A Brazilian Farmer’s Battle with High-Temperature Failure in Machinery Bearings

During the busy harvest in Brazil’s hot weather, machines can break down fast. Bearings are very important in farming, especially when it gets very hot. High-Temperature Failure can cause a lot of damage. One farmer in Brazil had this problem. TFL came to check the failure and see what happened. Readers should think about how heat and oil problems could hurt their own machines.

Key Takeaways

• Too much heat and using the wrong grease make bearings break fast. This causes machines to stop working during harvest, which costs a lot. Farmers need to look for early signs of trouble. These signs are weird sounds, shaking, and hot bearings. Finding problems early stops machines from breaking down. Using strong bearings made from chrome steel helps machines work longer. Special greases made for heat also help. Farmers should check, clean, and grease bearings often. This keeps bearings safe and machines working well. Getting help from experts like TFL is smart. Experts help farmers choose the best bearings and grease for hot, hard farm work.

Case Overview

Farm and Machinery Background

A Brazilian farmer runs a medium-sized farm in the Cerrado. The farm is about 60.5 hectares, which is normal for Brazil. The farmer uses modern machines to plant and harvest crops. Most machines are 2-wheel drive tractors with 50-100 HP. John Deere and New Holland are popular brands on this farm. Some tractors have GPS to help with planting and harvesting. Tractors are worth about 70% of all the equipment here. The farmer works in high heat and has a lot to do during harvest. These things make bearings work harder in every machine.

Note: Big farms in Brazil use advanced machines to compete worldwide. Machines help farmers work large fields and finish harvests on time.

Common Bearings in Agricultural Equipment

Bearings are very important in farm machines. The farmer uses different bearings to keep machines working well. UCP205 bearings are easy to put in and handle dust and shaking. Deep groove ball bearings like the 6205 are good for pumps and power shafts. Tapered roller bearings such as 30206 are strong for heavy loads and hard jobs. These bearings help machines work in tough fields. TFL knows which bearing is best for each job. Good bearings stop machines from breaking and protect them during harvest.

High-Temperature Failure in Bearings

Causes of High-Temperature Failure

High-temperature failure in bearings often starts when the lubricant breaks down quickly. In Brazil’s hot weather, lubricants stop working well much sooner. When it gets too hot, the oil can dry up, lose its helpful parts, and change because of the heat. This makes the grease hard and less able to protect the metal. Then, more rubbing and damage happen, and bearings can break early. Fast-moving machines and shaking make this worse. They mix up the lubricant and cause it to wear out even faster.

Some common things cause high-temperature failure in bearings:

• If you use the wrong grease or not enough, the metal parts rub together and wear out.
• Dirt, dust, or water in the lubricant brings in rough bits that scratch the bearing and make it wear out faster.
• If the bearing is not lined up right, the rings move and the rolling path changes. This puts too much pressure in some spots and makes the bearing get stuck and hot.
• Too much weight, especially from the side, puts extra stress on the bearing. This makes it hotter and shortens how long it lasts.
• Picking the wrong bearing means it might not handle the heat or the heavy loads, so it wears out faster.

Tip: Always pick lubricants made for hot places and check them often to keep out dirt and stop them from breaking down.

TFL’s technical team says to use bearings made from strong materials and special lubricants, like synthetic greases with polyurea thickeners. These can handle a lot of heat and still protect the bearings during busy harvests. Greasing the bearings at the right times, based on how fast and hard the machines work, helps them last longer and keeps them from failing in the heat.

Impact on Machinery Performance

When bearings fail from too much heat, machines do not work well during harvest. If a bearing breaks, the machine stops, and this causes delays and lost work. In the field, broken bearings can also make it hard for harvesters to move, so they cannot work as they should. This means the job stops and crops might not get picked in time.

Heat and heavy loads wear out bearings and make them break down. This leads to more time fixing machines and more repairs. Farmers may not want to use their machines if they keep breaking, so they get less done. Good bearings are needed to handle heavy work and tough fields. Without the right grease and strong materials, bearings cannot last through the harvest.

Here is a table that shows the main problems caused by high-temperature failure in bearings:

Note: Using the right bearings for heavy loads and keeping them greased helps protect machines from too much heat and damage.

