INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE
Coupling Maintenance
Feb 4, 2010 - 12:15:48 PM

When it comes to coupling maintenance, attention to detail is the key. Depending on the style of coupling, putting in extra time to get it right is crucial to getting maximum life and performance. Insert and elastomeric style couplings can be viewed with a strobe and require little maintenance, if any. However grid and gear, in addition to spool types, need extra attention while performing routine maintenance to assure the task is performed in a manner that provides the most useable life of the coupling.

If a coupling is only lubricated and not parted, things may get worse. Wear contaminants, hardened lubricants and foreign particles may cause premature wear of the coupling or loss of clearance, creating a heavy load condition on the machine's bearings.

In conducting coupling maintenance, it is necessary to partially disassemble in order to remove as much of the old lubricant as possible. Inspect the components for signs of wear, looking for indications of improperly aligned equipment. This may consist of uneven wear of the coupling hubs or inserts, broken coupling grids or shimpacks, and binding while rotating the shafts by hand.

Pre-lube the sliding surfaces of the coupling and ensure that components have the required freedom of movement prior to reassembly. Proceed with manufacturer's recommendations on lubrication of a new coupling. By following this routine preventive maintenance, you may extend the life of your couplings and increase reliability.

Please contact Chris Treat with the Industrial Maintenance Technologies department for any coupling maintenance, laser-alignment and other predictive maintenance needs such as vibration analysis and field balancing.

Tip provided by The Timken Company and implemented by IBT IMT Technicians.