Potato chip Production and gear lubrication

The production of  potato  chips illustrates  food  handling  where  the gears  concerned are so  located that  little  contamination from the  lubricant  is possible. Numerous conveyors will be found for the potatoes, the slices, or the packages. Most of the gear reducers  for  conveyors will  be  subjected  to  only  moderate   temperatures  and not too  much  stress. Hence, either  straight  mineral  oil  or  MP  lubricant  of SAE  80  grade  can be used  for  the gears.

 If  a batch  peeler is used,  this may consist of  a  vertical  cylinder with  a rotating  abrasive  disc in the  bottom  which  will  be  driven  by  gears. Also, in washing potato slices, a gear driven drum will probably be used. The gear oil mentioned above will also serve these latter applications.  

Application of Lubricating Greases to Gearing

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.