Mining lubricants

Where a mine uses oil and grease

• Hydraulic excavators, loaders and drilling rigs
• Dumper trucks and heavy vehicles: engine, transmission and axle
• Crushers, screens and grinding mills
• Conveyor gearboxes and drives
• Winches, cranes and wire ropes
• Pins, bushes and bearings on moving equipment

Hydraulic oil for excavators, loaders and rigs

Mobile mining machines run their hydraulics at high pressure for long shifts. The oil must protect pumps and valves from wear, stay stable when hot, and hold its viscosity across a wide temperature range. Anti-wear (AW) hydraulic oils in ISO VG 46 or VG 68 are common, but the grade the machine maker specifies comes first.

Dust is the main enemy. Keep breathers and filters in good order, and fill from clean containers, because a few particles of dust can wear a pump quickly.

Heavy-duty gear oil for crushers, mills and conveyors

Crusher and mill gearboxes carry heavy, shock-type loads. They usually need an extreme-pressure (EP) gear oil in a high viscosity grade, often ISO VG 220, 320 or higher, and some plants prefer a synthetic EP oil for wide temperature ranges. Check the gearbox manual for the grade, watch the oil temperature, and do not mix different oils.

Grease for heavy-duty bearings and pins

Pins, bushes and bearings in mining equipment see heavy load, water and dust. Lithium complex and calcium sulfonate EP greases in NLGI 2 resist water and handle high loads, and greases with moly or graphite help where shock is severe. Grease more often in dusty, wet conditions, and purge old grease so dirt does not stay in the bearing.

Wire rope lubricant for cranes and hoists

Wire ropes flex, take shock and meet moisture and corrosive dust. A good wire rope compound penetrates the rope and protects against rust and wear. Re-lubricate on a schedule, and clean off old, dirty lubricant first.

Engine oil for dumpers and heavy vehicles

Heavy-duty diesel engines in dumpers and loaders work long hours under load in dust. A heavy-duty engine oil such as SAE 15W-40 at API CI-4 PLUS level is common for this work. Follow the engine maker's grade and change interval, and use clean air and oil filters.

How to choose the right lubricant

• Start with the machine maker's manual.
• Note the load, temperature, dust and water exposure.
• Match the viscosity grade and the performance level (AW, EP, API).
• Ask for a sample and test it on one machine first.
• Set a change and greasing plan, and keep to it.