Testimonials
Quinplex 4024 lubricant significantly reduced knife failures and costs at Nebraska Beef.
key takeaways
Challenge
Nebraska Beef faced daily knife failures due to high heat and constant contact with raw meat, water, and cleaning solutions, prompting a search for a more durable lubricant.
LE solution
Quinplex° Food Machinery Lubricant (4024) is a USDA authorized, H1 rated lubricant for the food and beverage industry, offering water resistance, high temperature tolerance, rust and corrosion inhibition, and enhanced performance with Quinplex® additive.
Results
Switching to Quinplex 4024 has reduced air operated knife bearing failures from daily to weekly, saving Nebraska Beef $400 per week in parts costs.
Quinplex 4024 has saved Nebraska Beef $400 per week in air knife parts alone.
- Jim Smith, Plant Engineer
Customer Profile
Nebraska Beef is a complete beef processing plant. They slaughter, process and package various beef products.
Application
Throughout the Nebraska Beef operation, Kentmaster air powered knives are used in all phases of the meat packing process.
Challenge
While using a commercial grade lubricant in the air powered knives, Nebraska Beef was experiencing one knife failure per day. The knives run at a high rpm, which generates high heat, 180°F (82°C). The knives are constantly in contact with raw meat. The maintenance personnel at Nebraska Beef were interested in a lubricant that could withstand the heat, plus stay in place when constantly coming in contact with water and cleaning solutions.
LE Solution
LE’s Quinplex° Food Machinery Lubricant (4024) was recommended for this application. It is specifically USDA authorized and rated H1 for the food and beverage industry. It is white, water resistant, resists high temperatures, clings to metal, is rust and corrosion inhibited and mechanically stable. Quinplex 4024 contains Quinplex®, LE’s exclusive additive that enhances lubricant performance.
Results
Quinplex 4024 is applied through a grease fitting located on the head of the knife. Since switching to Quinplex 4024, air operated knife bearing failure has been reduced from one failure per day to one failure per week. The cost of a new bearing is $100. Jim Smith, plant engineer, estimates that Quinplex 4024 has saved Nebraska Beef $400 per week in air knife parts alone.