Machinery Lubrication Technician I

If you aren’t using the correct lubricant at the right time in the right quantity and in the right place, you could be doing your equipment more harm than good. Modern lubrication programs have changed considerably from “old school” methods that have been passed down through generations.

This course provides foundational training in industrial lubricants, machinery lubrication and oil sampling. It lays the groundwork for establishing a lubrication and oil analysis program, and is designed to help you prepare for the ICML Level I Machine Lubricant Technician (MLT I).

You’ll Gain Practical New Skills That You Can Use Right Away

The Secrets Of Lubricant Selection

This course will empower you with the knowledge to understand important lubricant properties and strategies to select the correct lubricant for each machine application.

The Best Practices For Lubricant Storage, Handling And Dispensing

Learn how award-winning maintenance programs design lube storage areas, dispensing stations and transfer carts.
The Four Rs Of Lubrication

Right lubricant, right time, right quantity and right place.

If these four basic elements aren’t properly addressed, you could be doing your equipment more harm than good. Learn the newest methods for implementing the best lubrication practices.

Grease Gun Or Lethal Weapon?

In the hands of an untrained operator, a grease gun can deliver pressure up to 15,000 psi. That’s 30 times what a typical bearing seal can handle. Once the bearing seal is broken, the bearing is on its way to early failure. This course will teach you proper grease gun practices.

Effective Oil Analysis With Precision Oil Sampling

Learn how to get data-rich oil samples, exactly where to install oil sampling ports, and what sampling equipment should and shouldn’t be used.

Through this Certification Course, participants have the opportunity to accrue 5 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.

Johannesburg

Course Outline

Financial benefits from achieving lubrication excellence
Four equipment maintenance strategies, and when each applies
Important implementation steps to lubrication excellence

Six important functions of lubricating oils
How oils and greases are formulated and why it is important
How friction is generated in lubricated machinery
The importance of oil film thickness and critical clearances

How lubricant properties irreparably change
Seven important physical properties of a base oil
The importance of API’s five base oil categories
What causes grease to dry out and 18 ways to prevent it
How to detect the root causes of lubricant oxidation
When to select one of the six most commonly used synthetic base oils
How to use temperature to determine the right base oil for your machine
How to select grease thickeners for your application

Key additives that enhance lubricant performance
Viscosity grades, measurement, and reporting
Why Viscosity Index is important
What causes oil viscosity to change and how to set monitoring limits
Lubricant performance tests and reporting – what you need to know
How water contamination generates other contaminants
How to control and eliminate aeration problems

Important USDA requirements and government regulations for food-grade lubricants
What you need to know about food-grade additives, base oils and grease thickeners
Guidelines for food-grade lubricants

How to protect against incompatible grease mixtures
Advantages and disadvantages of centralized lubrication systems
Best practices for greasing motor bearings
How to control pressure when greasing bearings
The unique problems caused by over-greasing – specific steps to eliminate
3 critical instructions to give your electric motor rebuild shop
Comparing single- and multi-point lubrication options
How to calculate greasing intervals and quantity
Best practices for ultrasonic/sonic-based greasing

Overview of oil lubrication methods and devices
How to use oil mist and other automatic lubrication methods
Using pressure spray methods for gearboxes
Best practices for the maintenance of grease guns and fittings
How to protect against problems caused by constant-level oilers
Overview of single-point direct lubrication systems

The 8 most common journal bearing lubrication problems
How to select journal bearing viscosity based on speed

The nine critical factors affecting rolling-element bearing lubricant selection
How to convert required operating temperature viscosity to ISO viscosity grades

5 key requirements for gear oil
How to select the best viscosity for a gear lubricant
Best practice guidelines for storing spare gearboxes – lubrication matters!
10 conditions that may require synthetic gear lubricants
Lubrication best practices for enclosed gears – a 12 point checklist
Mastering the challenges of open gear lubrication

How to read a motor oil label: what really matters
The 6 critical objectives a motor oil must accomplish
Understanding API service classifications for engine and gear oils
The #1 reason automatic transmission fluids fail and how to protect against it
Service classifications for automotive greases – how to select
Extending engine life – surprising engine oil filter study results

Steps you can take right now to combat compressor lubricant failure
The most common compressor lubricant stressors
When to use synthetic compressor lubricants and why

Details

9 March - 13 March 2026 (JHB) FL-C1-1

8 June - 12 June 2026 (JHB) FL-C1-2

22 June - 26 June 2026 (JHB) FL-C1-3

2 November - 6 November 2026 (JHB) FL-C1-6

Enquire Now

Interested in our training courses? Complete the form to enquire or book your spot—our team will get back to you with all the details you need.

Most knowledgeable experts I’ve ever met

I wanted to thank Yellotec for presenting the most interesting course / career development programme that I’ve ever attended since finishing my university studies. Tjaart is a captivating and utmost professional course presenter and one of the most knowledgeable subject matter experts I’ve ever met, in any field. Even though our course was probably very basic if judged by industry professionals, even I as a layman could glimpse aspects of the depth of his knowledge when he answered questions posed by the more experienced students.

Pierre Joubert

Iris Condition Monitoring (Pty) Ltd