Less than half of lubes procedure manuals are written by lubes professionals.
According to recent research by MachineryLubrication.com, less than 50% of lubrication procedures for equipment at plants have been written by lubricant experts. This means, according to the publication, many Procedure Manuals (PMs) "fall short of fully describing the work that needs to be done or outlining the step-by-step instructions to be followed."
In recommending best practice, Wes Cash of Noria Corporation writing for MachineryLubrication.com, claims a good starting point for new procedures for engine maintenance are the OEM recommendations.
Technicians need to understand oil changes and regreasing intervals, lube points, recommended lubes including brands and types, storage practices and seal compatibility information. Maintenance manuals must provide the necessary information for different operating and ambient conditions which affect the frequency of lubricating a machine.
Contamination control accessories are important. Cash gives an example. "If you have a pump operating in a high-humidity environment with a history of water problems in the oil, it would be a good idea to install a desiccant breather to dry the air entering the system." This in itself triggers other vital procedures and instructions to be followed which must accommodate any plant targets and goals, such as cleanliness.
According to Cash, all lubrication tasks, including oil changes, oil sampling and regreasing should be fully documented showing when and how they were carried out. This should be backed up by training to ensure procedures are followed and that technicians have the necessary equipment.