Grease lubrication: features and application examples

Grease lubrication is one of the most widely used types of industrial lubrication and is often used in different sectors.

Grease lubrication is a high viscosity lubricant suitable for surfaces with high pressures. The base of the grease is almost always, mineral, or synthetic and mixed with other elements.

The scope of grease lubrication ranges from small machines, such as woodworking machines, to heavy industry machines such as steel mills or paper mills.

The most well-known grease lubrication solutions are dual line systems or progressive dividers.

A grease lubrication system is generally composed of a grease lubrication pump, like Bravo pump, which provides a precise output of lubricant to the lubrication points, in combination with progressive dividers or dual line dividers.

Grease progressive lubrication system
In a progressive system, the lubricant is supplied to a single inlet of a “progressive divider”  and is distributed volumetrically through an engineered number of outlets due to the movement of the pistons arranged in a sequence within the divider.

This solution is suitable for small, medium, and large machines with multiple points that require complete control of machine lubrication operations (machine tools, wood working machines, presses, and textiles machines).

Dual line grease lubrication system
Dual Line grease lubrication systems can function under high pressures and incorporates a modular structure that allows for potential expansion of the system, a feature which saves time and reduces maintenance costs.

This solution is suitable for heavy industry with large machines containing multiple lubrication points including, but not limited to, the iron and steel industry, cement plants, offshore platforms, large cranes, and cargo handling equipment.

Thanks to the use of lubrication pumps for machine tools with progressive dividers, a precise amount of grease at high pressures can be provided to each point of the system.

They are used for lubricating the bearing support screws, profile guides, and seals which are located in parts of the machine that operate at a lower speeds, therefore, requiring a dense lubricant.

The versatility of these lubrication solutions for the machine tools industry provide an abundance of options to meet a variety of different customer’s requests.

In general, a grease lubrication system is particularly suitable for the types of machines which operate in harsh environmental conditions, characterized by the presence of dust and debris that can damage the components.

In the case of earth-moving machines, such as mining trucks, excavators, cranes, and wheel loaders, a grease lubrication system is necessary. Grease that has an ideal consistency and viscosity to wrap the components and protect them from debris, reducing the wear and guaranteeing maximum efficiency for operation in harsh environmental conditions.

We’ve seen how a grease system can be used for lubricating different types of machines, depending on the number of lubrication points and sector.

The installation of this system offers multiple advantages:

- Provide the correct amount of lubricant to the moving parts of the machine at the most appropriate time.

- Ensure proper lubrication of the bearings, rotation points, and components of the machines

- Extend the life cycle, ensuring efficient operation

- Minimize the risk of unexpected downtime, costs, and maintenance times.