Cold weather can create real handling problems for grease and lubrication oils in mining, quarrying and heavy industrial operations.

Many sites store grease in bulk containers so maintenance teams can access lubrication products when required. This works well when the product flows properly. In winter, lower temperatures can make grease thicker, slower to dispense and harder to pump. Poor flow can also lead to product waste when grease is left in the tank, dispensed inconsistently or handled outside the usual process to keep work moving. For operations that rely on regular lubrication, these issues can affect maintenance timing and site productivity.

Since 2011, SBH Solutions has supplied Greasetainer heating jackets developed with LMK Thermosafe to apply controlled heat directly to grease containers, helping improve flow and dispensing through winter.

In cold weather, grease is often hardest to draw from the lower section of the container, particularly near the outlet. Greasetainer jackets apply heat close to the draw-off point to help maintain a workable grease consistency, reduce slow start-up flow, ease pump strain and leave less product behind in the tank.

Long straps and heavy-duty buckles allow the jacket to fit around different tank shapes while keeping key fittings accessible. The jacket is double insulated to help avoid earth leakage issues and is IP54 rated as standard. A PVC grime cover can be added to increase protection to IP55 where dust, grease, water or general site grime are present.

By warming the lower section of the tank, more of the stored product can be accessed during dispensing, rather than being left behind due to poor flow.

Grease is often only one part of a wider winter handling issue. Sites may also need to keep lubricants, oils, chemicals or other high-viscosity products moving in drums and IBCs.

For these applications, we supply industrial heating jackets across standard, Hi-Power, IECEx and WeatherSeal ranges. Standard insulated jackets suit general temperature control and handling requirements, while Hi-Power jackets are available where faster heat-up is needed. For difficult materials or faster heat transfer, a heating jacket can also be used with a drum base heater.

Where hazardous areas are involved, InteliHeat FlexiPlus IECEx heating jackets are available for suitable Zone 1 and Zone 2 applications. For wet or dirty environments, WeatherSeal fixed thermostat jackets are IP56 or standard heater jackets with additional PVC covers can provide added protection to IP55.

This gives work sites heating options for a range of grease containers, drums, IBCs and other high-viscosity products through winter.

If slow grease flow is affecting maintenance work, a fitted Greasetainer heating jacket can help to reduce delays, ease handling and minimise product left behind due to poor flow. Contact us to discuss a heating jacket for your grease storage setup.