LAWSON ENGINEERS LTD Ref : PJ1682
Issue Date : 06.06.2006
7.3 AUTOMATIC GREASING SYSTEM
Should the greasing system become blocked – in which case the grease gun will lock and
it will not be possible to pump any more grease – then it is a fairly simple matter to
identify where the problem lies.
The system works by sequentially sending lubricant to each grease point on the
equipment. In order to identify which lubricant point is at fault crack the fittings, in turn,
until it is possible to continue pumping grease. The last fitting cracked identifies the
problem lubricant point.
Having found the problem area, undo the grease pipe at the remote end (i.e. at the bearing
or slider) and again try to pump grease. If you cannot pump grease the problem lies in the
pipe. If you can then the problem lies in the bearing/slider.
In the case of the pipe, inspect its length for obvious kinks. If none are apparent it is
probably due to a hardened slug of grease or foreign body in the pipe. It might be
possible to clean the pipe, but in the case of long pipes – and particularly if the pipe is
kinked it is probably better/easier to replace the pipe.
If the problem lies in the bearing/slider then further investigation will be necessary. If grit
or dirt has entered the bearing it should be cleaned and thoroughly inspected as a
minimum requirement. If there are signs of wear or damage it should be replaced.
If grit or dirt has entered the system through contaminated grease then the whole system
should be flushed through with clean grease and all the bearings on the system should be
cleaned and inspected and, if necessary, replaced.
If cracking each of the fittings at the manifold does not indicate a particular lubrication
point – ie the system remains locked – then the problem must lie in the actual distributors
themselves. In order to identify the faulty one it will be necessary to remove the slices
from the manifold assembly – in turn. In this case it will probably be necessary to replace
the faulty manifold with a new one.
If a new manifold or pipe is not held in stock the affected bearing should be lubricated by
fitting a standard grease nipple as a temporary measure.
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