Top 7 Signs Your Lubrication Process Needs an Upgrade

Maintaining equipment reliability is one of the crucial ways industrial companies achieve profitability and stay ahead of the competition. Although previously considered a minor maintenance job, lubrication is now recognized as a key player in reaching the bottom line of equipment reliability. If your company is still running with an outdated lubrication program, then it might be time to consider an upgrade. In this post, we’ll discuss the top signs of an outdated lubrication process and how Lubrication Management Software (LMS) like Redlist can help to address these signs and upgrade your process. 

1. Frequent Failures and Downtime 

The most telling sign that your lubrication program is failing is when your operation has high downtime due to frequent equipment failures. When a lubrication process is ineffective, it fails to minimize the wear and tear in machine components. As a result, these machines are more likely to break down, require repairs, and halt operations. If your facility is routinely experiencing unplanned downtime due to equipment failures, chances are your lubrication practices are not meeting your equipment needs. 

How Lubrication Management Software Helps Frequent Failures and Downtime: 

Software solutions like Redlist’s LMS digitize lubrication management, allowing you to monitor lubrication tasks in real-time. Thus, you can keep records of when a machine was lubricated, what type of lubricant was used, and when the next service is due. With this digitized and organized information database, you can ensure that all critical lubrication tasks are performed and nothing slips through the cracks, thus ensuring effective lubrication and equipment reliability.  

2. Inconsistent Processes 

When lubrication practices are not standardized, different operators or technicians can choose which steps to follow or omit. These inconsistencies will likely lead to some machines being over-lubricated and others under-lubricated, with both of these conditions resulting in machine damage and eventual failure over time. Thus, inconsistent lubrication processes lead to poor performance, waste of resources, and frequent maintenance issues. 

How Lubrication Management Software Helps Inconsistent Processes: 

An LMS provides a platform where you can create and enforce standard lubrication procedures for all your machinery, equipment, and other assets. A user-friendly platform like Redlist allows its users to access and view standard practices along with detailed workflow instructions, images, and videos. Thus, everyone can follow the same procedure, ensuring consistency and effective lubrication and preventing unnecessary waste in lubricants and other resources. 

3. Lack of Data and Reporting 

If your current lubrication process fails to provide accurate, real-time, and long-term trends on your lubrication processes, then it’s time you upgrade it. If you are still using paper checklists and manual spreadsheets, your current system is too slow to keep up with data demands. You need to upgrade to a system that can easily provide the essential data for analyzing the effectiveness of your lubrication program and making informed decisions about where to improve or how to allocate resources efficiently. Otherwise, your team will be operating in the dark, unsure of what’s working and what isn’t, and thus, will fail to achieve your bottom line. 

How Lubrication Management Software Helps Improve Data and Reporting: 

LMS digitizes lubrication data for faster analysis and reporting. Sophisticated LMS solutions like Redlist also come with advanced analytics that let you generate detailed reports that offer insights into your lubrication program’s performance. With LMS, you can track lubricant consumption, gather insight into machine health, and analyze maintenance intervals using real-time data for immediate and effective decision-making. LMS also makes it easier for you to share data with stakeholders, supporting the benefits of an effective lubrication program and justifying the investment in LMS. 

4. Underuse or Overuse of Lubricants 

Machinery and equipment manufacturers prescribe the ideal levels of lubricants for their products. If you are using above or below the recommended levels, you may be under or over-lubricating your machinery and equipment. Over-lubrication not only means wasting money on excess lubricants but also leads to machine inefficiency, contamination buildup, and eventual failure. Under-lubrication, on the other hand, leads to wear and tear, premature breakdowns, and short equipment lifespan. If you find that you are overspending on lubricants or your equipment isn’t running efficiently, it may indicate an imbalance in your lubrication practices. 

How Lubrication Management Software Helps Underuse or Overuse of Lubricants: 

LMS makes it easier to track lubricant usage and consumption trends. By having this visibility into your usage levels, you can optimize your lubrication intervals and ensure the correct amounts are applied each time. Thus, you can save on lubricant costs while minimizing failures and prolonging equipment lifespan. Some intuitive LMS products like Redlist can also be enabled to alert you when lubricant levels are near certain levels, prompting the automatic creation of purchase orders to prevent shortages. 

5. Reliance on Reactive Maintenance 

If the bulk of your maintenance tasks are reactive, i.e., fixing problems only when they occur, you rely heavily on reactive maintenance. Although reactive maintenance seems inexpensive, it leads to higher maintenance costs in the long run. It also results in higher downtime (because of frequent repairs) and shorter equipment lifespan. You should update your approach to a more cost-effective lubrication process that is proactive and predictive, preventing issues before they become costly problems. 

How Lubrication Management Software Helps Reduce Reliance on Reactive Maintenance: 

Lubrication Management Software digitizes and analyzes data to provide insights that help teams easily transition from reactive to proactive maintenance. LMS solutions like Redlist also allow you to set up alerts and reminders for lubrication tasks before they’re overdue. Thus, you prevent missing lubrication schedules and ensure that machines are always running smoothly. You can also integrate Redlist with real-time monitoring tools like vibration and oil condition sensors to collect data useful for predicting and preventing failures.  

6. Poor Communication 

Communication within the maintenance teams and with other departments is essential for an error-free and efficient lubrication process. If your team experiences missed lubrication tasks, redundant task executions, or delayed completions, then it’s time to consider upgrading your process. You need a centralized system for sharing information with everyone to prevent process bottlenecks and information silos. 

How Lubrication Management Software Helps Improve Communication: 

LMS provides a centralized platform for logging all lubrication-related activities and information that can be accessed by every team member. Whether it’s logging completed lubrication tasks, updating machine statuses, or assigning responsibilities, everyone stays on the same page. This improves communication and ensures that no task is missed. Some LMS solutions like Redlist have mobile access features, allowing members from different locations and in the field to communicate clearly and collaborate faster. 

7. Sustainability is Not a Priority 

Industries all over the world are prioritizing sustainability not only to meet regulatory requirements but also to reduce operational costs and improve their corporate reputation. If sustainability is not considered, your lubrication process will show this through excessive lubricant waste, high energy consumption, increased greenhouse gas emissions, use of non-eco-friendly lubricants, and improper lubricant disposal. By updating your lubrication in a more sustainable direction, you can reduce waste, optimize energy consumption, limit emissions, and enhance your company's long-term profitability and reputation. 

How Lubrication Management Software Helps: 

You can use LMS to optimize your lubrication practices, minimizing waste and reducing energy consumption. Redlist LMS can further improve your sustainability compliance through real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and detailed reporting. Through these features, you can ensure that your lubrication practices align with modern sustainability goals, driving both operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. 

Time to Upgrade with Redlist 

If any of these signs are all too familiar and a constant in your organization, then maybe it’s time to upgrade to Redlist. With Redlist’s Lubrication Management Software’s real-time data, standardization, and predictive maintenance capabilities, you can ensure that your lubrication practices are efficient, consistent, and data-driven. Thus, you can lead your team toward less downtime, lower costs, and longer equipment life. Leverage the power of modern tools to upgrade to a better lubrication process. Schedule your free Redlist demo today!