TOP DRIVE LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

LUBRICATION SCHEDULE
FREQUENCY
Daily

CHECK
TYPE
POINT
A
NLGI Multipurpose lithium based EP grease*
B

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly
Semi-Annual

AGMA EP Gear Lubricant

PROCEDURE
1-3 Strokes of a hand-operated grease gun.
Check oil level in Gearbox with gears at rest. Add oil if needed.

ISO/ASTM Hydraulic Oil

NLGI Multipurpose lithium based EP grease*

Check oil level in Torque Tube. Add oil if needed.

1-3 Strokes of a hand-operated grease gun.

Heavy-duty lead-based thread compound

Coat contact area of Elevator Links.

F
G

Misting type - ISO Grade 32

NLGI Multipurpose lithium based EP grease*

Check oil level in all Air Lubricators. Add oil if needed.

Stroke grease gun until grease comes out opposite side of couplings.

NLGI Multipurpose lithium based EP grease*

1-3 Strokes of a hand-operated grease gun.

NLGI Multipurpose lithium based EP grease*

Stroke grease gun until grease is visible at top of Handling Ring.

Heavy-duty lead-based thread compound

Coat Handling Ring Pinion and Gear.

Heavy-duty lead-based thread compound

Disassemble Clamps and coat all Metal-to-Metal surfaces.

AGMA EP Gear Lubricant

C
L

ISO/ASTM Hydraulic Oil

NLGI Multipurpose lithium based EP grease*

Drain Torque Tube oil and refill with fresh oil.

Replenish grease in Handling Rotation Drive (see Manufacturers Manual.)

NLGI No.2 lithium soap based EP grease

Grease Traction Motor Bearings in DC Motor (see Manufacturers Manual.)

*Ambient Air Temperature Grease Selection:

Above 20F. (-7C.) - NLGI No.2, General Purpose EP
Below 20F. (-7C.) - NLGI No.1, General Purpose EP

Drain Gearbox oil, flush, and refill with fresh oil.

Ambient Air Temperature Gear Oil Selection:

+50F (10C) TO 125F (52C) - AGMA #7 EP, ISO/ASTM VG 460
+15F (-9C) TO 60F (16C) - AGMA #6 EP, ISO/ASTM VG 320
-20F (-29C) TO 25F (-4C) - AGMA #4 EP, ISO/ASTM VG 150
-50F (-45C) TO
0F (-17C) - AGMA #3 EP, ISO/ASTM VG 100

Ambient Air Temperature Hydraulic Oil Selection:

-20F (-29C) TO 125F (52C) - Hydraulic Oil (premium grade with anti-wear and anti-rust additives): ISO/ASTM Grade = 46,
Viscosity = 48-55 SUS @ 210F (6.8-8.9 cSt @ 100C), Viscosity Index = 132, Pour Point = -30F (-34C) or
- Automatic Transmission Fluid: Type F meeting Ford Motor Company specification ESW-M2C33-F or
- Hydraulic Transmission Oil: ISO/ASTM Grade = 46, Viscosity = 49 SUS @ 210F (7 cSt @ 100C)
Viscosity Index = 100 minimum, Pour Point = -35F (-37C)
-50F (-45C) TO
0F (-17C) - Hydraulic Oil (premium shear stable high VI anti-wear): ISO/ASTM Grade = 32,
Viscosity = 46.6 SUS @ 210F (6.1 cSt @ 100C), Viscosity Index = 153, Pour Point = -58F (-50C) or
- Automatic Transmission Fluid: Dexron III, Viscosity = 51 SUS @ 210F (7.5 cSt @ 100C)
Viscosity Index = 172, Pour Point = -54F (-48C)

Oil Capacities: Gear Oil

42 U.S. Gal. (159 Liters)

Hydraulic Oil
11 U.S. Gal. (42 Liters)

