A South African winery sought an alternative to the bronze hanger bearings used in a pomace auger that conveys grape skins, pips, and residual pulp after pressing.
The application operates in a particularly demanding environment. Bearings are exposed to abrasive grape pomace, moisture, frequent washdowns, and naturally occurring organic acids found in grapes, including tartaric and malic acid. Originally, the bronze hanger bearings required replacement after each harvest season despite regular maintenance and weekly greasing.
To evaluate an alternative solution, a Vesconite Hilube hanger bearing was installed in the pomace auger in 2025 prior to the harvest season.
Vesconite Hilube was selected for its excellent wear resistance, low coefficient of friction, low moisture absorption, and ability to operate without external lubrication. The material offers good dimensional stability in wet environments and resistance to a wide range of chemicals commonly encountered in agricultural and food-processing applications. In addition, Vesconite Hilube carries WRAS, NSF/ANSI 61, and LNE approvals for drinking water and food-contact applications. These properties make it particularly well-suited to applications where contamination, moisture, abrasive materials, and chemical exposure can pose significant challenges.
Following completion of the harvest and processing season, the bearing was inspected after conveying an entire season’s worth of grape pomace. Despite operating without any external lubrication, the bearing exhibited only 0.5 mm of wear and remained fully serviceable.
Compared with the previously installed bronze bearing, Vesconite Hilube eliminated the need for weekly greasing and demonstrated significantly improved wear performance. The successful trial highlights the suitability of Vesconite Hilube for demanding winery conveying applications where reduced maintenance and extended component life are important considerations.
Benefits observed
- Only 0.5 mm wear after one harvest and processing season
- Eliminated the requirement for weekly greasing
- Reliable performance in a wet, abrasive environment
- Extended service life compared with the previous bronze bearing
