Concrete Mixer Ring Gear

[Shannow]

Not quite the right place for it, but there's not really a right place.

Got a Concrete mixer yesterday, as a cheapy is about equivalent of 3 days hire...and I can drag yard work out.

Wondering what the concensus is on ring gear lube...leaning towards Mobiltac, or wire rope lube, not really keen on having sticky wet grease around the place like many I've seen.

 

[MolaKule]

I would go with wire rope lube or Bar and Chain oil.

 

[expat]

Don't bother.

Those ain't precision gears, never seen one wear out, but you don't want sand or gravel clinging to the ring gear.

Just wash it down after use. WD40 will help prevent rust.

 

[MolaKule]

Originally Posted By: expat
Don't bother.

Those ain't precision gears, never seen one wear out, but you don't want sand or gravel clinging to the ring gear.

Just wash it down after use. WD40 will help prevent rust.


Yes, but think of the immense forces on those gear teeth!

 

[Shannow]

What's the point of being on BITOG if there's a place that CAN be lubricated, and we don't have a discussion on it ?

expat, looking at the contact witness marks on the paint, the gear design is very sub-optimal (but as you point out, very appropriate and long lived for the purpose).

How High a VI do I need ???

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
What's the point of being on BITOG if there's a place that CAN be lubricated, and we don't have a discussion on it ?

expat, looking at the contact witness marks on the paint, the gear design is very sub-optimal (but as you point out, very appropriate and long lived for the purpose).

How High a VI do I need ???


Well if considering those cold winters down under I suggest a high vi lube.

 

[spasm3]

I would use and oil not a grease, as others have stated it would hold grit. Perhaps a good use for mmo? Heck even used motor oil would work, probably less of an environmental contaminate than gear oil would be. ( maybe used G oil ? )

 

[MolaKule]

Quote:
What's the point of being on BITOG if there's a place that CAN be lubricated, and we don't have a discussion on it ?



Datgumm right there, mate!

Quote:
How High a VI do I need ???


Seeing you're down under, a reverse polarity lube with a 500 VI wouldn't hurt.

 

[tom slick]

Moly dry lube would be the way to go.

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted By: tom slick
Moly dry lube would be the way to go.


Don't inhale any of it!

 

[scurvy]

Most concrete mixer ring gear wear occurs at startup... be sure you run it long enough to burn off any accumulated aggregate or cottonwood tufts!

 

[GreeCguy]

Use used cooking oil. It will stick better than regular oil and smell like French fries.

 

[expat]

How about Dry Graphite then?
Or Lanolin?

Personally, if ever I do buy a mixer, it will be the sealed gear, direct drive type. So much quieter.

Are you adding Fly ash to the mix?

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: expat
Are you adding Fly ash to the mix?


Does the Pope wear a dress ?

Yep, most certainly...have some rammed earth style test pieces with nearly 30% fly ash sitting to see how they will look/work for retaining walls etc., and a test piece of traditional poured with 20% aggregate replacement.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Quote:
How High a VI do I need ???


Seeing you're down under, a reverse polarity lube with a 500 VI wouldn't hurt.

The lube that the ring gear was packed with has a weirdly high viscosity index, being thicker at 100C than at 40C, but strangely ineffective as a gear lube....hmmm.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
Originally Posted By: expat
Are you adding Fly ash to the mix?


Does the Pope wear a dress ?

Yep, most certainly...have some rammed earth style test pieces with nearly 30% fly ash sitting to see how they will look/work for retaining walls etc., and a test piece of traditional poured with 20% aggregate replacement.


Doing a little footing today that I didn't know needed doing until I pulled out some old brickwork...3 20Kg bags of premix.

Added 2.5Kg of flyash, 0.5Kg of hydrated lime, with the intent of adding some washing soda and going for a two stage set-up (normal cement reaction, and a later geopolymer ractio)...was a little sloppy...until I added 200ish grammes of sodium carbonate. Wham, it started to stiffen really quick.