Methods of application of lubricating greases to gearing will vary with the specific mechanism. As a rule, such products are not used on fast moving gears or on those where considerable cooling is necessary. Lubricating greases do have a place when gears are used infrequently and receive scant attention, as in home washing machines, kitchen mixers, etc. Here the lubricant may be applied during assembly.
Thinking on the application of lubricating greases to gears may change if the results reported by Gesdorf^21 can be repeated. As, a trial, all points on a steel mill table were lubricated by spraying a lithium base grease once an hour. The points covered were 38 table roll and line shaft bearings and 27 on open gearing. Previous to the test, 40 pounds of gear lubricant and 2 gallons of bearing oil were used on each 8 hour shift. After installation of the new spray system, 1.6 pounds of lubricating grease were used per eight hour operating turn. Further, it was found that bearing life was increased 40 per cent and it was estimated that gear life was increased 75 per cent.
Rather than make general recommendations, suggestions for applying lubricating greases will be given when lubrication of specific equipment is discussed.
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