Avoid Greasing in the Winter with These Tips Instead

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Even though winter downtime is ideal for handling large projects and many routine maintenance activities that you don’t want to interrupt the money-making construction season, there are some tasks you’re better off saving for warmer weather. Take “greasing” as an example. This is not an activity for cooled components. And there are other caveats to keep in mind.

Many of today’s motors have sealed bearings that don’t require greasing. Make sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for best practices and proper upkeep.

For those areas of the plant where greasing needs to occur, it needs to happen at scheduled intervals and when the components are heated. Depending on the bearing and its location, it may require more frequent lubrication than another. Again, this requires a regular schedule.

The Ammlub system from Ammann Group, Langenthal, Switzerland, is mounted directly on the plant’s lubrication points. It automatically applies lubricants at scheduled intervals, and lubricant applications can occur while the plant is running, enabling completion of the routine maintenance without a drop in productivity.

Remember to track the type of grease used on different components, as well. Terry Elbert of Commercial Asphalt Plant Services shared, “I would also be cautious of the type of grease used, especially if your electric motors are part of your grease schedule. Electric motors typically use a polyurea or lithium base, which most multi-purpose greases are not compatible with. Mixing greases can cause the grease structure to soften or stiffen, leading to bearing failure.”

Check out “How to Prevent Equipment Seizures” from the October 2019 Training Directory and “How Lubrication Strategies Cut Costs at the Plant” from June 2025 at TheAsphaltPro.com.

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