Ross Box Lube

Perhaps reading the FSM and doing what it sez might be a good start. This ain't rocket science

(or maybe it is. . . )

 

Definately a Kodak moment!!

 

Put a crowbar in your wallet and get one. And while I'm telling you what to do, . . . PICK UP YOUR C-FONE!! Been trying all day to call you.

 

nah i need video of that, that would be much funnier.

 

I could follow that up with the first time i tried to pull the rear axle flanges.. had the huge puller at max torque with my torch on it.. i let it sit there with thte torch propped on a bucket to keep heating.. (mind you this was a little propane torch).. I walke away and BANG! Scared thecrap out of me I thought the dang torch exploded! I ran back around the corner and there is the puller sticking through the wall of my shop and a smoking hub on the floor.. It launched so hard it knocked a hole in the wall (concrete block).. It was kinda funny and scary all at the same time.. I felt kinda dumb after that for not tethering the thing someho9w but I never expected it to come off with cannonball force..

BUBBA

 

Maybe he should have stuck the Ross box mix into the gas tank. R)

 

I use STP in the ross box. made BIG difference in steering effort. dad says thats what he used back when he ran the dunes (before they were a national park here) years ago.

 

sounds good, I'm gonna try it. Thanks

 

I laughed so hard when I read this I had to share it with my wife (she is the L in BDL67) but really what is the correct lube. I used gear oil but in my haynes manual it said to use lithium base chassis lube what is that , just lithium grease?

 

NOOOOOOOO! DO not use STP unless you are going to change the oild every 6 months or so.. back a few years ago STP changes to formula to be compatible with new motor oil standards, especially to increase it's emulsibility.. I mean make it soak up water like a sponge, Yup it will actually absorb moisture out of the air. I ruined 2000 gallons of turbine oil once.. (don't ask).. Read this.. and don't ask where I got it.. it's a super secret westinghouse document..

Subject: FIELD BULLETIN - TURBINE OIL WATER DEMULSIBILITY
Mail Id: IPM-1048-940802-104431100

The automotive oil additive, STP, has been used as a temporary lubricant for turbine bearings as a standard practice for years. Very small quantities of STP mixed with turbine oil destroys the ability of the lube oil to demulsify water. This allows high quantities of water to emulsify in the lube oil and circulate throughout the system. With this in mind, it is recommended that STP should not be used as a temporary lubricant for turbine overhauls. A higher viscosity circulating mineral oil should be used for this application.

Turbine oil is made from high quality base stock which is formulated to promote high water demulsibility. Small amounts of additives are added to increase oxidation resistance, inhibit rusting, and prevent excessive foaming and air entrapment. Automotive engine oils are made to emulsify water.

After a utility witnessed a cream colored water-oil emulsion in a large steam turbine generator oil system, three possible causes were analyzed to see what produced the poor turbine oil demulsibility. The effects of chemicals found in boiler feed water, in service oil which was partially used during turbine maintenance and reassembly were evaluated.

Both boiler feed water and distilled water were mixed with new turbine oil and tested per ASTM D1401. The results were acceptable and the demulsibility was the same with both types of water.

In service (oxidized) turbine oil from an air compressor that was rebuilt with no special assembly lubricants was tested per ASTM D1401 and the results showed no significant difference between the new and the used oil.

New turbine oil was contaminated with 10W30 engine oil and STP and tested per ASTM D1401. Up to 75% of the water was retained as an emulsion compared to essentially no emulsion (<0.5%) with uncontaminated turbine oil. Contaminant concentrations as low as 100 parts per million effected demulsibility while concentrations between 100 and 300 parts per million essentially destroyed turbine oil’s ability to shed water. This contaminant concentration level translates to only 4 to 5 quarts of either (or any combination of the two) in a 10,000 gallon reservoir. Most oil manufacturers do not recommend the addition of any additives including those similar to what is found in engine oil or STP.

STP was reformulated several years ago to respond to changing engine lubrication requirements. The new formula is extremely detrimental to turbine oil demulsibility where the original blend was not.

Suggested alternatives are:

Higher viscosity (ISO Viscosity Grade 220) turbine circulating oils which are from the same family of lubricants. Turbine oils with anti-wear additives, paper machine oils, and gear lubricants with either anti-wear or extreme pressure additives should NOT be used.

The following are acceptable lubricants:

Mobil DTE Oil BB ISO VG 220
Texaco Regal Oil R&O 220 ISO VG 220
Exxon Tressic Grade 220 ISO VG 220

Mobil, Texaco, and Exxon all have ISO VG 320 and 460 oils if a higher viscosity is desired.

If the turbine generator has individual bearing lift systems, a tee connection can be added between the pump discharge check valve and the bearing inlet check valve. This connection can then be attached to a hydraulic “Porta-Power” unit filled with turbine oil. This will act as a temporary bearing lift device and negate the need for heavy assembly lubricant. The added tee must be securely capped to prevent ail leakage during normal service. Refer to drawing 754J180 sub 11 and 4773D55 sub 2 for details.


Rich Martin John Mellers
PGPD Plant Fluid Systems PGTD Monitoring, Diagnostics, &
Auxiliary Systems Service Engineering


FB0108


BUBBA

 

Forgive my limited understanding of turbine lubrication, but I don't see the connection here. on the technology scale, the ross box is just this side of a rock and stick. nothing moves quickly in there or constantly in one direction. you do have incredibly high gear tooth loading (especially with larger tires). Thicker oil that will adhere to the tooth surface is the goal.

if moisture gets into the box, where would be the best place for it?

if it is emulsified into the oil, you run the risk of minor rusting of all parts of the box over time, leading to box failure.

If the moisture is not emulsified into the oil, it gathers at the lowest spot in the box where it quietly eats your lower bearing, leading to box failure.

seems that changing the oil in the box once in a while is not a bad idea.

$.02

 

Gotta love that analogy.

 

no real point i guess just that you would be better off with a 140WT gear oil or something like that that will not pull moisture out of the air. besides you want something that flows a little but so it will make it through the outer bushing lube hole.. I guess the STP would work but I would not use it.. haha I am gunshy with stp anyhow.. I blew up a 2.3 ford when i got carried away with teh stp and i ruined 2000 gallons of lube oil with it so i just stay away..


BUBBA

 

unless you are looking for an excuse to have saginaw steering...........