Dairy Processing

Lubrication Engineers lubricants have been readily accepted in the dairy processing industry because commercial lubricants simply cannot perform under these extreme conditions. Heat, cold and moisture are encountered in all facets of dairy operations, thus making this industry an ideal market for our products. Constant care must be taken to prevent contamination, where lubricating equipment may come into contact with dairy products. In some cases, even the odor from the lubricant is sufficient to render dairy products unfit for human consumption.

Rigid sanitation standards are imposed by various governmental agencies. Therefore, water, steam and cleaning agents are used liberally. With the exception of the power-producing equipment, it is essential that the lubricants used possess the ability to resist water, steam, and acid conditions.

Gear drives are used extensively in dairy operations. Since steam and water are used for cleaning, condensation and heat in gearboxes are constant problems. Both factors will destroy the lubricating qualities of common gear oils, causing metal-to-metal contact and premature failure. The ability of Lubrication Engineers gear oils to separate from water is a real customer benefit. When gearboxes are cooling, water from condensation can be drained from them. Extreme care should be taken to match the proper lubricant to original equipment manufacturers specifications, but we manufactures the finest lubricants available to meet OEM specifications.

Lubrication Engineers heavy-duty ALMASOL® and DUOLEC™ gear lubricants will not "thin-out" or form permanent emulsions. Thus, gears are kept completely coated with lubricant and metal-to-metal contact is virtually eliminated. Remember, the 1600 series DUOLEC™ Gear Lubricants permit easy drain off of water accumulations. Dependent upon OEM viscosity specifications for gear oil, we recommend 1601, 1602, 1603, 1604, 1605, 1606, 1607, 1608 or 1609 DUOLEC ™ Vari-Purpose Gear Lubricant.

Modernized dairy equipment will sometimes have very high speed gearboxes or reducers for which the manufacturer will specify a turbine oil. Here again, water separation ability is extremely important so we would recommend 6401, 6402, 6403, 6404, 6405, 6406, 6407 MONOLEC® R&O Compressor/Turbine Oils or 6801, 6802, 6803, 6804, 6805, 6806 or 6807 MULTILEC® Industrial Oil.

Because of the nature of its products, all dairy and food processors must have refrigeration capabilities Refrigeration units may vary in size from very small to very large dependent upon the capacity needs of the dairy. Like air compressors, the refrigeration compressors may be reciprocating, rotary or centrifugal. Cooling is achieved by compressing a gas such as ammonia or Freon, which require special considerations as contamination can occur if contact is made between the compressed gas and the lubricant. You are encouraged to get all OEM information available such as make, model, lube specification, current lubricant and operational history and communicate with your RSC before making a lubricant recommendation for refrigeration equipment.

Dairy processors, like nearly all industries, require air compressors. Special considerations come into play when making lube recommendations for air compressors such as current lube being used and has the customer been experiencing any problems with the compressor. In dairies where high humidity conditions prevail, you should inquire as to operational history to determine if any acid hydrolysis is present in the compressor.

Lubication Engineers make a number of superior lubricants that are excellent for air compressors and will provide the customer more efficient operation and cost savings from extended drain intervals and lower electrical energy requirements. As with any application, do not hesitate to call 1-800-GO-LUBES for assistance in making the proper lubricant recommendation should you have any questions whatsoever. Dependent upon OEM specification, we recommends the following lubricants for air compressors:

Numerous applications requiring grease will be found in dairies. These may be plain roller or ball bearings, slides, chains, cables or conveyors. Here again, you must remember that constant cleaning requirements present a very humid, even wet environment. Government agencies may require that greases be H1 food grade where incidental contact with product may occur. Bearings tend to be rather high speed, in which case our 1274 and 1275 ALMAPLEX® are excellent recommendation, as it will "seal" moisture out of bearings and provide excellent lubrication with extended relubrication interval requirements. With slides, chains, cables or conveyors where incidental contact and a possibility for wash off from water may occur, 4024, 4025, 4025A or 4059A QUINPLEX® lubricants are excellent recommendations dependent upon application requirements.

Many dairies deliver their own products, in which case, they may maintain their own fleet of trucks. For further information on trucks, please refer to our owners and operators section of our target industries. It should be borne in mind that fleet conversion to Lubrication Engineers products can be a lengthy and technical process so, this facet of dairy operations should possibly be pursued after in plant applications have been converted to Lubrication Engineers products.