OIL FILTER PERFORMANCE RATINGS You may have heard someone say, “a filter is a filter.” Although catchy, this phrase is very misleading. It is said assuming any filter will get the job done. Not all filters and lubricants are created equally. There is no one size fits all in this world of lubrication. Lubricants and filters must be selected based on the application. So why do we view oil as a consumable instead of an asset? Why do we see changing oil filters as a task that we complete off a schedule or perform filtration only when the oil lab says the oil is dirty? An oil filter to our oil is like a liver to our blood. With that understanding, we can appreciate the importance of proper filter selection…
Belt-driven rotating equipment is commonly found in all types of facilities. Typical applications include rolls, fans, motors, shafts, and blowers. It is important to maintain that equipment in order to increase its reliability. Maintenance is essential in today’s industrial environment to ensure assets and equipment are running as reliably as they should. Like any part that can wear over time, belt-driven equipment should be periodically inspected. This includes the inspection of the pulleys, sheaves, and belts. Worn belts and sheaves should be replaced. Belts should be properly tensioned and the equipment aligned. It is important to have quantitative values so that the condition of the machine can be evaluated and monitored over time. One way this can be accomplished is through ultrasound and vibration readings. Another value that can be…