NOTE: For more detailed service and lubricating instructions, and optional equipment, see Top Drive Maintenance and System Description sections in
the NATIONAL OILWELL Top Drive Care & Operations Manual.
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OPERATING MAINTENANCE
FREQUENCY
Daily

CHECK
POINT
1
2

PROCEDURE
Visually inspect Grabs and Dies. Flush out any drilling mud behind Die Blocks.
Check for a change in vibration. Could indicate worn Motor Couplings or internal Gearbox parts.
Check Gearbox sound level for sudden changes. Could indicate low oil level, oil thinning, abnormal loading, or worn coupling.
Clean dirt or contaminate accumulation off Gearbox to maintain proper cooling of the unit.
Check temperature of the Gear Box Oil Bath, Gear Case, and Shafts. Check at various points after operating unit at lease 2 hours
Check Gearbox Lubricant condition for color change, thickening, and unexplainable corrosion of internal parts.
Check for oil leakage at Oil Seal, Housing cover, Bearing Cap Shims, and pipe fittings.
Maintain lubrication flow during prolonged period of slow drilling by speeding-up the motor in between drill pipe connections.

Weekly
Monthly

Quarterly

Semi-Annual

3
4

Check filter bowl for Top Drive System air supply. Drain as needed.
Check filter bowls for Proportional Relay Valve, Counterbalance Control Box, and Air Pressure Booster. Drain as needed.

Inspect for loose, missing, or unsecured fasteners. Check torque of the Locking-Ring socket head screws.

Check Washpipe for evidence of drilling fluid leakage. Replace packing as needed.

7
8

Clean Motor Exhaust Spark Arrestor. Replace as needed. (Open Loop Cooling Systems only)
Clean Inlet Air Filters. Replace as needed. (Louver-Style Open Loop Cooling Systems only)

Clean Cooling System Air Filter. Replace filter as needed. Replace gasket as needed. (Closed Loop Cooling Systems only)

9
10

Change Gearbox Oil Filter Cartridge. Inspect and clean intake line strainer. Replace as needed.
Check the pre-charge on the accumulator.

11
12
13

See DC Motor Manufacturers Detailed Maintenance Procedures. Calibrate Torque Meter on Driller's Control Console.
Check filters elements for Top Drive System air supply, Proportional Relay Valve, Counterbalance Control box, Air Pressure
Booster, and Grabs System air supply. Replace as needed.
See IBOP Manufacturers Detailed Maintenance Procedures.

14

Check Counterbalance Isolator Quad Mount Wear Pads for wear. Replace as needed.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
- Make sure the air supply is turned off before coating the Handling Ring Pinion and Gear.
- To avoid injury while inspecting the Grabs, close both needle valves on the Grabs Control Valve before inspection.
- The average Gearbox Oil Bath temperature is 140F (60C); however, the range can vary from 100F to 200F (38C to 93C). Low oil level, abnormal
loading, thickening of the lubricant, or bearing seizure are possible sources of an undue rise in temperature.
- Avoid head injuries by maintaining the original security devices, such as, safety wire, cotter pins, lock nuts, retaining rings, Loctite, etc. to prevent parts from
vibrating loose and falling.
- Do not clean Air Filter Element or Motor Exhaust Spark Arrestor with flammable solvent. Use soapy water only.
- If oil pressure drops, do not wait until Quarterly Maintenance to change Gearbox Oil Filter Cartridge. Change immediately.
- If it becomes necessary to shut down the Top Drive for a period longer than one (1) week, the unit must be run for at least ten minutes during each week that it
is idle. This will keep the gears and bearings coated with oil to prevent rusting due to condensation.
- Whenever it becomes necessary to replace the washpipe packing (standard washpipe), be sure that a new O-Ring is installed on the top and bottom of the
packing system, and that the packing rings are installed in the correct orientation. Hand-pack grease into the cavities formed by each packing lip and spacer
before placing into service. Inspect all parts for excessive wear, corrosion or washout; particularly the washpipe holding ring splines and snap groove.
Document Number: 300-105-00