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Lubricant Storage and Handling - Doug's Tip of the Month

Doug Vrooman

One of the most important aspects of proper lubricants and lubrication, but widely overlooked, is storage, handling and transport of the lubricants.

This includes all lubricants

  • Engine Oils
  • Hydraulic Fluids
  • Gear Lubes
  • Heat Transfer Fluids
  • Metal Working Fluids

Storage and Handling of lubricants

  • Keep Lubricants Clean and Dry
    • Proper containers.
    • Clearly labeled - aid in preventing cross contamination.
    • Airtight containers.
    • Desiccant breathers - help prevent the ingression of contaminants, both in the air such as dust or dirt as well as water content from humidity or a moist environment.
    • Stored in an area with adequate lighting and ventilation.
    • Stored with proper containment in case of a spill.
    • Storage areas should always be clean and free of clutter.

Considerations for Handling and Transport of lubricants

  • Lubricants exposed to the air or elements can have ingression of contaminants
    • When moving lubricants from one container to another
    • Consider filtration: Filtering lubricants and maintaining clean oil can extend the life of the lubricant as well as extend the life of the equipment being lubricated. An acceptable level of cleanliness is established via the ISO Cleanliness code which is determined by the OEM of the equipment being lubricated.

Results of Improper handling and/or storage of lubricants

  • Cross contamination or cross-mixing of oils
    • Very detrimental not only to the lubricant, but also the equipment that it is lubricating.
    • Mixing of lubricants can cause a series of issue to include but not limited to.
      • Oxidation
      • Additive loss
      • Changes to viscosity.
    • Cross mixing of a Gear Oil and an R&O Hydraulic fluid for example; could result in the EP – Extreme Pressure additives in the gear oil to attack yellow metals and create excessive wear in bearing materials requiring only the hydraulic fluid. On the other hand, diluting the EP additives in gear oil with a hydraulic fluid could result in inadequate lubrication for a heavily loaded gear set.
With any lubricant, proper storage and handling should always be the best practice. Keep in mind, that it is easier and less expensive to keep contaminants from entering a lubricant and/or prevent cross contamination, than it is to remove the contaminants or solve the cross-contamination issue after the fact. Please reach out to your Sales Representative or myself, Doug Vrooman, Senior Technical Advisor, with any questions you may have! 

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