| Proactive maintenance practices are vital to maximize | | | | make their way into the raceways of the bearing or |
| pump life, minimize downtime and avoid costly repairs. | | | | into the pump. |
| The right maintenance program includes maintenance | | | | 2. Metallic particles |
| activities for all primary causes of failure: wear, seal | | | | Once spalling occurs, small metallic particles from the |
| damage and bearing failure. | | | | bearing can enter the oil and lead to further damage. |
| KEY CAUSES OF BEARING FAILURE | | | | Regularly confirm that the lubricating oil is kept clean |
| The most common causes for bearing failure are | | | | to ensure contaminated oil is not supplied to the |
| contamination and poor lubrication; however, | | | | pump. Transfer oil in clean containers and avoid using |
| excessive loading and bearing damage prior to | | | | dirty rags when handling funnels or replacing caps. |
| operation—during assembly or handling—can | | | | 3. Fluids, such as water or chemical solutions |
| also be culprits. Good failure mode analysis offers | | | | Check for water contamination by letting the |
| clear indications of the root cause and can identify | | | | lubricant settle and take a sample from the bottom |
| common solutions to solve bearing problems. | | | | of the oil sump to see if water is present. If fluid |
| If contamination or poor lubrication is causing bearing | | | | contamination exists, follow the pump |
| failure in your application, the following preventative | | | | manufacturer’s oil servicing instructions for |
| measures can help: | | | | ensuring contaminated oil is replaced with clean oil and |
| 1. Dust/dirt | | | | filled to the correct level. |
| Keep the bearing in its packaging until ready for | | | | The initial investment in a pump is small in proportion |
| installation to eliminate the chance for dust particles in | | | | to the potential overall life cycle cost of the pump in |
| the air to stick to open type bearings, which typically | | | | the absence of proper maintenance. Preventative |
| have a rust preventive oil coating. When handling an | | | | maintenance is integral to protect your pump and |
| unpacked bearing, beware of dirt, grease or other | | | | overall system investment. |
| contaminants on hands, rags and surfaces that can | | | | |