I have a few Athearn BB locos, from the late 90's, and I'm bringing them back to life. These are NOS, new in the original box, never run locos.
These do have the hex/dog bone drive shafts, While taking the trucks apart, I notice they are dry and clean. I expected to see old grease.
What would be a good lube for these ? I have a partial tube of Labelle 106 Grease with PTFE.
What do you think? Is there something newer and better?
Mike.
My You Tube
For gears, NorthWest Short Line recommends LaBelle #102 Gear Oil. I use it on almost all of my locomotives, but I've also used LaBelle's #106 Grease with PTF for some of them. Both products are plastic compatible.
Wayne
Thanks Wayne, I'll use the 106 that I have. It's not a new tube, but it's still clean white color, and slippery. I was surprised that everything was clean and dry.
Just wondering if there was a new "lastest and greatest" out there.
mbinsewi Thanks Wayne, I'll use the 106 that I have. It's not a new tube, but it's still clean white color, and slippery. I was surprised that everything was clean and dry. Just wondering if there was a new "lastest and greatest" out there. Mike.
It is not surprising that the gears were dry, Athearn was never one to over lube at the factory, if they lubed at all. Fact is, those gear towers don't need much lube. I've seen them run forever without any.
The worm gear and its bushings are the main thing that should have lube, along with some light oil on the axle bushings.
The slippery Delrin spur gears really don't need any, but get some by contact with the worm.
Sheldon
Thanks Sheldon.
mbinsewiWhat would be a good lube for these ? I have a partial tube of Labelle 106 Grease with PTFE. What do you think? Is there something newer and better?
If you use the Labelle 106, use it pretty sparingly. You don't want to create any issues with grease clogs. This is my usual 'go to'.
I've seen a mixture of graphite and 102 used sparingly and it was pretty efficient and not thick. That was in old BB's, but the gear boxes are the same
Len S
Thanks Len.
I use Labelle #102 on the gears and Labelle #108 on the shaft bushings of my Athearn Blue Boxes. My PA/PB set still runs like new.
.
Only use ONE DROP! The gears Athearn uses are tough and slick. Too much lube only causes problems.
These are very reliable locomotives. I love all mine.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Thanks Kev, I was looking at those while at my LHS. I already have the 106 grease, so, following Sheldon's and Wayne's advice, I put a tiny bit on each worm gear.
Several Years ago, I had contacted Fisk Brothers Refinery, makers of the Luberplate Line of industrial lubricants, headquartered and manufacturing in the Chicago area.
Gave the specifications on what I wanted to lubricate, with mechanical data, gear ratios, motor specifications and such.
Mentioned a LaBelle's product, which to the best of my knowledge they don not manufacturer in house. (Suspect their respective lubricant line is manufactured and packed by Fisk Brothers (?)
Did not take long to recieve information from a staff Mechanical Engineer, Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) on staff with Fisk Brothers. Of coarse if they do indeed manufacturer lubricants for LaBelle, they will not mention this due to contractual obligations (Legal).
The Staff PE did indeed provide information on what would be comperable and or superior to the LaBelle Lubricant.
It is a lubricant (posting from a location), which I do not have access to my Lubriplate lubricant (at home) and and on a lunch break posting from a public library computer.
The lubricant in question, a application, which is used on garage door openers, using a screw drive system.
Look's like LaBelle Grease and comes in a plastic tube.
Run EightLook's like LaBelle Grease and comes in a plastic tube.
Yes it does. I've using it for quite awahile. I just wanted to see what the general concensus was.
I use the #106 with PTFE.
Adendum to yesterdays posting.
The Fisk Brothers "Lubriplate Products are produced in Newark, New Jersey and Toledo, Ohio, not in the Chicago area.
As for the lubricant mention it is Lubriplate Aero Multi-Purpose Grease, Part Number LO 113-076. I believe this is the same lubricant, which Mantua Industries used, when they manufactured locomotives in the United States, R-T-R Steam Locomotives.