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Had a guy in a 1960s Otis tell me I was greasing it wrong for years | Elevator Mechanics - Hub Chatter

Had a guy in a 1960s Otis tell me I was greasing it wrong for years

I was pumping way too much oil into the guide rails on a service call last Tuesday and this old timer just stood there and watched me for a minute. He said I was gunking up the vane with all that extra oil and I'd been doing it the same way for 5 years. Anyone else get a tip from an older mechanic that just flipped everything upside down?

3 comments

3 Comments

laura2114mo ago

Wait, so you're saying less oil is actually better for the guide rails? I gotta push back on that a bit because I've been running the same route for years and never had a problem with gunking up the vanes. Maybe your old timer was just set in his ways, you know? Those older guys learned a different way and they swear by it, but times change and so does the equipment. I've seen systems that ran smooth for decades with a heavy oil coat because the rails get worn in and actually need that extra lubrication to stay quiet. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? I'd rather see a little extra oil than have a car stick halfway down a shaft because someone skimped on the grease.

tessacarter4mo ago

Bringing up what nobody is saying here: the type of oil matters way more than the amount. You guys are arguing over how much to use but nobody mentioned that mineral oils break down different than synthetics in older guide rail systems. I had a 1999 Schindler that was a nightmare until I switched to a food grade synthetic lube. Thinner film but way better staying power because it doesn't gum up when the dust and debris mix in over time. Has anyone else tried changing the actual oil type instead of just cutting back on the amount you're putting on?

perez.barbara4mo ago

laura211 I get where you're coming from, but my old 2007 Otis actually started getting sluggish until I pulled way back on the oil. Once I cut my lube to just a thin film it ran quieter and the safety switches stopped sticking every few months. Maybe your setup is different though, what kind of rollers are you running on those cars?

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