Sensible Lubrication Equipment for the Maintenance Workshop
Page 55
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TO provide for the fact that it is not generally possible to move commercial vehicles about the garage so as to bring them within reach of the lubrication equipment, Tecalemit, Ltd., Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, has set out to produce a range of new models of greaser, which, although having a good lubricant capacity can be moved about the garage. Another feature of them is that they are quick and easy to use.
Two of these new appliances are hand-operated, whilst the third obtains its high-pressure. lubricant-injection power from an electric motor.
The Easy Gun lubricator, priced at £8, is a particularly interesting model, suitable for maintentutee work where hand power is sufficient. It may be mentioned that the hand power is so easily applied as to cause no trouble or delay to the operator in his work. The appliance comprises a hand-operated lubricating pump and a long flexible pipe for the compressor attachment, these being mounted on a stand which, on easy-running castors, can be moved about between closely spaced vehicles. The stand will take, as refills, standard 1-cwt. drums of grease which Tecalemit, Ltd., supplies, so that the minimum of bother is caused when the supply becomes exhausted.
The low-pressure pump forces lubricant upward from the drum into a pneumatic cylinder, compressing the air therein to about 150 lb. per sq. in. This stored pressure is utilized afterwards to drive the lubricant out into the pipe line and maintain a continual supply to the
compresSor. A relief valve prevents overloading of the cylinder,
Either the scissor-type compressor for hexagon nipples or the ram type for Zerk nipples can be fitted at the end of the 8-ft. flexible pipe, and a simple device, in which three balls are pressed into an annular grove, enables the hand compressor to be swivelled around without any fear of it coming unscrewed, whilst a non-return valve prevents grease from escaping while compressors are 'being changed. Suitable nozzles for Alemite bayonet nipples and screwon nipples are supplied.
The Little Giant lubricator, priced at £6, is intended to give similar service to
• users for whom a charge of 12 lb. of
grease is sufficient. It is of a size and weight that can be easily carried about the garage, and the act of lifting it and thrusting down the handle supplies the grease at low pressure to the scissortype compressor, the high-pressure injec tion being effected in the normal way by
the operator. The Little Giant, like the Easy Gun, has a length of flexible pipe, and interchangeable compressors.
The L60 Giant Electrogun is robustly constructed for use where a machine is likely to get continuous rough treatment in taking care of the lubrication of closely parked fleets of commercial vehicles. It comprises a 60-lb. container feeding a worm-driven pumping unit having a three-throw crankshaft, springloaded telescopic connecting rods and Nitralloy pumping plungers, cylinders, valves and valve seats.
The worm drive runs in an oil bath which also floods the telescopic connecting rods, ensuring long life and extreme quietness of operation. An electric motor is mounted vertically and drives the worm shaft through a self-aligning coupling. Correct oil level is indicated by a dip-stick in the oil-filling orifice.
A stop-and-start switch is fitted, and normally a 20-ft. length of three-core cab-tyre electric cable with a suitable three-pin. plug and socket is supplied. By the use of Nitralloy plungers, bushings and hardened valves and seats, a machine capable of long life is ensured.
The grease container fitted to the machine is capable of holding 60 lb. of grease, and a large, readily cleaned strainer is fitted between this and the pump unit, so as to clear the grease of any particle of foreign matter. Either one or two delivery hoses can be attached, but the standard equipment includes only one 7-ft, delivery hose, complete with booster control valve, whip-end hose and nipple adapters.
The assembly is mounted on four robust wheels, two having a full castor movement, which, combined with the rigid handle, allow the machine to be easily nismeuvred.
The main feature of the machine lies in the spring-loaded telescopic connecting rods, which are designed to replace the camplicated electric pressure-controller switch usually used on this type of machine. They allow for a maximum flow of lubricant in cases where no great resistance is met, and automatically build up a pressure to 3,000 lb. per sq. in. to force it through restricted passages.
As no pumping of lubricant is taking place when the delivery control valve is closed, the only power consumed to operate the machine is that necessary to keep it turning. Also, no damage is caused to grease for this is undisturbed during this period_ A d.c., a.c. single-phase or a.e. three-phase motor is supplied.