Lubricating excavators and heavy construction and agricultural machinery, which consist of many moving parts, requires regular lubrication to ensure smooth operation, prevent wear, and protect against corrosion. Below, I present the main components of the excavator that should be considered when lubricating and choosing the best grease for the excavator, including grease for the excavator's undercarriage, grease for the excavator's joints, or grease for the excavator's bearings:
Pivot Pin
The pivot pin is a key element that allows the upper part of the excavator to rotate around the vertical axis. Lubricating the pivot pin is essential to ensure smooth movement and prevent wear. If using multi-purpose lithium greases, which are very popular, they must contain anti-seize additives and be resistant to high loads. The regularity of lubrication is a condition for the good performance of the pivot pin. Choose a grease suitable for the working conditions and temperature of the excavator. In low-temperature conditions, greases with better fluidity can be used. It is important to ensure the grease is compatible with the sealing materials and the pivot pin itself. Some greases may react with sealing materials, which can lead to damage.
Boom and Arm Joints
The boom and arm of the excavator are connected by joints that must be regularly lubricated. Lubricating these joints prevents seizing and wear of the surfaces, ensuring smooth movements of the arm and boom. It is recommended to use high-quality greases specifically designed to work under heavy loads and in tough conditions for lubricating the boom and arm joints. In recent years, synthetic greases have become popular for this application, which, although more expensive, demonstrate significantly better performance, compatibility with materials used in the joints and booms of the excavator, and, most importantly, much greater longevity than mineral greases.
Buck Joints
The excavator's bucket is also attached to the arm via joints. These joints must be lubricated to ensure smooth operation of the bucket, especially during loading and unloading materials. For lubricating the bucket joints, emergency greases are recommended, which, even when dried out, retain lubricating properties due to the presence of ceramic particles such as graphite, molybdenum, tungsten, Teflon, or other solid nano-particles in the composition.
Undercarriage Bearings
The excavator tracks are mounted on the undercarriage, which consists of many moving parts, such as idler rollers, tension rollers, and track chains. All these elements must be regularly lubricated to prevent wear and seizing. In this lubrication point, due to large sizes, mineral bearing greases are most often used. Lubricating the excavator tracks is a simple but time-consuming process and should be planned in advance.
Engine
Although engine lubrication usually involves regular engine oil changes, some components, such as crankshaft bearings, also require lubrication with special agents. The parameters of such greases are specified in the excavator's manual.
Hydraulic Cylinders
Hydraulic cylinders are responsible for the movement of the boom, arm, and bucket. The seals and joints of these cylinders must be lubricated to prevent leaks and ensure smooth operation. Due to their interaction with seals, synthetic greases are recommended.
Steering System Joints
If the excavator is equipped with a steering system (e.g., in the case of backhoe loaders), the joints of this system must be lubricated to ensure precise and smooth control.
Suspension
Some excavators have suspension components that also require regular lubrication to prevent wear and seizing.
Hydraulic Connections and Fittings
All connections and fittings in the hydraulic system should be lubricated to prevent leaks and corrosion.
Rotary Joints
Excavators have various rotary joints that allow movements in multiple planes. These joints must be regularly lubricated to ensure smooth operation and prevent wear. The grease must provide lubrication even in emergency situations, as a lack of grease can cause permanent damage to this component.
Summary
Regular lubrication of the excavator is crucial for its longevity and reliability. Neglecting this aspect can lead to rapid component wear, failures, and costly repairs. Lubrication should be part of the daily maintenance routine, and using high-quality greases will provide maximum protection and performance for the excavator.
Which Grease to Choose for the Excavator?
When selecting the type of grease and its manufacturer, it is worth considering the temperature range suitable for the working conditions of the excavator. First and foremost, attention should be paid to the manufacturer's recommendations for the construction machine and the materials used in it. Lubrication of the excavator's parts should take into account its specifics. Grease for the hydraulic components of the excavator requires different parameters than grease for the cylinders, and grease for the boom does not need to be the same as grease for the pivot pin.
The grease that has a wide application in excavator components, in terms of mineral base, is Molykote LONGTERM 2 plus. In the range of synthetic products used for lubricating the excavator, it is recommended to use Molykote G-4700. Full data on greases and types of greases for the excavator can be found on the manufacturer's or distributor's website.
