Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/885126
EquipmentWorld.com | October 2017 25 maintenance | by Preston Ingalls L ubrication is the life blood of mechanical equipment. And just as our body's blood can become anemic or experience an imbalance of blood cells or plate- lets that signal biological issues, the equipment's 'blood' can show signs of wear and contamination. Where hematology is the science of blood, tribology is the science of lubrica- tion, wear and friction control. Oil analysis and lubrication ex- perts at Noria Corporation cite sev- eral "illnesses" that can be detected from oil analysis: • A spike in iron and aluminum levels warn of piston and cylinder wear before a major failure. • Bearing wear rates can be de- termined before the crankshaft becomes badly scored. • Fuel dilution, coolant leaks and water contamination can be de- tected before they become major problems. • Contamination and combustion soot can indicate a restricted air intake system, ineffective oil fi lters, poor combustion or a rich air/fuel ratio. And it's not just engine oils. Noria also emphasizes the importance of analyzing routine oil samples in hydraulic systems, transmissions, gearboxes, differentials and other non-combustion lubricated systems. These may include: • High aluminum levels that indi- cate hydraulic pump or converter failure. • High chromium levels that reveal hydraulic cylinder rod scoring or gear and bearing wear. Parameters of analysis Oil analysis is also critical to de- termine proper oil drain and fi lter change intervals in all types of en- gines and equipment. Many param- eters are vital to proper oil analysis interpretation, including: • Viscosity • Oil type • Hours or miles of service • Make and model of the compo- nent or system from which the sample was taken This information should be printed on a card usually provided in the oil sample carton, with oil samples taken at regular intervals. As with any mechanical system, it should reach its operating tempera- ture before the sample is taken, to ensure the sample has completed full-system circulation. In addition, the sample should always be taken from the same place in the system, such as a pre-fi lter, valve-mounted oil return line. From the air into your engine Mark Barnes, vice president of Des-Case's Equipment Reliability Services team, makes the follow- ing compelling point about particle contamination in engines: "Perhaps the biggest engine killer OIL ANALYSIS The best way to tell if your engine is healthy If dust on the jobsite sneaks by your air fi lter, these tiny particles will wind up in your engine oil and act like an abrasive compound, wearing away critical tolerances inside the engine. An oil sample typically reports silica contamination and may point to a compromise in your fi ltration devices.