Lubrication and Maintenance
All the grease nipples must be easily accessible, lubrication lines must be provided if necessary. Rothe Erde recommends the installation of an automatic central lubricating system. The bearing system and the gearing must be greased immediately after installation. The lubricants specified in Table 3 are to be used for this and each subsequent lubrication. The only lubrication to be used on the raceway is KP2K grease, i.e. lithium saponified mineral oils of NLGI Grade 2 with EP additives. The raceway lubricants listed in the table can be mixed together. The lubricants are listed in alphabetical order. The grease fill prevents friction, provides protection against corrosion and is a component of the seal.
Therefore the bearing must always be greased liberally so that a collar of fresh grease forms around the whole circumference of the bearing gap and lip seals. The bearing should be rotated during relubrication.
Lubricants
Queries about lubricants should be directed to the respective manufacturer.
The greases listed in the table are approved for our slewing bearings and tested for compatibility with the materials which we use for our spacers and seals. The list of greases is not exhaustive.
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Aralub HLP 2 |
243 K to 393 K (-30°C to +120°C) |
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Aralub MKA-Z 1 |
263 K to 453 K (-10°C to +180°C) |
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Spheerol EPL 2 |
253 K to 413 K (-20°C to +140°C) |
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Mollub-Alloy 970/2500-1 |
253 K to 363 K (-20°C to +90°C) |
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CENTOPLEX EP 2 |
253 K to 403 K (-20°C to +130°C) |
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GRAFLOSCON C-SG O ultra |
243 K to 473 K (-30°C to +200°C) |
|
 |
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Lagermeister EP 2 |
253 K to 403 K (-20°C to +130°C) |
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Ceplattyn KG 10 HMF |
263 K to 413 K (-10°C to +140°C) |
|
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Mobilux EP 2 |
253 K to 393 K (-20°C to +120°C) |
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Mobilgear OGL 461 |
253 K to 393 K (-20°C to +120°C) |
|
 |
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Gadus S2 V220 2 |
248 K to 403 K (-25°C to +130°C) |
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Malleus OGH |
263 K to 473 K (-10°C to +200°C) |
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 |
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Multis EP 2 |
248 K to 393 K (-25°C to +120°C) |
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Ceran AD Plus |
248 K to 423 K (-25°C to +150°C) |
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Raceway grease | ||
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Gear grease | ||
Obtain confirmation of suitability from the lubricant manufacturer before using other lubricants. The properties must at least correspond to those of the greases listed in the table, and compatibility with the materials we use must be assured. When automatic lubricating devices are used, the lubricant manufacturer must confirm that the lubricant selected is suitable for a “pumped” system. Special lubricants are necessary if the bearings are used in extreme temperatures.
Lubricants are contaminants. They must not be allowed to get into the ground, the groundwater, or into the water and sewage system.
Relubrication of the raceway system
The bearing should be rotated during relubrication until a fresh collar of grease is seen to form around the whole circumference of the bearing gaps and lip seals. It is the responsibility of the maintenance personnel to ensure that the correct amounts of grease at individual regular intervals are administered to the bearing, determined by regular monitoring of the lubricated condition of both the bearing raceway and gear. The amount of lubrication will need to be increased and the lubrication intervals shortened in extreme conditions, e.g. in the tropics, where humidity levels (moisture) are raised, exposure to dust and dirt is high, and extreme temperature fluctuations prevail.
Bogie bearings for railway and tram vehicles as well as bearings for wind energy turbines are subject to special requirements, and Rothe Erde should be contacted in such cases.
In the case of partially assembled bearings, or if there is a long period between bearing installation and equipment commissioning, then appropriate maintenance procedures will be required, e.g. relubrication under rotation or ade quate slewing after no more than three months and there after every three months. Relubrication is absolutely essential before and after prolonged shutdown of the equipment.
Cleaning the equipment
When cleaning the equipment, care must be taken to prevent cleaning agents or water from damaging the seals or penetrating into the raceways.
Lubrication intervals for the gear
We recommend automatic gear lubrication. This is because the tooth flanks should always have sufficient grease applied relative to both the application and the duty. It is the responsibility of the maintenance personnel to ensure that the correct amounts of grease at individual regular intervals are administered to the gearing, determined by regular monitoring of the lubricated condition.
Note: Effective lubrication is essential for the raceway system and the gearing. This is the only way to achieve a satisfactory service life.
Advantage: Optimum use of lubricant and intervals increase the availability of the system.
Examination of bolts
The bolted connection must be capable of maintaining a pre-designated preload during the entire life of the bearing. Experience has shown that it is advisable to check the bolt torques on a regular basis and to retighten the bolts to compensate for any settlement phenomena.
Checking of the raceway system
When the bearing is put into operation, we recommend that tilting play or subsidence should be measured. Make sure that the wear limits of the bearing are not reached. We recommend repeating this measurement at suitable intervals. In addition, a sample of the used grease can be taken for analysis.
Checking of the seal
Check seals at least every 6 months, renew the seal if it is damaged.
Disposal at end of useful life
Bearing to be dismantled. Grease, seals and plastic parts to be disposed of in accordance with waste guidelines. Bearing rings and rolling elements to be taken to the relevant material recycling points.