Poor bearing lubrication can lead to rapid failure of bearings and associated equipment. For example, a pulley bearing failure on a critical conveyor system will not only destroy the bearing but may damage the pulley shaft and conveyor belt, not to mention the impact of downtime. Poor lubrication can mean that a bearing will not receive enough fresh grease in order to prevent metal-to-metal contact of bearing elements and subsequent wear. In addition, because grease acts as a sealing agent for many bearings, poor lubrication can also allow the entry of contaminants such as water and dirt into a bearing. Advantages of Continuous Lubrication The effectiveness of manual lubrication is limited by the frequency of lubrication and common problems associated with the inconsistency of site greasing practices. The longer the relubrication interval, the greater the risk of bearing failure due to inadequate lubrication or contamination.
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