Wear (in the mechanical sphere) is generally defined as progressive damage, usually involving material loss, which occurs to the surface of a component, because of the relative motion at the surface of that component.  Because wear is, by definition, a gradual process, the associated costs and inconvenience are not readily apparent as, for example, with catastrophic failure due to brittle fracture or because of fatigue.
 
The costs of wear are widespread, including not only replacement parts, but also lost opportunity.
 
There is also the decreased efficiency arising from the continued use of worn components and consequently increased energy requirements, pushing costs upward. A sinister and “dangerous’ aspect of wear involves us as owners and operators. While it is seemingly imperceptible and usually very slow, and while we know it is happening, human nature tries to pretend it is not, which only adds to the issue. While the costs are distributed over a wide range of components and the cost factor on individual components may be small, they nevertheless continue to accrue. Whether you are responsible for a single vehicle, a fleet of cars, trucks, harvesters, bulldozers, or fishing vessels, WEAR IS HAPPENING!
 
How can  PM Lubrication help? 

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The PM Preventative Maintenance Lubrication System with the inherent philosophy of strengthening the oil film, and utilizing the latest lubricant technology, provides a major resource to not only reduce the wear rates and attendant high costs, but also to be more aware of what is occurring.
 

What to do?   

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Proactive, educated anticipation to prevent failures is required. Where and when possible, those who have access to the PM On-site Oil Quality Monitoring to use the technology and slow wear by extending the service life of lubricant, and combined with Oil Laboratory Analysis, can significantly improve reliability, and productivity. At Vault Works Taupo, we can either monitor your oil on-site, or provide you with a mail-in sample kit.

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Operating costs within the industry are attributed to ABRASIVE WEAR. Abrasive wear is generated from a broad range of sources - some of which are rarely considered but certainly should be. Naturally occurring abrasive materials include silica (the most common), alumina, and iron oxides, all of which account for some 87% of the Earth's crust. Writing this might cause you to think 'How can we win?".... or should we just 'wear' it? Then consider the high silica content of plant manure, for vehicles and machinery in the agricultural sector. Where equipment is in intimate contact with soil (the agricultural and mining industries), the most severe abrasive wear problems occur, as in agriculture, mining, and quarrying, given the complexity of petrol and diesel engines with close tolerances of the moving components! High speeds and pressures are generated under normal workload conditions, and it is very important to consider how to minimize the occurrence of abrasive wear. Abrasive wear in engines, transmissions, differentials, etc, can be loosely defined as the displacement of metals caused by interference of protuberances or foreign hard particles. This is okay if you are intentionally grinding and/or polishing a component to the required shape.

However, it is unacceptable that the loss of material is unintentional, such as when machine components are misused. Whether it displaces oil or material from cams and/or cam followers, piston rings, or cylinder bores and liners, or crankshaft bearings, decreased efficiency results. Continued use of worn components generates increased energy requirements and pushes both operating and maintenance costs higher. Gearbox bearings, shafts, gears, final drives, etc, all suffer the same problem.

Our Preventative Maintenance Lubrication System is specifically designed to inhibit wear and minimise damage. Which is why our users so frequently confirm doubling the useful life of their equipment, using Preventative Maintenance Quality Lubrication lubricants.

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Ready to experience the PM difference? Get in touch today and we can help you select the appropriate product(s) for your vehicles and machinery.​

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