What Should I Use to Lubricate a Casket Lowering Device?
Updated: 22 hours ago
Proper lubrication is one of the most important—and most misunderstood—parts of casket lowering-device maintenance. Too little lubrication can contribute to wear, noise, corrosion, and inconsistent operation. But more lubricant is not automatically better.
Use the lubricant specified for the device and component
For Frigid lowering devices, Frigid recommends its lowering-device gear grease for the gearing. Cantrell's uses the recommended Frigid gear grease when servicing those devices.
Frigid's published owner guidance specifies SAE 30-weight motor oil for the governor-brake assembly and states that regular lubrication should be performed every two to three months. That does not mean every part of the device should be oiled or greased on that schedule. Frigid also describes its current lowering devices as using sealed, self-lubricating bearings. For another make, model, or generation of lowering device, use the lubrication guidance appropriate to that specific equipment.
More grease is not better
One of the lubrication problems Cantrell's encounters in the field is excessive grease inside the heads. We have opened lowering devices where the internal mechanism was heavily packed with axle grease, equipment grease, or other products.
The gearing needs proper lubrication, but excessive grease can make inspection and cleaning more difficult and can encourage repeated lubrication instead of identifying why a device has become noisy or begun operating differently.
Too little lubricant can be a problem. Too much is not the solution.
Old grease should not simply accumulate forever
Over time, old lubricant can collect dirt and contamination. When appropriate during comprehensive service, accumulated grease and contamination should be cleaned sufficiently for the mechanical condition of the device to be properly inspected. Fresh lubricant can then be applied where appropriate after the condition of the equipment has been evaluated.
Lubrication is not limited to adding grease inside the heads
A lowering device also contains external moving parts, locks, hardware, and other service points that can be affected by corrosion and environmental exposure.
Those areas should be inspected and serviced appropriately for the particular device rather than simply applying the same lubricant everywhere.
Do not use lubrication to hide a mechanical problem
Lowering inconsistently
Starting and stopping
Grinding or binding
Lowering excessively slowly
Lowering too quickly
Requiring unusual effort to operate
If a device is doing any of these things, simply adding more grease should not automatically be considered the repair. Lubrication may be part of the maintenance the device needs, but abnormal operation can also indicate wear, adjustment problems, or another mechanical condition that requires inspection.
Proper casket lowering-device lubrication means using the correct lubricant, at the correct location, in the appropriate amount, while also paying attention to the mechanical condition of the equipment. Do not assume that every moving part needs grease, that more grease is better, or that lubrication will correct every operating problem.
If you maintain your own equipment and are unsure about a lubrication point or product, Cantrell's can help identify the appropriate maintenance approach for the device. Call 800-961-5722.
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