SKF develops compact grease cartridge pump
SKF, based in Gothenburg, Sweden, has developed a compact cartridge pump that provides effective lubrication to applications such as small agricultural and construction machinery.
The pump, called AECP which stands for Automatic Electric Cartridge Pump, automatically lubricates up to 22 lubrication points making it more time and cost-effective than manual methods.
This product is ready for sale in North America. SKF said the product will be available globally in the coming months.”Using standard grease tubes makes refilling an auto-lube system as easy as refilling a grease gun,” said Jordan Butler, product line manager, Lubrication, at SKF. “This saves operator time and automates a time-consuming maintenance task.”
Typical applications include dozers, loaders and farm machinery such as balers and municipal equipment. This type of machinery is typically lubricated manually which has many downsides. For instance, it is time-consuming, and the cost of repairs is picked up by the equipment rental fleet owner. The system is also more straightforward for the end-user and keeps both grease and the machine clean. OEMs are likely to see a reduction in warranty claims over traditional manual greasing methods, SKF said.
Other benefits include increased equipment availability and reliability; simpler maintenance; lower cost of maintenance and spare parts; and easier retrofitting.
The AECP requires no special refilling tool or equipment. Grease is stored in standard grease cartridges making it easy to swap out and prime while the motor and pump elements pull grease in a metered way. The use of cartridges also allows for a wide range of lubricants. It also fits into tight spaces and can withstand harsh working conditions and environments.
The pump can be used to create a small progressive lubrication system when combined with SSV progressive metering devices. SSV progressive metering devices are piston-type metering devices which reliably dispense the lubricant volume fed to the inlet in predetermined single quantities. A built-in sensor gives early warning that a cartridge needs replacing. For more advanced monitoring options, the AECP can be operated with a controller.
