Best Lubrication Practices for Hurricane Harvey Recovery

With the extensive flooding, much equipment has been submerged and contaminated with dirty, brackish water.  Before operations resume, ALL equipment that has been under water will need to be flushed and drained and then Re-flushed and drained properly before filling with new lubricant and installing new filters.

Action must be taken as soon as possible to prevent rust and corrosion as well as abrasive wear.  Fortunately, we are well equipped with the knowledge, practice and products to assist our customers in cleaning and flushing equipment and getting them back to normal operations.

Here are some guidelines for getting equipment up and running again.  Contact Hydrotex’s Technical Response Team for specific guidance if needed.  Caution is advised to avoid damage to your equipment and injury to yourself.

ENGINES – mobile and stationary

1. Remove sparkplugs or injectors – spray Essentialube® inside each cylinder – reinstall sparkplugs or injectors
2. Drain engine oil and water from crankcase
3. Replace old oil filter
4. Add new oil PLUS 10% Essentialube to normal fill level – operate engine for 30 minutes, then drain oil
5. Replace flushing filter, add new oil – begin normal operations

GEAR BOXES – differentials, transfer cases, manual transmissions and industrial gear boxes

1. Drain gear box
2. Refill with new gear oil PLUS 10% Essentialube
3. On large industrial gear boxes, replace filter if the gearbox is equipped with one
4. Operate gear box:
   1. Automotive differentials, transfer cases and manual transmission for 1 day or 100 miles, then drain and refill with new oil.
   2. Industrial gear boxes for 10 hours or one shift, then drain and refill with new oil. Replace the filter again if there is one.
5. Resume normal operations.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS

1. Check for “milky” looking fluid. If it looks like a strawberry or blueberry shake, the fluid is contaminated with water and needs to be flushed.
2. Add 10% Essentialube and operate the transmission in PARK until fluid is at operating temperature (about 15 to 30 minutes).
3. Drain automatic transmission fluid, change filters if installed, and refill with the correct Hydrotex transmission fluid – Hy-Torque, Hy-Torque Gold, Hy-Torque Z or Hytrax.

MOBILE EQUIPMENT BEARINGS AND CHASSIS POINTS

Hydrotex Greases are formulated to resist water washout, but regreasing is recommended to drive out contaminants and avoid corrosion.

1. HyPlex Grease can be recommended for all wheel bearings, universal joints and chassis points.
2. Wheel Bearings – any wheel bearings that have been used to drive through flooded areas should be repacked with new grease immediately or as soon as possible after emergency operations allow.
3. Universal Joints and All Chassis Points should also be re-greased as soon as possible

INDUSTIAL BEARINGS

Hydrotex Greases are formulated to resist water washout, but regreasing is recommended to drive out contaminants and avoid corrosion.

1. Any submerged industrial bearing needs to be purged and re-greased before resuming operations. Purging will depend upon bearing design – shields, drain plugs, seals, etc.  If you are not familiar with purging bearings, please contact the Hydrotex Technical Response Team.
2. Regrease bearing using the Hydrotex Grease that is fit for the industrial application

HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS – mobile and industrial

1. Check the hydraulic fluid reservoir for water. Take a sample of fluid from the bottom to check for free water.  Visually inspect fluid for haziness to check for entrained water.
2. If fluid is hazy or if free water is detected, drain the reservoir completely.
3. Refill the reservoir with new oil PLUS 10% to 20% Hydrotex Compressor, Gear and Hydraulic Flush.
4. Operate system for 4 to 8 hours.
5. Drain reservoir and replace filters.
6. Refill with new Hydrotex hydraulic fluid and resume normal operations

RECIPROCATING AIR COMPRESSORS – mobile and stationary

1. Drain oil and water from crankcase.
2. Add new oil PLUS 10% Essentialube to normal fill level.
3. Open the air exhaust lines from each cylinder, add (spray) Hydraulic and Compressor Flushing Agent DIRECTLY into each compressor cylinder – and leave the exhaust lines open.
4. Repair or replace the electric motor, then operate compressor with the exhaust lines open for 10 minutes – CAUTION: this should not be done if there is any source of ignition nearby as the Hydraulic and Compressor Flushing Agent/Air mixture will be COMBUSTIBLE.
5. Replace the air exhaust lines.
6. Check the air/oil separator and replace if necessary.
7. Resume normal operations

SCREW AND VANE AIR COMPRESSORS – mobile and industrial

1. Check the compressor fluid. Take a sample of fluid and visually inspect the fluid for haziness (entrained water) or free water in the bottom of the sample.
2. Mineral Oil or Polyalphaolefins (PAO) Compressor Oils – drain compressor thoroughly while hot, including all the low areas, fluid lines and the fluid cooler. Fill with 100% Hydrotex Compressor, Gear and Hydraulic Flush and run compressor for up to One Week.
3. Drain compressor while hot, including all the low areas. Shut down and lockout the compressor. Detach lines and drain. Inspect machine; if clean, change filters and separator elements. Reassemble lines and fill with the Hydrotex fluid you have selected for the compressor. Send a fluid sample for analysis at 200 hours.
4. Polyalkylene Glycol, or Ester based Compressor Oils – Contact Hydrotex Technical Response Team for assistance.

Flood Disaster Recovery Kit:

Essentialube (SKU 0001) appropriate container size PLUS Spray Bottle

Hydrotex Compressor, Gear and Hydraulic Flush (SKU 0079) appropriate container size

Oil Analysis Siphon Pump – Tubing and Bottles for visual inspection of fluids for water

Appropriate Hydrotex Engine Oil, Gear Oil, Transmission Fluid, Hydraulic Oil, Compressor Fluid, Grease