1235 Hickory Street; Pewaukee, WI 53072
For Customer Support: 800-558-7008
Pneumatic Motor Operation and Maintenance:
Pneumatic motors are beneficial because they can operate in hot, corrosive, and wet
environments without damage, and are unaffected by continuous stalling or overload.
Compressed air offers special advantages that make pneumatic motors quite desirable:
it’s readily available in many plants, it’s clean, and it can be connected with simple low-
pressure air line. Pneumatic motors are operated by compressed air, the expansion of
which creates a cooling effect. As a result, the temperature of the pneumatic motor will
not exceed the temperatures of the surrounding atmosphere or the air delivered at the
inlet.
A pneumatic motor slows down when load increases. Its torque increases at the same
time until it matches the load. Therefore, the Trico High Viscosity Pneumatic Filtration
system continues to provide increased torque until it stalls due to fluid viscosity within
the pump, then maintains the stalled condition and can remain there for indefinite
periods without harming the motor. By contrast, a stalled electric motor without overload
protection soon burns out, and hydraulic motors will overheat.
During a stall, Trico High Viscosity Pneumatic Filtration system continues to applying
torque and resumes rotation only when the stall is overcome by reducing the load.
Pneumatic Filtration system motor usually wears out slowly over time, producing less
power as they wear. Because of this, maintenance can be planned well in advance.
Maintenance and repairs are generally fairly simple as is testing and checking. Air
entering the FRL must be clean and dry for efficient operation of the pneumatic motor
as well as to prevent motor damage. Lubrication is critical for efficient operation and
long life of the pneumatic motor. Lubrication also prevents corrosion of a motor’s
interior, since moisture is often present in plant air lines.
Symptoms of a malfunctioning rotary motor are slow operation or low torque capability,
or both. Problems can stem from one or more of our sources: dirt or foreign materials in
the motor, corrosion, and improper lubrication. Please consult troubleshooting at the
end of this manual for any other issues.
