Efficient Plant Nov./Dec. 2021 - 18

feature | lubrication solutions
PDSs Reveal
Meaningful Lube Specs
Mark Barnes, PhD, CMRP
Des-Case Corp.
Product data sheets provide the test results that help
you specify the correct lubricant for your assets.
CHOOSING THE CORRECT oil or grease for a given application
is the most fundamental decision any lubrication process owner
needs to make. Lubricant selection oſt en starts with the OEM
recommendation. However, depending on the age of the machine
and level of detail provided, many OEM lubricant-selection guides
off er little more than generic information ( " use a good quality AW68
mineral hydraulic fl uid " or " use a high-quality EP 220 synthetic gear
oil such as ACME Gear SYN 220 " ).
18 | EFFICIENTPLANTMAG.COM
When more detailed recommendations are provided by the
equipment manufacturer, changes in lubricant formulations, coupled
with changes from one lubricant vendor to another over the years,
can lead to " specifi cation creep. " Th is occurs when the lubricant no
longer meets the requirements set forth when the equipment was
fi rst installed.
To select the correct lubricant, it's always preferable to use the
OEM recommendation as a starting point, i.e., a guide to the minNOV/DEC
2021

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Efficient Plant Nov./Dec. 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Efficient Plant Nov./Dec. 2021