Greetings,
I am looking for advice, or a good source of advice, on a specific topic. I work at the Slater Mill Historic Site in Pawtucket RI where we have a Mid-breast waterwheel of wooden construction with cast-iron gears. The perimeter gear of this wheels sees heavy exposure to water. In the past we have used Texclad 2, a lubricant commonly used on the fifth wheel of tractor trailers. This lubricant was chosen years ago because of its water-resistance. I am looking for new enviromentally friendly lubricants that are also water-resistant. After talking to a local lubricant retailer, food-grade ChevronTexaco Cygnus CSC EP 2 and FM CSC EP 2 were suggested. Is this a good choice? Are there other options out there that I should compare the CSC lubricants to?

many thanks,
Slater Mill staff

Do these gears actually go in the water? I can understand wanting a environmentally friendly lube if they go into water. If (as I suspect) they are inside the mill and not exposed going through the water directly I wouldn't worry to much about a eco lube. You might consider using a grease that is specifically designed for exposed gears. Something like Takilube or Special Exposed Gear Grease. Both are very adhesive in nature and highly resistant to being slung off or dripping off.

micbial,
The gear's teeth, as they make their arc, aren't actually submerged under water. But when at the bottom of the wheel the teeth are a few inches above the level of the water.

The Special Exposed Gear Grease would work great in that application. It's a NGLI #3 1/2 and very, very cohesive and would resist sling off.

Hi Slater,

If you want to have an economical, precise, reliable, safe from falling into the water and free yourself from frequent lubrication pls visit this site www.memolub.be , there are pictures on open gears application. It can be remotely install 8 meters away from the gear.

Regards,

Danny

Try SE-100 Grease from www.stewardenterprise.com its a calcium sulfonate grease and its WATERPROOF. ask for james steward. 800-569-6845 call 920-327-3069

Slater Mill Staff

There is a grease, a synthetic, 100% waterproof, Food grade, and of all things "Kosher", made by Huskit Corp. Used in 85% of the hydro-Electric facilities in the U.S. The grease is called LVI-50. Clear non-Staining.
Here is thier website.
http://www.speclubes.com

This is the real deal on waterproof. Not resistant, but actually PROOF! See what you think.

The LE 4025 H1 grease has been in operation in a large water wheel in GA for 2o plus years..


James Ackley
j.ackley@le-inc.com
ICML MLT 1 Certified
Regional Manager
Lubrication Engineers Inc.
cell 469-231-2566