Farm Power & Machinery

Splash lubrication system

• In this system, the lubricating oil is filled in the sump or trough at the bottom of the crank case. Scoops (it is like a spoon) are attached to the big end of the connecting rod (Fig. 6.1). This pan receives its oil supply from the oil sump either by means of a gear pump or by gravity. A dipper is provided at the lower end of the connecting rod. This dipper dips into the oil trough and splashes oil out of the pan. The splashing action of oil maintains a fog or mist of oil that drenches the inner parts of the engine such as bearings, cylinder walls, pistons, piston pins, timing gears etc. The splash oil then drips back into the sump.
• This system is commonly used in single cylinder engine with closed crankcase. For effective functioning of the engine, proper level of oil is maintained in the oil pan. Lubrication depends largely upon the size of oil holes and clearances. This system is very effective if the oil is clean and undiluted. Its disadvantages are that lubrication is not very uniform and when the rings are worn, the oil passes the piston into combustion chamber, causing carbon deposition, blur smoke and spoiling the plugs. There is every possibility that oil may become very thin through crankcase dilution. The worn metal, dust and carbon may be collected in the oil chamber and be carried to different parts of the engine, causing wear and tear.
  
  Fig. 6.1 Splash lubrication system