Over-lubrication and re-lubrication: how to protect your industrial bearings
Correct lubrication is at the heart of industrial machinery maintenance. Yet one of the most costly and common mistakes is to assume that more grease means greater protection. The reality is quite different: over-lubrication can be just as damaging as a lack of lubricant.
The hidden risks of over-lubrication
When a bearing receives more grease than necessary, the consequences quickly add up:
- Higher temperature: excess lubricant generates additional internal friction, raising the operating temperature.
- Accelerated oxidation: excessive heat degrades the grease, drastically reducing its service life.
- Energy loss: the bearing runs with greater resistance, increasing energy consumption.
- Base oil bleeding: the oil separates from the thickener, which may then solidify and block the lubrication point.
- Premature failure: fresh grease fails to reach critical surfaces, causing accelerated wear and, ultimately, bearing failure.
Sealing mechanisms are also at risk. Excessive pressure from the grease gun can damage the seals, allowing water and contaminants to enter. The result is corrosion and wear that compromise the entire application.
How to set up an efficient lubrication plan
To get the best performance from your industrial equipment:
- Review all lubrication points on the machinery.
- Calculate the right amount of grease and re-lubrication intervals precisely; specialised software is available for this purpose.
- Refer to the bearing manufacturer's instructions.
- Work with specialists: FUCHS LUBRICANTES application engineers work in close collaboration with different industrial sectors to design tailored lubrication plans, optimising performance and reducing maintenance costs.
Points to remember for re-lubrication
Recommendation | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Use the same type of grease already in the application | Prevents compatibility problems |
| If you change grease, check its miscibility | Incorrect mixtures degrade the lubricant |
| Re-lubricate at operating temperature and during rotation | Ensures even distribution |
| Re-lubricate before any long period of down time | Protects against static corrosion |
| Do not over-lubricate | Prevents all the risks listed above |
Note: The re-lubrication interval may need to be adjusted depending on temperature, oscillation, load and environment. Contact your contact at FUCHS LUBRICANTES for a tailored analysis.
Re-lubrication intervals by temperature
Temperature is the critical factor that determines re-lubrication frequency:
- Below 70°C: standard interval as specified by the manufacturer.
- Above 70°C: halve the interval for every 15°C rise in temperature.
- Up to 115°C: applicable to standard bearings.
- Above 115°C: special bearings and high-temperature greases are required.
| 100 °C | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
| 85 °C | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | ||||||||
| 70 °C | • | • | • | • | • | ||||||||||||
| 55 °C | • | • | • | ||||||||||||||
| 40 °C | • | • | |||||||||||||||
| time → | |||||||||||||||||
Professional advice for your industry
Every application is unique. FUCHS LUBRICANTES provides specialised technical analysis to define the optimal lubricant, precise quantities and appropriate intervals for your operation.
Learn more about this topic in our explainer video:
Need a tailored lubrication plan? Get in touch with our expert team and protect your equipment with the right strategy.
