Bob Wood, technical engineer at Total Lubricants, estimates that on average just 1% of an industrial plant’s overall maintenance budget is allocated to lubricants.
Improper lubrication, including using the wrong oil or not using enough oil, can lead to increased friction and greater wear, which can lead to breakdown and downtime, and can ultimately impact bottom lines.
Wood explains: “The lubricants that industrial equipment requires to keep it operating smoothly represent a fraction of the cost of the equipment itself, however, it is important this vital maintenance function is undertaken, with condition monitoring for critical equipment, including oil analysis, vibration analysis and thermography, being carried out regularly.
“Almost a third of industrial equipment failure, and the associated costs from unplanned downtime and reactive maintenance, could be prevented by having an effective and proactive lubrication strategy in place.
“It is better to identify problems before they occur, especially in large, industrial and manufacturing businesses, where the costs associated with downtime and lost productivity can run into the thousands, and potentially millions of pounds.”
