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how to lubricate a small pellet mill

In this FAQ column, we have talked about problems that may happen to your small flat-die wood pellet mill, and the solutions have been given in the three parts of Troubleshooting Common Small Wood Pellet Mill Problems. But how about avoiding these problems at all by proper operation and good maintenance? As we all know, lubrication is the element of maintenance, good lubrication can prolong the pellet mill machines' service life. Therefore, I want to say something about how to lubricate small pellet mills.

Small pellet mill lubrication

pellet mill gear box lubrication
Lubrication is very important to small pellet mill machines. Without lubrication, the machine, especially it's wearing parts, will be extremely easy to get damaged. The parts you need to add oil frequently is the roller, the main shaft and the gear box.

No. Lubrication Part Oil Type Lubrication Period Oil Change Period
1 Roller Molybdenum disulfide grease Once per 4 working hours  
2 Main Shaft Molybdenum disulfide grease Once per 8 working hours  
3 Gear Box Hypoid Gear Oil The initial added lubricating oil should reach the designated position. (measure with dipstick) Six months for first time, one year later.

The roller is the crucial part for making pellets. As we all know, pellets are pressed in the small pellet machine by the die and the roller. Raw materials are squeezed into the pelletizing holes of the die by the roller. In other words, every minute the machine works, great pressure is generated by the friction between the roller and the die. If the roller is without lubrication, the pressure will wear the roller out very quickly and the pellet machine may not able to produce pellets as usual. Sometimes, even the roller shaft can be broken. What's more, the raw material between die and roller can absorb a part of oil, so you need to add more oil to the roller regularly.

pellet mill roller lubrication
The main shaft also need regular lubrication. Not as frequent as the roller though, you still need to take care of it. Main shaft is the center of small pellet mill, all other parts roll around the shaft, if the shaft is not lubricating enough, the whole machine may broken. The gear box, of course, also should always be lubricating.

Reference amount of oil

ZLSP-D model ZLSP120 ZLSP150 ZLSP200 ZLSP230 ZLSP260 ZLSP300
Amount of oil(L) 1.8 2.1 5.3 4.7 8.2 7.0
ZLSP-R model ZLSP200 ZLSP300 ZLSP400  
Amount of oil(L) 4.4 15.7 24.0  

Small pellet mill lubrication tips

Check all these parts before you start a small pellet mill!

  • Make sure lubricating oil is added to gearbox and all bearings are properly lubricated before the initial operation.
  • Check and make sure each rotating part is well lubricated.
  • Lubricate the mill according to the following chart.
  • Diesel engine: Please read and follow Diesel Engine Manual Instruction.
  • Gasoline engine: Please read and follow Gasoline Engine Manual Instruction.
  • PTO: Lubricate bearings and splines with lithium base grease.

GEMCO provide quality pellet mills and plants. And we want to be helpful at the same time. If you're interested in our products, please leave us messages and get a quote. If you already have pellet mills, we are happy to solve your problems and also, we offer ISO spare parts. If there is any trouble you are experiencing and I haven't talked about, leave a message, I'll give answers in the FAQ in the following days.

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