Warning Signs of Bearing Failure

Early Signs of Bearing Failure

Farmers can spot signs before bearings break. Machines might make strange sounds like grinding or squealing. These noises mean something is wrong inside the bearing. If a machine shakes or feels rough, the bearings may be damaged. Heat is another clue. If a bearing feels much hotter than usual, it could fail soon. Sometimes, you can see cracks or color changes on the bearing. Problems with grease, like dryness or leaks, also show trouble. Machines may slow down or not work as well. Rust can show up if water gets in. Loose or crooked bearings wear out faster. Dirt or debris can block smooth movement and cause early failure.

Tip: Check for these signs often to stop big problems during harvest.

Diagnosing the Problem

Careful checks help find bearing problems early. The farmer in this story used many steps to find the issue. First, he listened for odd sounds and felt for shaking while the machine ran. He used a small infrared thermometer to check the bearing’s heat. High heat meant there was a problem. He looked for cracks or color changes on the bearing. He checked the grease for dirt or if it was old. For more details, he used portable vibration analyzers. These tools measure how much the machine shakes. Vibration checks can find problems before machines slow down. Using an infrared camera can show hot spots from friction or bad alignment. Grease tests can show if there are metal bits or dirt inside. Regular checks and these tools help farmers fix problems early and keep machines working well.

Lubrication and Solution Strategies

Lubrication Upgrades

Good lubrication is very important for bearings during harvest. Brazil is hot, so picking the right grease matters a lot. Farmers should use high-temperature greases with special thickeners like complex soaps, sulphonate, or polyurea. These greases work well above 130°C and protect even when machines are heavy. Polyurea greases last much longer than regular lithium greases. They also stop grease from breaking down in heat. Calcium sulfonate greases help stop rust and handle strong pressure. Synthetic base oils help grease stay strong in heat and make bearings last longer. Farmers need to check grease often and change it based on how hot and busy the machine is.

Bearing Replacement and Material Choices

When bearings break, farmers must fix or replace them fast. Using better materials for new bearings helps stop more problems. TFL says chrome steel and stainless steel are good because they are hard and do not rust. Thrust needle roller bearings and needle roller bearings are strong for heavy jobs in the field. Ceramics like silicon carbide or silicon nitride do not wear out fast and can take a lot of heat. Composite materials like carbon fiber reinforced polyimides are strong and stable. Farmers should pick bearings that fit the machine’s needs for weight and heat. The right axial and needle roller bearings help machines work well and stop long delays.

Preventive Measures

Regular care helps bearings last longer. Farmers should clean machines to get rid of dust and mud. They need to look for rust, cracks, or rough spots on bearings. Good grease keeps bearings from getting too hot. Sealed bearings keep out water and dirt. Changing bearings early stops big problems. Using strong materials like stainless steel or chrome steel makes machines more reliable. Listening for grinding, feeling for shaking, or checking for heat helps find trouble early. TFL says oil-air lubrication is good for keeping bearings cool in hot places. These steps help bearings last and keep machines working during harvest.

Tip: Doing regular checks and using the right grease are the best ways to keep bearings safe and stop them from failing.

When bearings get too hot, farm machines can stop working. This can make farmers lose a lot of money. The farmer noticed the problem early by checking for heat, strange sounds, and shaking. TFL gave help by using better bearings and the right kind of grease. Using good grease and picking the best bearings helps machines work well.

Doing regular checks and getting help from experts keeps machines safe from expensive problems.

Tips for farmers:

• Check bearings often for heat or strange sounds.
• Pick grease that works in high heat.
• Change old bearings fast.
• Talk to TFL if you have hard bearing problems.

FAQ

What are the most common signs of bearing failure in farm machinery?

Farmers might hear loud sounds or feel more shaking. The area near the bearing can get very hot. Machines may slow down or even stop. Grease might leak out or change color. These things show there is a problem.

How often should farmers check and lubricate bearings during harvest?

Farmers need to look at and grease bearings every week when they are busy. Hot weather and hard work mean more checks are needed. Taking care of bearings often stops machines from breaking down.

Which type of grease works best for high-temperature environments?

Polyurea-based or calcium sulfonate greases work well in heat. These greases do not break down fast and keep bearings safe. Synthetic oils also help bearings last longer in tough places.

Can TFL help select the right bearing for specific farm equipment?

TFL gives expert help to pick the best bearing. Their team finds the right type and material for each machine. Farmers can ask TFL for special answers and help with problems.

What steps can farmers take to prevent bearing failure in hot climates?

Farmers should use good grease, pick strong bearings, and clean machines a lot. Checking for noise, heat, or shaking helps find trouble early. TFL says to do regular care and use sealed bearings for more safety.