How to Stop Corrosion from the Start and Extend Machine Life？

No matter in construction equipment, solar tracking systems, or port machinery, the slewing drive is the key part. And its effects a lot to the whole machine's performance. However, a lot of people always ignore one problem- rusting. Rust can hurt the equipment’s accuracy and lifetime. If users don’t do well in rust prevention for slewing drive, many relative problems happen as a result, raceway peeling, gear breakage, and high repair costs. So here I would like to talk about the rust prevention for slewing drive methods, from pre-installation to post-operation.

1.Before Installation

The rust prevention not only starts after installation, but the rust prevention for slewing drive begins at the unpacking stage.

First, pay attention to the storage environment. Uninstalled slewing drives must be kept indoors with humidity below 60% and never placed outside. And the temperature is better stay around 20℃±10℃. Usually our anti-rust packaging lasts for 3 to 6 months. If this period passes or the package is opened but not installed, you have to re-apply anti-rust treatment. This is the most basic but often missed step in rust prevention for slewing drive.

Second, when cleaning the mounting surface before installation, be sure to remove metal chips, weld slag, old paint, and other dirt. But be very careful: never use gasoline, diesel, or other solvents for cleaning, because they may get into and damage the seals. If the seals fail, water and dirt can enter the unit and make the slewing drive rust. Here I recommend a biodegradable alkaline cleaner instead.

2.During Installation

The installation process is also an important step for rust prevention for slewing drive. Two things matter most: protecting the anti-corrosion paint and doing the first greasing correctly.

a. Paint is a physical shield. If damaged, repair it at once.
High-quality slewing drivesusually have a heavy-duty anti-corrosion coating system, which includes phosphating, electrophoresis, epoxy zinc-rich primer, and polyurethane topcoat. If you find the paint is scratched during use, you must repair it immediately. Otherwise, the bare metal will rust quickly in damp air. This is both an installation rule and the most important active measure for rust prevention for slewing drive.
b.The first greasing must "feed" the raceway and gear teeth fully.
Grease is also a key factory, it’s not just a lubricant but also a rust-proof film that keeps air and moisture away. For the first greasing, open each grease nipple one by one, and slowly turn the slewing ring while adding grease. Stop only when you see fresh grease being squeezed out evenly from the edge of the seal. This means the inside of the raceway is full. At the same time, use a clean brush to spread grease evenly on the gear teeth. This single step will determine the rust prevention for slewing driveeffect for months inside the raceway.
3.After Operation: Regular Maintenance

Once the machine is running, rust prevention for slewing drive enters a daily management phase.

For machines that work often and continuously (like excavators and cranes), we suggest adding grease every 100 working hours. Adding new grease regularly is an effective way for rust prevention for slewing drive. Also, be sure to add enough new grease before and after each long stop period, to avoid water build-up from condensation during idle time.

At the same time, do not forget to check the mounting bolts regularly. We suggest that after the first 100 hours of use, you re-tighten all bolts to the required torque. Loose bolts can create gaps between the mounting surfaces. Rain or moisture can then enter through capillary action, break the seal, and cause rust inside. Tightening the bolts is actually a structural safeguard for rust prevention for slewing drive.

Rust does not happen overnight; it comes from daily carelessness. Truly reliable rust prevention for slewing drive must run through the whole lifecycle—from storage, installation, greasing, to bolt checking. If your slewing drive already shows some rust, check how serious it is. Light surface rust can be removed and repainted, but if the raceway shows peeling or pitting, you need to contact us for repair or replacement. Please notice: prevention is much cheaper than repair, and a complete rust prevention for slewing drive plan is the hidden champion for cutting costs and improving efficiency.