- Agriculture
- Lubricants

The introduction of lubricants into production and the manner in which they are applied seemingly simple – for this reason, it is often underestimated. However, negligence, especially in the earliest stages of this process, can have dire consequences.
The first step in introducing grease into production is… to open the grease container properly. This applies especially to medium and large containers, where the lid must be lifted. It is important to bear in mind that the lubricant container may become soiled during transport or storage, and that various contaminants may accumulate on the lid.
It is absolutely essential that the lid is carefully wiped before opening, so that no particles are introduced into the lubricant when tilting it. This seems trivial but is often overlooked. Meanwhile, it is easy to imagine the damage that can be done by, for example, metal filings or wooden particles carelessly introduced into the lubricant then applied to precision gears or bearings.
So remember to prepare the lubricant container properly before opening it. It is a simple action that can prevent serious consequences.
People involved in the introduction of lubricants into production are often confronted with the situation when, after opening a lubricant container, they see a layer of oil deposited on the lubricant. Our experience shows that this phenomenon can raise doubts about the quality and fitness for use of the lubricant. It turns out that there is absolutely no reason for concern. It is a natural phenomenon of oil separation.
At its core, a grease consists of a base oil, a thickener whose role is to hold the oil in place, and various additives that affect the final performance of the grease in question.
The highest percentage oil separation occurs within the first 24 hours after filling a dedicated package. Information on the percentage oil separation can be found in the Lubricant Data Sheet.
What should you do, then, if you find a film of oil on the grease you want to use? Absolutely do not pour it off! The precipitated oil should be pumped back into the lubricant to maintain the percentage of base oil and thickener and thus the original properties of the lubricant.
Often, the first thought in this situation is to use a mechanical stirrer. However, this method is not recommended because it alters and destroys the structure of the joints in the lubricant and causes air bubbles to be introduced into the lubricant.
Therefore, if oil separation is observed, it is advisable to use a semi-hard hand spatula and slowly inject the oil in circular motions until all the oil is reintroduced into the grease. In the case of soft grease (NLGI class 0 or 1), a concave depression (“bowl-shaped”) should be formed on the surface of the grease. Conversely, in a stiff grease (NLGI class 2 or 3), form a convex mound on the surface.
Dosing systems vary according to the parameters:
As the topic is very broad, we will focus on dispensing grease from a large barrel using a pressure disc.
There are a few golden rules to follow when installing a metering system:
By sticking to the above rules, you can be assured of consistent and more efficient lubricant dispensing.