When heavy mining machinery executes long walks, walking mechanism slides face immense load, friction, and extreme temperatures. Whitmore WhitSlide Extreme high-performance slide lubricant addresses these heavy-duty operating challenges. Formulated with specialized extreme pressure (EP) and anti-wear technology adapted from industrial enclosed gear oils, this lubricant forms a tenacious coating on heavy sliding surfaces to reduce metal-to-metal contact, control operating temperatures, and prevent costly operational delays.
How does Whitmore WhitSlide Extreme prevent slide wear?
Whitmore WhitSlide Extreme relies on a synergistic blend of extreme pressure and anti-wear additives. Under heavy loading, sliding surfaces experience severe friction that can lead to micro-welding and structural wear. The additive chemistry in this lubricant reacts with metal surfaces to smooth microscopic contact zones, significantly lowering friction and heat generation. By minimizing mechanical resistance during walking cycles, mine operators can avoid deadhead delays caused by overheating component assemblies.
Standardized ASTM testing demonstrates the protective capabilities of this formulation. According to ASTM D-2783 Four Ball EP testing, the Medium and Heavy grades of this lubricant achieve a weld point of 800 kg. This 800 kg rating represents the maximum load capacity the testing apparatus can record, demonstrating exceptional film strength under extreme mechanical force. Additionally, ASTM D-4172 Four Ball Wear testing shows a wear scar diameter of just 0.33 mm, an exceptionally low value indicating reliable component preservation.
What are the main grades of Whitmore WhitSlide Extreme?
This heavy-duty lubricant is available in three grades to accommodate varying equipment specifications, application methods, and environmental conditions: Light, Medium, and Heavy. Each grade retains a flash point of 200°F (94°C) under ASTM D-92 Cleveland Open Cup testing and passes the ASTM D-665 distilled water rust test, ensuring reliable corrosion protection.
- Light Grade: Formulated as a free-flowing black fluid with a Brookfield viscosity of 1,200 cps (Spindle 7 at 5 rpm, 77°F). It provides excellent low-temperature pumpability, operating down to -20°F (-29°C) in a Lincoln Ventmeter at 400 psi and -30°F (-34°C) in Farval systems at 2,000 psi.
- Medium Grade: Formulated as a slow-moving black fluid with a Brookfield viscosity of 40,000 cps. This grade balances mobility and load carrying, reaching a 20°F (-7°C) limit in Lincoln Ventmeter testing and 10°F (-12°C) in Farval systems.
- Heavy Grade: Formulated as a soft black grease with a Brookfield viscosity of 85,000 cps. This grade is optimized for high-temperature and maximum-load applications, with pumpability limits of 35°F (4°C) in Lincoln systems and 25°F (-4°C) in Farval systems.
When should you apply Whitmore WhitSlide Extreme?
This high-performance lubricant is primarily designed for the walking mechanism slides of Bucyrus 2500 series draglines. These massive earthmoving machines require extreme pressure lubricants capable of sustaining a thick boundary layer under multi-ton loads. Beyond walking slides, the lubricant is highly recommended for heavily loaded industrial bushings that experience severe sliding friction.
Additionally, it can be utilized on new open gears as an initial base coat. When applied directly to new gear teeth, the high-viscosity base material creates a sticky, high-tack foundation that helps standard grease-type open gear lubricants adhere more effectively to the clean metal. For environmental and operator safety, the formula uses an ozone-safe, non-chlorinated solvent and contains zero heavy metals. This composition allows users to dispose of spent lubricant in the same manner as standard spent grease or asphaltic lubricants.
Summary
- Extreme Pressure Protection: Medium and Heavy grades deliver an 800 kg weld point in ASTM D-2783 Four Ball EP tests, representing the maximum load limits of the testing machinery.
- Wear and Friction Mitigation: Special additive synergy reduces metal-to-metal contact, yielding wear scar widths as low as 0.33 mm (ASTM D-4172).
- Targeted Applications: Specifically engineered for Bucyrus 2500 series dragline walking slides, heavily loaded bushings, and as a base coat for new open gears.
- Environmental Design: Contains no heavy metals and uses an ozone-safe, non-chlorinated solvent with a high flash point of 200°F (94°C) across all grades.
Step-by-step
- Select the appropriate grade of Whitmore WhitSlide Extreme (Light, Medium, or Heavy) based on the operating ambient temperature and pumpability requirements of your Lincoln or Farval lubrication system.
- Clean the walking mechanism slides, bushings, or new open gear surfaces of any heavy debris or incompatible chemical residues.
- Apply the lubricant as a base coat on new open gears to help subsequent grease-type open gear lubricants adhere to the metal, or feed it through the centralized lubrication system for dragline slides.
- Monitor walking mechanism operating temperatures during heavy transport cycles to verify the reduction of friction-induced heat.
- Dispose of any spent lubricant in accordance with local regulations for standard spent grease or asphaltic lubricants.
Products discussed in this episode
- WhitSlide Extreme Light Propel Machinery Lubricants
- WHITMORE WhitSlide Extreme Medium Propel Machinery Lubricants
- WhitSlide Extreme Heavy Drum Propel Machinery Lubricants
- WhitSlide Extreme Heavy Tote Propel Machinery Lubricants
- WHITMORE WhitSlide Extreme Heavy Keg Propel Machinery Lubricants
Browse all Whitmore products on PE Energy Industrial Supply.
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