Primary Navigation
Sampling Intervals and Locations
Although an equipment manufacturer's recommendations provide a good starting point for developing preventative maintenance practices, sampling intervals can easily vary. How critical a piece of equipment is to production is a major consideration for determining sampling frequency, as are environmental factors such as hot, dirty operating conditions, short trips with heavy loads and excessive idle times.
Maintenance goals also play an important part. Consider what you're trying to accomplish with your maintenance plan. If you are only concerned with the condition of the lube or the unit at any given point in time, your sampling intervals are probably going to be longer than if you were interested in optimizing drain intervals. It's also a good idea to discuss your maintenance goals and practices with both your OEM and your lubricant supplier so the ideal sampling interval can be determined.
The chart below explains at what interval and from what location to take a sample according to the type of component being tested. Also important to note is that with any unit type always remember that accurate and informative data analysis is possible only when samples are representative of the typical environmental conditions under which they operate. Dirt, system debris, water and light fuels tend to separate from the lubricant when system temperatures cool. Therefore, all lubricant samples should be taken while the system is operating under normal conditions or immediately after shutdown while the system is still at operating temperature.
| Equipment Type | Sampling Interval Normal / Intermittent Use |
Sampling Location |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel Engines | Monthly or at 250 - 500 Hours / Quarterly. Just Prior to Oil Drain | Through Dipstick Retaining Tube or Sampling Valve Installed in Filter Return |
| Natural Gas Engines | Monthly or at 250 - 500 Hours / Quarterly. Just Prior to Oil Drain | Through Dipstick Retaining Tube or Sampling Valve Installed in Filter Return |
| Mechanical Transmissions, Differentials, Final Drive / Planetary | At Least Every 500 Hours. No Less Than 3 Time Per year. Just Prior to Oil Drain | Through Oil Level Plug or Dipstick Retaining Tube |
| Hydraulics | Bi-Monthly or Monthly / Quarterly. Just Prior to Oil Drain | Through Oil Fill Port of System Reservoir at Mid-Level |
| Gas Turbines | Monthly or at Least Every 500 Hours | Through Sample Valve Installed Upstream of the Filter on the Return Line or out of the System Reservoir |
| Steam Turbines | Bi-Monthly or Monthly / Quarterly | Through Sample Valve Installed Upstream of the Filter on the Return Line or out of the System Reservoir |
| Gas/Air Compressors | Monthly or at 500 Hours / Quarterly | Through Sample Valve Installed Upstream of the Filter on the Return Line or out of the System Reservoir |
| Refrigeration Compressors | Start, Mid & End of Season | Through Sample Valve Installed Upstream of the Filter on the Return Line or out of the System Reservoir |
| Gear & Bearing Systems | Bi-Monthly or Monthly / Quarterly | Through Petcock Valve at Exit of Each Gear or Bearing Set or Through System Reservoir |
Quick Links
Top
News
POLARIS Laboratories® Expands into Central America
POLARIS Laboratories® is again extending its global reach with a new laboratory in Guatemala City. The expansion supports the company's global strategy for continued growth and is indicative of the strength and potential of the Central American market.
POLARIS Laboratories® Makes Inc. 5000 List Third Year in a Row
For the third year in a row, POLARIS Laboratories® has been named to Inc. Magazine's List of 5000 Fastest Growing Privately-Held Companies in America.
Training
Nashville
Cooling Systems Maintenance
March 6, 2012Nashville
Oil Analysis
March 7-8, 2012Houston
Cooling Systems Maintenance
April 17, 2012
Tradeshows & Conferences
UMA Motorcoach Expo
Long Beach, CA
February 8-12, 2012PepsiCo Summit & Tradeshow
San Antonio, TX
February 13-16, 2012
Secondary Navigation
