Progressive Systems: What to Know

Series progressive lubrication systems provide a reliable and efficient way to lubricate machinery. By centralizing all grease points, the amount of time spent manually lubricating equipment is greatly reduced. Progressive lubrication systems play a large role in ensuring vital components in your equipment are operating at optimal performance; eliminating downtime caused by machinery malfunction due to improper lubrication.

Let's discuss what series progressive lubrication systems are, how they work, and how they can benefit you and your operation:

1. Series Progressive Basics
2. How Does a Series Progressive System Work?
3. Benefits of Series Progressive Lubrication
4. Progressive System Custom Capabilities

Series Progressive Basics

Progressive systems are designed to provide the right amount of lubrication at the right time for moving parts to ensure the machine works efficiently. When looking at these systems, there are a few basics you will want to know about.

Here are the basics:

1. Pump: There are a variety of different pump options. From Electric, Hydraulic, Pneumatic, Gear Driven, and Manual; pumps are used to push oil/grease through a series progressive system. Pumps will typically be equipped with a pressure gauge and some form of timer/controller. Some of these pumps are equipped with a rotating paddle, and or follower plates depending on the manufacturer, and the temperature/consistency of the lubricant being used.

2. Reservoir: There are also many different sized reservoirs available depending on the amount of lubrication your system requires and how often you want to refill between scheduled maintenance intervals. These reservoirs typically sit on top of the pump and utilize the rotating paddle to keep lubrication properly mixed and viscous.

3. Metering Valves: Metering valves are the devices used to disperse a precise amount of lubricant to a specific lubrication point based on the manufacturer recommendations. These are often referred to as Divider Blocks or Divider Valves. These blocks can come with up to 22 outlets and each outlet is metered to disperse an exact amount of grease with each stroke.

4. Monitoring: There may be a monitoring system equipped to alert operators of issues with the lubrication system such as low-level lubricant alarm, indicator pins, pressure and pressure relief valves. Being these are progressive systems, a single blockage with lock down your entire system. In the event of a blockage at any one point, you will see lubricant at the pressure relief valve which is to alert personnel to manually feed the lines via the central grease fitting.

Now that we know the basics of the series progressive lubrication system, let's take a deeper look at how these parts work together.

How does a Series Progressive system work?

A series progressive lubricator begins its operation at the pump, where a timer signal determines the amount of pressure to be applied. This pressure then sends the grease out of the reservoir and down to the divider block where it is divided and directed toward the points in need of lubrication through the feeding lines. 

To ensure the points are getting greased in a timely manner, it's necessary to test the pump before allowing it to run steadily. Having a knowledgeable technician is important when setting up this lubrication system. The top of the line gets the most pressure and grease; and as it goes through the divider blocks, pressure and amount of grease decreases.

The divider blocks are the main metering system. By having these set up correctly - equipment and machinery will run seamlessly with regular maintenance.

Put the "series" in Series Progressive System

The metering valves, or divider blocks, are custom-fitted to allow a precise amount of lubricant to flow through a “series” of channels in the block. Inside the block, there are pistons moving from left to right in a specific order for the proper amount to be dispersed through the fittings, directly to the lubrication point.

This is what happens when the system is running:

1. Lubricant is forced out of the reservoir and flows into metering blocks.
2. The flow of oil/grease actuates an internal series of pistons inside each block.
3. The right side of the first piston actuates; allowing lubricant to pass through.
4. Lubricant continues down the block through each piston, and then restarts back at the top every cycle.

Benefits of Series Progressive Lubrication

Knowing how the mechanics of a series progressive system works is imperative. Now that we understand the basics, let’s review the benefits of using a progressive series lubrication system:

• Customizable: Series progressive systems can be fitted for a variety of applications, machines, and equipment.
• Consistent Lubrication: The divider blocks deliver grease to each point precisely and consistently.
• Easy Maintenance: Besides filling the reservoir, and ensuring divider blocks are functioning properly, there is little to no maintenance required.
• Mount Anywhere: With mounting plates available, these systems can be mounted virtually anywhere, on mobile or stagnant applications.

There are a variety of applications for progressive lubrication systems.

Progressive System Custom Capabilities

Series progressive lubrication systems are designed to be placed where you need them. Due to their versatility, there are a variety of industries and applications they can be installed for, including:

• On-Road Vehicles
• Off-Road Equipment
• Construction Equipment
• Wind Turbine generators
• Agricultural machinery
• Foraging equipment
• Forestry Equipment
• Asphalt Machinery
• Mining Equipment
• Material Handling
• In-Plant Solutions
• Food & Beverage
• Oil & Gas

If you need it, we can make it. Our progressive lubrication systems can be configured for most applications in the above industries; and for more unique applications. Series progressive systems are the answer when needing a consistent, reliable system with little maintenance required.

We have been involved in the automatic lubrication industry for 40+ years, and our experts are ready to answer your questions, offer solutions, and elevate your business with our custom system capabilities. Lower your maintenance costs, increase your ROI, and reduce downtime with a LubeMinder Automatic Lubrication System.