Preventive Maintenance: What Machines Need Lubrication

Throughout the industrial world, 88% of organizations already use a preventive maintenance strategy — a central part of which includes proper lubrication to boost machine reliability and longevity. 

This approach is especially critical for high speed operations, sliding surfaces, roller bearings and other machine components exposed to wear, heat and contaminants.

Surprising or not, 82% of companies have experienced at least one unplanned downtime in the past three years, estimated to cost these companies about $50 billion annually. 

Machine owners need realistic, sustainable solutions to their operating challenges — particularly for high temperatures, cold temperatures, and heavy loads. 

Almost 90% of consumers believe companies should do more to reduce their carbon impact. Meeting customer demands also involves exploring innovative plant-based lubricant and grease alternatives that prevent rust and reduce wear while being safe for the environment.

Lubrication and preventive maintenance practices work in tandem to deliver benefits such as longer-lasting parts and decreased downtime. Ultimately, proactive strategies can help you minimize unnecessary maintenance costs. 

You must understand the link between machine lubrication and preventive maintenance to ensure optimal performance and boost profitability across industrial applications.

The Basics of Lubricants and Greases

Machine failures caused by lack of lubrication are highly preventable. Machine tools, machine parts and machine components need frequent lubrication, especially in environments where moving surfaces, high speed, or high heat are involved. 

Proper lubrication helps with friction reduction and absorbing heat, two critical aspects of maintaining efficiency and reducing equipment failures.

Liquid lubricants like mineral oil are critical in reducing friction on machinery components and boosting equipment longevity and performance. 

These lubricants form a thin film between two surfaces, enabling smoother operation. Some also contain additives that prevent rust and resist water intrusion or extreme conditions.

Lubricants serve various purposes:

• Mineral oil lubricants: These liquid lubricants, derived from crude oil, are the most common type used in gearboxes and hydraulic systems. They typically offer excellent performance for a relatively low cost under normal conditions.
• Greases: Grease lubrication uses thick, semi-solid substances that adhere well to surfaces. This is ideal for components exposed to vibration, dirt, and limited reapplication access. Grease is often used in roller bearings and contact points where liquid oil may attract dirt.
• Bio-based lubricants: These provide a more sustainable option and perform reliably under a range of operating conditions. They’re becoming popular in new equipment focused on sustainability.
• Synthetic lubricants: Made from synthetic oils and custom-formulated base oil, these are excellent for high speed operations, high temperatures, or extreme conditions where standard oils fall short. They often provide better performance for machinery lubrication under load.
• Solid lubrication: In some cases, solid lubricants are used for components that operate in environments where liquid or grease alternatives aren’t feasible — such as extreme cold or vacuum.

Any equipment with moving parts — from gears to bearings — requires lubrication to remain functional throughout its useful life. Lubrication is a crucial part of smooth operation, reducing friction and maintaining the condition of metal surfaces.

The Link Between Lubrication and Preventive Maintenance

Lubricants are crucial for preventive maintenance programs. They reduce friction, shield machine components from corrosion, and keep contact points clean. Proper lubrication is the bridge between daily efficiency and long-term cost savings, especially for industrial applications with demanding use cases.

An effective lubrication system will include an automatic lubrication system where possible, ensuring frequent lubrication even in hard-to-reach machine parts. Lubrication work isn’t just about adding oil — it’s about ensuring the correct lubrication reaches every critical area with the right type, amount, and frequency.

Selecting high-quality synthetic oils, monitoring oil and grease performance, and following manufacturer’s recommendations for lubrication intervals can minimize unexpected equipment failures and reduce maintenance costs.

Avoiding corrosion, wear, and rust is central to any preventive maintenance program. A schedule built on real-world data can reduce friction between components and delay the wear and tear that shortens machinery lifespan. 

In short, lubrication is the backbone of most preventive maintenance programs, helping machine tools and machine components function optimally rather than relying solely on reactive repairs.

The Benefits of Preventive Maintenance Lubrication

Repairing machines only after a breakdown puts you and your team behind the eight ball. Preventive maintenance emerged as a smarter alternative — plan, monitor, adjust. Lubrication activities are at the heart of this strategy, involving inspection, grease lubrication at the right time, and data-backed adjustment of practices.

Here’s what effective lubrication and maintenance delivers:

• Improved equipment life: Friction and heat cause premature wear. Lubricants reduce wear and corrosion by forming a protective barrier between moving parts, like gears and bearings.
• Better reliability: Proper lubrication of moving parts under high load prevents overheating and allows for smoother performance under stress. Machine lubrication makes it easier to spot early warning signs before they escalate.
• Reduced noise: Excessive vibration and metal-on-metal contact can be loud and harmful. Grease or oil lubrication reduces vibration and makes machines more tolerable for long shifts.
• Boosted safety: Lubricants reduce the likelihood of sparks or dangerous failures at contact points. In high speed or high heat environments, this safety edge is vital.
• Enhanced temperature control: Lubricants play a key role in absorbing heat and maintaining optimal conditions. This is especially critical for sliding surfaces and high temperature environments.
• Reduced downtime: With the right lubricant selection, your lubrication system reduces the chances of breakdowns and keeps your machine running under normal conditions.
• Lowered maintenance costs: From smooth operation to fewer breakdowns, lubrication helps contain maintenance expenses and extend the life of machine tools and systems.

Lubrication and Preventive Maintenance Best Practices

Lubrication and maintenance go hand in hand when it comes to achieving the best performance and keeping equipment running under both normal and extreme conditions.

Here’s what works:

• Prioritize lubricant selection: Not all oils or greases are created equal. Look for lubricants that match your equipment’s operating conditions, metal surface type, and regulatory needs. From base oil quality to synthetic lubricants for high performance machinery, selection is key.
• Follow manufacturer recommendations and techniques: Always default to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Apply the right amount of lubrication at the proper intervals, especially in automatic lubrication systems.
• Assess lubricant performance: Oil analysis and other diagnostics allow you to evaluate the performance of your lubrication strategy over time. Accurate record-keeping helps identify issues and supports better decision-making.
• Provide adequate training: Your team should understand how and when to apply lubricant and grease, and follow best practices for handling, storage, and contamination prevention.

Keep the environment clean: Oil and grease can attract dirt, causing damage over time. Cleanliness in both storage and application is critical to prevent contaminants from accelerating wear or causing equipment failure.

Explore Sustainable and Effective Preventive Maintenance Lubrication Options With Fuel Ox®

Preventive maintenance and proper lubrication can transform operations across industries. Whether you’re maintaining new equipment or aging assets, the right lubrication work can prevent rust, reduce wear, and enhance machine performance in ways that directly impact your bottom line.

Fuel Ox® offers the world’s best lubricants and fuel additives, hands down. Unlike traditional mineral oil or synthetic oils, Fuel Ox® Infinity Lube™ contains a patent-pending treatment that hardens the metal surface, reducing friction by up to 90%. 

This not only supports friction reduction but allows your machinery to perform under extreme conditions while minimizing wear at contact points and extending service life.

“Profitable Sustainability” is our motto because treating the environment right and keeping machines profitable shouldn’t be opposites. From sliding surfaces to high speed machinery, we help support smooth operation with products built for today’s industrial challenges.