Top 4 Reasons for not choosing the cheapest lubricants

Price seems to be the determining factor in choosing lubricants for many people. So, we discuss the issues with not seeing past the initial number on the tag! It's important to know how you can recognise a quality lubricant with the price being out of the picture. In this blog, we give you the rundown on this too.

Performance

Do you want your machine to run at its ultimate efficiency? This is where the lubrication side is so vital. With a decent oil or grease, your equipment is much more likely to fulfil the expectations you have set it out to perform. Settling for a lower grade lubrication option can increase the risks of damaging internal processes within expensive machinery, increasing the risk of breakdowns or the need for repair.

It isn't just machinery that will be affected! The actual lubrication itself can also take a hit. It quite simply won't be up to the same standards in most cases so, you’ll struggle to get the same performance levels compared to a higher grade.

Unseen Costs Further Down The Line

When using a cheaper lubrication option in most cases can have negative effects, it's counterproductive in terms of saving money to settle for the initial price. Unseen costs down the line of repairs, downtime and new equipment become much more of a concern.

Using a lower grade lubricant to reduce costs will be effective initially, however most definitely not further down the line as more problems will arise, all being expensive due to the insufficient quality.

Quality

As with everything cheap, quality levels in most cases are generally diminished to create a product, cutting out steps in processes or simply using cheaper, inferior foundational materials. This has an impact on the overall quality of the end product.

When investing in expensive equipment, it only makes sense to keep the standards high by sourcing the recommended lubrication and products required to keep it running, not taking a level of trying to cut costs elsewhere as it will only impact the production and performance down the line.

Hazards to the environment

Cheaper or lower grade lubricants are not as likely to meet industry standards or certifications, posing a threat to the environment. With sustainability becoming something many organisations are planning to increase awareness and consciousness of, it's important to check certifications and regulations surrounding the products consumed within your premises.

How to Identify a Quality Product

Price is a good starting point to look at - as mentioned previously, the cheaper a product is, the less likely it is to be a good grade.

Lubricant life also is helpful to look at as the longer life it holds, the more quality it is likely to be. Also, the higher the viscosity, it is a generally more desirable product as it has more abilities performance-wise.

Certification and specs should accompany any product you purchase, with the confirmation that this is a sustainable valid product.

On the other hand, your application may not need the highest quality of lubrication and the cheapest is perfectly adequate - it’s your decision based on what you are using it for, however, we recommend that you respect the equipment or processes by choosing a slightly higher grade or going with a more quality product, as the result will prove a lot more satisfaction.

This information is generally found on the labels or product data sheets, otherwise, have a chat with the seller to see their recommendations.

Here at TYGRIS, we offer a wide range of greases, with varied price points. If you need some more info on choosing the right grease for your application, we can help! Why not visit our last blog, or chat with one of the brilliant TEAM101 members?