Testimonials
Pyroshield® Syn Open Gear Grease significantly improved gear lubrication efficiency and cleanliness for CW Estes Company.
key takeaways
Challenge
Barry Presnell sought a more efficient gear lubricant to reduce mess, extend durability, and protect gears, as the current product required frequent application and cleanup, using two tubes weekly.
LE solution
Jeff Boyles, a lubrication consultant, recommends Pyroshield (5182), a lead-free synthetic grease with a 90-lb Timken OK load and Almasol® additive, for severe service on open gears and other sliding surfaces in extreme temperatures.
Results
Barry successfully reduced lubricant usage by 75% by switching to Pyroshield, which stays on gears longer and requires less frequent application, resulting in significant maintenance time savings and improved wear protection.
I am really happy with it (Pyroshield). It takes less time to apply, is a cleaner type grease, and causes me less trouble with maintenance, Presnell said.
Customer Profile
CW Estes Company has been in business for more than 20 years at this location. It manufactures decorative stone for use in aquariums and sells it throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Application
The company uses a conical tumbler to disperse the coatings and color over the stone during the manufacturing process. The stone typically is in the tumbler for about an hour each time. The drum of the tumbler is turned by a pinion gear that contacts the bull gear on the drum. The bull gear is about 4 feet in diameter. The smaller pinion gear is about 1 foot in diameter.
Challenge
Barry Presnell, maintenance supervisor, and his crew were manually applying an asphaltic-type open gear lubricant that was messy and did not last very long. They were applying two tubes of lubricant per week with a caulking gun. During use, it would sling off and fall to the floor. It also hardened on the gear, in the gear teeth and on the shroud. All of this caused more time to be needed for periodic cleanup. Presnell was looking for a product that was less messy, would last longer and would protect the gears.
LE Solution
Jeff Boyles, LE lubrication consultant, recommended Pyroshield (5182), an extreme pressure grease for usein the most severe service on open gears, cams, cables, fifth wheels and other sliding surfaces. It is a synthetic lubricant developed for the mining industry and for open gears in indoor or outdoor equipment regardless of temperature extremes. The product is lead-free and contains Almasol®, LE’s proprietary wear-reducing additive. Pyroshield grease has a 90-lb Timken OK load.
Results
Barry tried some Pyroshield on the open gears and was happy with the results. To convert the lubricant, he followed LE’s recommended cleaning process. He used Almasol Vari-Purpose Gear Lubricant (607) – now Duolec® Vari-Purpose Gear Lubricant (1605) – to clean off the former lubricant. He then started applying the Pyroshield with the same rate as before but quickly realized that was too much. He reduced the rate to one tube a week and now is applying only one or two tubes a month.
He discovered that once the gears became coated, not as much replacement lubricant was required because the Pyroshield stayed on better and lasted longer. It did not sling off and pile up on the floor like the previous product, nor did it harden on the gears, in the gear teeth and on the shroud. They Pryoshield greased stayed fluid. Barry has reduced the application rate from eight tubes to one or two tubes a month – a 75 percent reduction. In addition, the Pyroshield grease is providing excellent wear protection.
“I am really happy with it (Pyroshield). It takes less time to apply, is a cleaner type grease, and causes me less trouble with maintenance,” Presnell said.