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Exxon Grease |
CANMET's Independent Testing Results |
Petro-Canada Grease |
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Petro-Canada |
| Pro | Con |
| Grease adheres to metal better than oil so a corrosive resistant coating remains on parts in drills that are not used for long periods or kept in storage underground. | Grease
which drips onto metal platforms (e.g.: scissor lifts & alimak raise machines) could produce slippery footing for operators. |
| Grease does not emulsify and will not wash out of drills, in instances where high water pressure causes a back-pressure and floods drills. | Grease does not readily wash off drill operators hands, face or out of their clothing. Drillers may complain of persistent smell of grease. |
| Grease does not "mist" as finely as rock drill oil,
therefore is not as likely to be airborne in exhaust air coming from the drill. It
is self evident from photographs that this is true and the point
was proved by: Independent testing at CANMET's Experimental Mine |
Grease does not travel up the hose as quickly as rock drill oil, so parts in the drills should be coated with grease before changing from rock drill oil to grease. This prevents lack of lubrication. (see procedures). |
| Grease consistency is thicker than the viscosity of rock drill oil. Molecules of grease are too large to dissolve in the bloodstream. | Studies have proven that the viscosity of rock drill oil is such that molecules of misted oil are too large to dissolve in the bloodstream. |
| When
drills are "dieseling", rock drill oil is actually being burned in the drill,
producing an oxidized gas which is unhealthy to breath. Grease will not "diesel". |
In
cold temperatures, heavy grease may not reach and lubricate the drill front end.
Use the proper grade of grease suited to the temperature. (see procedures). (see what damage occurs if this happens) |
| Customers
observed a reduction in wear of moving drill parts in preliminary testing. No overall improvement in parts wear proven. |
If orifice setting in a HAL Lubricator is too large (Example: winter orifice used in summer) too much grease goes to the drill. It may fill or plug the valve chest slowing operation. JOY Lubricator requires no orifice change. |
| It is noted that double zero grease will collect and retain dirt and debris carried into the drill from rusted pipelines creating a grinding media to wear parts. | When rock drill oil washes out of the drill it carries with it most of the dirt and debris that may have blown into the drill from rusted pipelines. |
| It appears older drills, though nearly worn out have higher compression using grease and operate longer before major overhaul. | Use
of grease does not increase penetration rates. Use of grease produces little or no reduction in rock drill noise levels. |
| Grease
is very sticky in severe cold conditions. Grease can become tacky in drills stored in cold conditions and drills become hard to start. |
Rock
drill
oil works in all weather conditions. Oil does not stick to parts in drills left in storage in cold conditions so drills start readily. |
| Notice
less vibration in drills using grease. Observations not proven by measurement. Testing continues. |
De-fatting solvents
are used in manufacture of some greases.
De-fatting solvents have a tendency to dry out human tissue. Exposed operators
complain of dry skin. No de-fatting agents used in manufacture of Petro-Canada Vultrex EP000 grease. |
| Independent testing at CANMET's Experimental Mine has recorded a 75% reduction in consumption of lubricant in preliminary testing. |
