Selection of lubricating oil for the lubrication and maintenance of the power trowel machine

The lubrication and maintenance of the power trowel machine (concrete power trowel) is directly related to the equipment's lifespan, construction efficiency and operational safety. The correct selection of lubricating oil is the core of maintenance.

The following is a guide for selecting lubricating oils and maintenance points for each key component of the power trowel machine:

Core principle

Select by part function: The requirements for lubricating oil (viscosity, pressure resistance, adhesion) in different parts are completely different.
Give priority to using the oil recommended by the manufacturer: The instruction manual is the first choice.
Quality first: Use qualified products from reputable brands. Inferior oil products can lead to accelerated wear and malfunctions.

Ⅰ. Detailed Explanation of Lubricant Selection for Each Part

1. Gearbox/Reducer (core transmission component)

Function: It can withstand high torque and high load, and requires good anti-wear and heat dissipation performance.
Recommended oil products
API GL-4 or GL-5 grade vehicle gear oil. This is the most commonly used and universal choice.
Viscosity grade: Selected based on climate and load.
Normal temperature/general use: 85W-90 or 80W-90 gear oil.
Cold regions/winter: 75W-90 (Better fluidity at low temperatures).
High temperature and heavy load: 85W-140 can be considered, but the manual should be referred to.
Inspection and replacement
First replacement: After the new machine has been in operation for 50 hours.
Regular replacement: Every 300 to 500 hours of operation or at least once a year.
Check the oil level: Before and after each use, check through the oil sight glass or dipstick to keep it within the specified range.

2. Blade spindle/Bearing (high-speed rotating component)

Function: High-speed rotation requires grease to seal the bearings to prevent cement slurry from entering and causing wear.
Recommended oil products

Lithium-based grease: The most commonly used, such as No. 2 or No. 3 lithium-based grease. It has excellent water resistance, mechanical stability and rust prevention.
Better choices: Extreme pressure lithium-based grease or polyurea grease. They have higher heat resistance, extreme pressure resistance and a longer service life, making them suitable for high-intensity continuous operations.
Filling method: Use a grease gun to fill through the oiling nozzle until the old grease is squeezed out, and then remove the old grease. Make sure that each oiling point is lubricated.
Maintenance cycle: It must be refilled once every 8 to 10 hours of work or at the end of daily construction. In harsh environments with a lot of dust and cement slurry, it needs to be done more frequently.

3. Lifting screw/adjusting mechanism

Function: Threaded transmission, which requires reducing friction and preventing rust.
Recommended oil products
General-purpose grease (such as lithium-based grease) or thread anti-seizing paste.
Spray type: PTFE (Teflon) dry film lubricant or penetrating anti-rust lubricant can be used (such as WD-40 for cleaning and anti-rust, but special grease is required for long-term lubrication).
Maintenance: Manually apply or spray before and after each adjustment to keep it clean and free of cement lumps.

4. Engine (Gasoline engine/diesel engine)

Gasoline engine
Engine oil: Four-stroke gasoline engine oil is used. The viscosity is commonly SAE 10W-30 or SAE 30 (depending on the temperature and the manual). Quality grade SJ or above.
Replacement cycle: First 25 hours, then every 50 to 100 hours or by season.
Diesel engine
Engine oil: Use diesel engine oil of CF-4 or above grade. The viscosity should be selected according to the climate, such as 15W-40.
Air filters and mechanical filters: Regularly clean or replace them, especially on construction sites with a lot of dust.

5. Traveling wheel bearings/steering mechanism

Recommended oil: For the same blade spindle, use lithium-based grease.
Maintenance cycle: Check and add every 50 hours of operation or weekly.

Ⅱ. Maintenance and Lubrication Steps (Simple Process)

Pre-construction inspection

Check the oil level in the gearbox.
Check whether there are any missing or clogged fuel injectors at each oiling point.
Clean the surface of the machine, especially the mud and sand around the oiling nozzle.

Note during construction:

Avoid soaking the machine in water or cement slurry for a long time.
Pay attention to abnormal noises and overheating of the machine, which may indicate poor lubrication.

Daily post-construction maintenance (the most crucial!)" :

Thorough rinse: Use clean water to rinse off all cement slurry and dirt on the machine, with a focus on cleaning the blades, chassis and oil injectors.
Apply grease: Use a grease gun to add new grease to all grease injectors until the old grease is squeezed out.
Inspection: Check if the screws are loose and if any parts are damaged.

Regular deep maintenance

Change the gear oil periodically.
Conduct a comprehensive inspection of the wear conditions of bearings and gears.
Before long-term storage, all exposed metal parts should be coated with anti-rust oil and stored in a dry place.

Ⅲ. Common Mistakes and Taboos

Error 1: Using regular butter instead of extreme pressure grease. This leads to the thinning and loss of grease at high temperatures and the wear of bearings.
Error 2: Only adding oil without removing old fat. The abrasive particles in the old grease will accelerate wear and must be extruded.
Error 3: Mixing gear oil with engine oil. The performance is completely different and irreplaceable.
Error 4: Neglecting cleaning and directly applying oil. It will inject mud and sand into the interior of the bearing and turn them into "grinding paste".
Taboo: It is strictly prohibited to apply any lubricating oil to friction parts such as brake pads and clutch plates!

Summary and suggestions

For a typical power trowel, you can prepare the following oils:
One bucket of 85W-90 gear oil (for gearboxes).
1 can of No. 2 or No. 3 extreme pressure lithium-based grease (for all bearings and moving joints).
One bottle of 10W-30 four-stroke gasoline engine oil (if the engine is gasoline-based).
One high-quality butter gun.
Regular, thorough lubrication and maintenance with the correct oil is the most economical and effective way to ensure the reliable, efficient and long-term service of the power trowel machine.

 

Note: The parameters provided in this document are for reference only and are not mandatory. Due to differences in technical characteristics between different brands and models of laser levelers, please consult the manufacturer for a suitable solution before actual operation. This reference document assumes no responsibility for any issues arising from failure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Thanks to all the friends who support and trust Shandong Vanse Machinery Technology Co., Ltd.

If you want to know more about Shandong Vanse Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. or have any questions, please feel free to contact us:
• Tel: +86-13639422395
• Email: sales@vanse.cc
• Website: www.vansemac.com