Shell Tactic EMV Single-Point Lubricators

There are many different single point lubricators on the market, many of them gas powered. There are four key reasons why electro-mechanical lubricators like Shell Tactic EMV units should be preferred over gas units.

1. No gas in a unit means improved reliability.

Electro-mechanical lubricators like Shell Tactic EMV do not rely on gas generation.

This means that for Shell Tactic EMV, grease dispensing begins when the lubricator is turned on – there is no waiting for pressure build-up.

Also for a product like Shell Tactic EMV the greasing rate is independent of temperature – this is a major shortfall of gas units which are affected by ambient temperature around the unit.

Finally, in a product like Tactic, grease is not subject to long periods of exposure to pressure – this means that the grease does not suffer from possible hardening or oil bleed.

2. Variable and Precise Control for Greasing Rates 

Some gas units do not have variable settings. In contrast, Shell Tactic EMV can be set to 1, 3, 6 or 12 months via simple to use dipswitches, which need only be set once. Some gas units are also variable but the 6-month and 12-month setting can be unreliable.

Shell Tactic EMV delivers grease at programmed intervals. It also introduces the option of electric motor bearing lubrication via a 12 month setting for a 120cc canister size, something that typically cannot be reliably achieved with a gas unit.

3. The ability to remote mount units

A major advantage of Tactic EMV is the ability to remote mount units up to 3 metres away from the lubrication point. This cannot be achieved with gas units.

This means that hazardous and difficult to reach grease points can be lubricated safely and easily and that units can be grouped together to facilitate easy inspection.

4. Programmed Control

Shell Tactic EMV has bright LEDs (green and red) to indicate operational status – most gas units do not.

And, Shell Tactic EMV has a self-protection mechanism, which indicates if the unit cannot pump grease – no gas units have this feature.

Single point lubricators must be properly installed to ensure long-term correct operation and sensible positioning for the purposes of safe inspection and servicing. Correct installation is easy to get right but also easy to get wrong. The following page contains some basic guidelines for installing Tactic lubricators.

Please note that there is a multitude of potential applications for lubricators such as Shell Tactic EMV. Shell has prepared this website as a guide only, to assist you in the correct utilisation of Shell Tactic EMV. These guidelines should not be regarded as authoritative for all machinery, in all circumstances.

The choice between direct or remote mounting is important. The determining factors for your decision will relate to:

• Access for ease of inspection and safety.
• Protection from damage due to vibration, extreme temperatures, excessive exposure to water and process materials etc.
  

Remote Mounting Checklist

If you answer YES to any of the questions listed below, remote mounting is recommended.

• Is the bearing housing subject to high vibration?
• Is it difficult or unsafe to access the bearing while machinery is running?
• Is the lubrication point exposed to (a) high-pressure jets of water from pressure cleaning,(b) chemicals that may be corrosive or (c) to the physical impact of solid material such as process ore and paper pulp? (Shell Tactic EMV is rated to IP 65.)
• Do protective gates, panels or guards have to be removed in order to access the bearing?
• Is the ambient temperature at the bearing greater than 50ºC?

Why is bearing lubrication important?

To understand the benefits of an automatic lubrication solution, you first need to appreciate the importance of bearing lubrication…

Important Facts

• More than 50% of all greased bearings fail due to lubricant starvation or contamination
• Less than 10% of all bearings actually reach their rated fatigue life prior to failure

Poor bearing lubrication can lead to rapid failure of bearings and associated equipment. For example, a pulley bearing failure on a critical conveyor system will not only destroy the bearing but may damage the pulley shaft and conveyor belt, not to mention the impact of downtime.

Poor lubrication can mean that a bearing will not receive enough fresh grease in order to prevent metal-to-metal contact of bearing elements and subsequent wear. In addition, because grease acts as a sealing agent for many bearings, poor lubrication can also allow the entry of contaminants such as water and dirt into a bearing.

Advantages of Continuous Lubrication

The effectiveness of manual lubrication is limited by the frequency of lubrication and common problems associated with the inconsistency of site greasing practices. The longer the relubrication interval, the greater the risk of bearing failure due to inadequate lubrication or contamination. Shell Tactic EMV delivers precise programmed amounts of grease direct to the bearing. Rates can be scheduled for 1, 3, 6 or 12 month intervals via dipswitches and this ensures a consistent lubrication rate over time without intervention.

Shell Tactic EMV lubricators are only filled with quality Shell greases. With Shell Tactic, you get quality Shell grease every time…