Effective lubrication is one of the most impactful — and most overlooked — factors in the service life of industrial machinery. The choice between centralised lubrication systems and manual point lubrication has significant implications for maintenance cost, machine reliability, and bearing life. This article explains how each system works and when each is the right choice.
What is Point Lubrication?
Point lubrication — sometimes called manual lubrication — means grease or oil is applied to each individual lubrication point by hand, typically using a grease gun or oil can on a maintenance schedule. The technician works through a list of lubrication points on each machine, applying a specified quantity of lubricant to each grease nipple or oil port.
Point lubrication is simple and low-cost to implement, but relies heavily on technician discipline, access to every lube point, and accurate application quantities. Missed points, under-greasing, or over-greasing are all common sources of premature bearing failure in manually-lubricated machines.
What is a Centralised Lubrication System?
A centralised lubrication system (CLS) automatically delivers precise, metered quantities of lubricant to multiple points from a single reservoir, on a timed or cycle-based schedule — while the machine is running. Types include:
- Single-line progressive systems — lubricant is delivered through a series of metering valves connected in sequence; one pump feeds all points
- Dual-line systems — two main lines alternate supply; suited to long pipe runs and large point counts
- Multi-point electric systems — a pump drives individual metering outputs; suitable for smaller machines with moderate point counts
- Oil mist and oil/air systems — used in high-speed, high-temperature bearing applications
Key Advantages of Centralised Lubrication
The core advantage of a CLS is that lubrication is delivered little and often — small, precise quantities at regular intervals — rather than large quantities infrequently. This mirrors the ideal condition for rolling element bearings: a continuous, thin film of fresh lubricant rather than periodic flooding.
Practical advantages include:
- Lubrication while running — lubricant is applied under load and at operating temperature, reaching the bearing in working condition
- Eliminated missed points — every point is served automatically; no reliance on technician access or discipline
- Reduced lubricant consumption — metered delivery eliminates over-greasing (a leading cause of bearing failure)
- Lower maintenance labour — technicians are freed from routine greasing rounds
- Extended bearing and component life — consistent lubrication dramatically reduces wear
When is Manual Lubrication Appropriate?
Manual lubrication remains the right choice for:
- Low-point-count machines with easy access to all lube points
- Machines that run infrequently, where a CLS is hard to justify economically
- One-off or temporary equipment
- Applications where different lubricants are required at different points (most CLS systems use one lubricant type)
When Does a Centralised System Pay Off?
A CLS investment is typically justified when:
- A machine has 10 or more lubrication points that are difficult or dangerous to access while running
- Bearing failures are occurring and manual lubrication compliance is suspect
- Maintenance labour cost of manual greasing rounds is significant
- The machine runs continuously and cannot be stopped for routine lubrication
- Lubricant contamination from over-greasing is causing issues
Lincoln and SKF Systems from AD Automation
AD Automation supplies and installs centralised lubrication systems from Lincoln Industrial and SKF — two of the world's leading CLS manufacturers. Our team can assess your machinery, design a system, supply all components, and provide installation and commissioning support.
Whether you're retrofitting a CLS to an existing machine or specifying one for new plant, we can recommend the right system type, reservoir size, pump, metering valves, and pipe layout for your application.
Learn more about our lubrication system services or request a system assessment and quote. Call our team on (03) 9798 7522 to discuss your requirements.
