Conveyor chains in many food processing facilities are kept running around the clock. Even if your facility doesn’t run its conveyor chains 24/7, they will still need to be lubricated regularly.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to maintain your conveyor systems, including how to select a lubricant and lubrication method.
Selecting the Right Lubricant
The first step in maintaining a conveyor chain lubrication system is ensuring that you are using the right lubricant.
When choosing a lubricant, you must know the operating temperature of your application. The temperature will determine the optimum lubrication viscosity. No matter the type, all conveyor chain lubricants should have a viscosity rating between 150 and 450 centistoke (cST); anything lower will provide insufficient lubrication.
Next, mineral oils are a good choice for most conveyor lubrication applications. Grease may be required for heavy-duty applications, especially those with an ambient temperature of over 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). Special high-temperature oils are available for applications where the temperature reaches 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) or more.
Select a Lubrication Method
The next step in properly maintaining your conveyor chain lubrication system is using the right type of lubrication method. There are four main types of lubrication methods: bath, drip, forced-feed, and manual.
- Bath: This method of lubrication immerses the bottom part of the loop in lubricants. As the chain spins, all of the links pass through the bath.
- Drip: Lubricants are dripped onto the chain by a drip oiler. The drops have to land on the edges of the chain to ensure effective lubrication.
- Forced-Feed: Force feeding lubrication is often used in conjunction with an oil bath. In this method, a tube sprays lubricant onto the chain in a constant stream.
- Manual: Lubrication is applied with a brush, spray can, or oil can. It’s a very time-consuming method, which is why it is rarely used in food processing facilities.
When choosing a lubrication method, evaluate the speed of the chain and the temperature of the application. Many slow-moving chains that operate at room temperature can be lubricated with manually applied mineral oils. Drip lubrication is often utilized for medium-speed applications. High-speed applications often require the use of drip or forced-feeding lubrication systems.
Still Have Questions? Contact DropsA Today
Founded in 1946, DropsA specializes in creating automatic lubrication systems for various applications, including conveyors. The benefits of implementing an automatic system is that you won’t have to shut your machines down for maintenance. Our systems are also precise and allow you to control how much lubricant is used.
Please contact us today if you would like to learn more about our solutions, or if you have general questions about lubrication systems.