Improve safety and maintenance by using the correct tools

Bearings eventually reach the end of their service life and will normally be replaced. Although the bearing may not need protecting, it is important to ensure the service life of the replacement bearing is not compromised. The use of proper mounting and dismounting tools will help prevent damage to other machine components which are often re-used, and secondly, incorrect techniques can be hazardous to maintenance personnel.

Mounting tools

Mounting and dismounting of most bearings is achieved through using heat or mechanical force applied to the bearing. During this process the risk of damage or accidents can be much higher without the use of proper tools or maintenance practices due to the high forces, pressures or temperatures required.

The SKF Bearing Fitting Tool Kit TMFT 36 is designed for quick and precise mounting of bearings without heat for bore diameters from 10 to 55 mm, while minimising the risk of bearing damage. The right combination of impact ring and sleeve allows effective transmission of mounting force to the bearing ring with the interference fit, minimising the risk of damaging the bearing’s raceways or rolling elements.

Dismounting tools

During the bearing removal process, some bearings can require significant force to remove them from shafts and most pullers have several components to be all positioned at the same time for a secure fit to avoid accidents.

Equipped with spring-operated arms and a solid design, the patented SKF EasyPull is one of the most user-friendly and safe tools on the market. Ergonomically designed, the spring-operated arms enable the user to position the puller behind the component with just one movement. The SKF EasyPull is available in mechanical and hydraulically assisted versions, as well as complete kits with a tri-section pulling plate and a puller protection blanket for added safety.

Contactless temperature

Knowing the temperature of equipment is important in condition monitoring as well as possible safety concerns. Infrared thermometers are portable, lightweight instruments for safely measuring temperature at a distance. The SKF range of infrared thermometers is extremely user-friendly; simply aim and pull the trigger and the temperature is shown on the display. These robust instruments are equipped with a back-lit display and laser sighting. Fitted with a bright LED illuminator allows the application object to be seen even in poorly lit environments.

Alternatively using an SKF Thermal camera is a proactive way to help you detect problems before they occur, increasing uptime and improving safety. They allow you to be able to visualise potential problems, invisible to the naked eye, by presenting a picture of the heat distribution of an asset. The thermal image, presented on a large LCD screen, shows you where the temperature is either too hot or too cold allowing you to pinpoint potential problems fast.

Grease meters

Grease is a common lubrication type used in industry and is very effective. Relubrication of bearings can be important to extend service life, however purging grease can result leakage, spills or environmental hazards. It is generally difficult to supply an accurate quantity of grease when manually lubricating bearings.

Developed to maximise efficiency, the SKF Battery Driven Grease Gun TLGB 20 includes an integrated grease meter to help prevent over- and under-lubrication. This unique tool features a durable, ergonomic design with a three-point stand for operator comfort and convenience and a 20-volt, lithium-ion battery for longer life. Suitable for a variety of manual lubrication tasks, the TLGB 20 can be used to lubricate bearings and machines in industrial and manufacturing environments, as well as agricultural and construction vehicles.

SKF Maintenance Products have solutions for every stage of the bearing life cycle to help maximise service life, productivity and efficiency.

Details, customerservice.nz@skf.com or www.mapro.skf.com