, consumers can choose from a wide variety of grease types that the manufacture provides for these units, other than the mechanical spring types that are filled by the customer.

Manufacturers also have not forgotten the old schoolers who are still pounding the lube route beat. Advancements in automatic grease guns, grease meters, and color-coding systems have helped technicians to apply the right grease, the right amount, and at the right time. Three essentials in achieving reliable grease lubrication.

To learn more about Trico’s line of grease lubrication products, check out our YouTube video.