Haven't lubed your treadmill recently? We offer the same professional grade high viscosity 100% silicone lube we use in the field. Lube is available in convenient 2oz, 4oz, and 8oz sizes. Looking for more? We also have our bulk sizes of 64oz, 128oz, and 256oz in jugs with dispensing pumps!
Treadmills are widely used both in home gyms and commercial fitness facilities, but keeping them running smoothly requires proper maintenance. One crucial component of treadmill care is lubrication. The right lubricant will extend the life of your treadmill and ensure that it functions properly over time. However, not all lubricants are created equal, and one key factor to consider is viscosity. In particular, understanding lubricant shear and the advantages of using a higher viscosity lubricant will help prevent common treadmill problems.
What is Lubricant Shear?
Lubricant shear refers to the breakdown of the molecular structure of a lubricant due to the intense forces that occur when two surfaces move relative to each other. On a treadmill, this happens where the running belt contacts the deck. Over time, the lubricant will lose its effectiveness as the molecular structure is altered by repeated stress, leading to decreased performance and increased wear.
When a lubricant shears, it will lose its ability to reduce friction between the belt and the deck. This will cause increased wear on both components, leading to costly repairs. Our high viscosity treadmill lubricant is specifically designed to withstand these forces.
Why Viscosity Matters
Viscosity is the measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow. A high-viscosity lubricant is thicker and flows more slowly, while a low-viscosity lubricant is thinner and flows more easily. The viscosity of a lubricant has a direct impact on its performance in high-stress environments like treadmills.
Low-viscosity lubricants, while easy to apply, are more prone to shearing under the intense pressure of a moving treadmill belt. They may break down faster, losing their ability to reduce friction. This leads to:
- Increased Wear and Tear: As the lubricant loses its effectiveness, the friction between the belt and deck increases. This added friction causes excessive wear on both the running belt and the deck, reducing the lifespan of these components.
- Heat Buildup: When friction increases, so does heat. Over time, excessive heat will damage the treadmill walking belt, deck, and motor control board, leading to even more expensive repairs. Additionally, the heat will cause premature degradation of the treadmill components and even cause the lubricant itself to degrade faster.
- Noise and User Discomfort: A treadmill that isn’t properly lubricated will become noisy and difficult to use, creating a poor experience for the user. The noise often indicates that the belt is experiencing more friction, which over time leads to more significant problems.
The Benefits of High Viscosity Lubricants
Using a high-viscosity lubricant offers several advantages that help mitigate the problems caused by lubricant shear and provide better overall performance for the treadmill. These include:
- Better Shear Resistance: High-viscosity lubricants are more resistant to shear forces, meaning they better maintain their molecular structure under the stresses of treadmill operation. This allows them to provide consistent lubrication over time, reducing the chances of friction-induced damage.
- Longer Lasting Protection: Because higher viscosity lubricants are less prone to shearing, they provide longer-lasting protection. This reduces the need for frequent reapplication, saving time and money in maintenance costs.
- Improved Heat Dissipation: High-viscosity lubricants better withstand the heat generated by the friction between the belt and the deck. This helps to prevent overheating of components and keeps the treadmill running more efficiently for longer periods.
- Enhanced Load Bearing Capacity: Thicker, higher-viscosity lubricants are better suited to handling the pressure exerted by the treadmill’s moving parts, particularly under heavier usage or for commercial machines. This ensures that the lubricant stays in place and maintains its effectiveness over longer periods.
Choosing the Right Lubricant for Your Treadmill
When selecting a lubricant for your treadmill, it’s important to choose one with the appropriate viscosity. While a low-viscosity lubricant might seem convenient due to its ease of application and lower price, the long-term benefits of using a high-viscosity lubricant far outweigh the short-term advantages. Higher viscosity lubricants provide much better protection against shear forces, heat buildup, and excessive wear, ultimately extending the lifespan of the treadmill.
Conclusion
Lubricant shear is a common problem in treadmill maintenance, but it can be mitigated by using a high-viscosity 100% silicone lubricant. High-viscosity lubricants offer better shear resistance, longer-lasting protection, and improved performance under the intense conditions found in treadmills. By investing in the right lubricant, treadmill owners will save on repair costs, extend the life of their machines, and ensure a smoother workout experience.
In the long run, choosing a higher viscosity lubricant is a smarter decision that pays off in both performance and durability.