Testimonials
American Crystal Sugar Company significantly reduced gear wear and maintenance costs by switching to LE's 5182 PYROSHIELD.
key takeaways
Challenge
The Maintenance Engineer was worried about the commercial grade gear compound used on ball mills’ large open gears, as it caused messiness, buildup, wear, and misalignment in the 18 ft. bull gear and 12-inch pinion driven by a 120 hp motor.
LE solution
LE Representative Gage Koby recommended switching to LE’s 5182 PYROSHIELD in September 1986, highlighting its lead-free composition, excellent EP characteristics, and ability to reduce maintenance by preventing buildup and mess in open gears.
Results
LE’s 5182 PYROSHIELD effectively reduced pinion gear temperature and frictional heat, extended gear life, decreased consumption, and provided better startup protection, leading to no need for bull gear rebuilds at the pulp mill for the first time.
This is the first year we did not have to rebuild the bull gears on the pulp mill. This is really unbelievable.
- Don Volker
Customer Profile
American Crystal Sugar Company located in Moorhead, Minnesota is a recognized industry leader in the processing of sugar beets. Keith Norgaard is the Maintenance Engineer.
Application
Sugar Company maintains 11 Foster Wheeler ball mills. These mills are used in the processing and grinding of sugar beets, which are used in a variety of applications food processing industry.
Challenge
The previous Maintenance Engineer was concerned about the commercial grade gear compound, which was being applied to the large open gears on the ball mills. The bull gear measures 18 ft.; the pinion is 12 inches and is driven by a 120 hp General Electric motor. The commercial grade open gear lubricant was very messy and had a tendency to build up in the roots of the gears, which caused wear and misalignment.
LE Solution
In September of 1986, LE Representative Gage Koby recommended changing to LE’s 5182 PYROSHIELD. This revolutionary lubricant is ideal for open gears. The lubricant is lead-free and provides excellent EP characteristics. It clings to gears tenaciously, thus eliminating excessive housekeeping to clean up the mess. Plus LE’s 5182 will not build up in the gear teeth roots.
Results
LE’s 5182 PYROSHIELD dropped the pinion gear temperature. A reduction in temperature indicator of is a definite reduction in frictional heat; thus one can life has been safely assume gear extended. In addition, consumption was 5182 reduced by PYROSHIELD and obviously provides better protection on startup. Don Volker stated, “This is the first year we did not have to rebuild the bull gears on the pulp mill. This is really unbelievable.”