Lubricators High-Capacity Series Polycarbonate Bowl Installation & Operating Instructions

Overview

ROSS Controls, founded in 1921 with over 100 years of leadership in fluid power, offers the Inline Lubricators High-Capacity Series with Polycarbonate Bowl for standard compressed air systems where transparent bowl visibility is desired and operating pressures do not exceed 150 psig (10 bar). Available in sight-feed or wick-feed configurations, these lubricators provide adjustable oil delivery to protect downstream pneumatic components from wear and premature failure.

The polycarbonate bowl with integral steel shatterguard provides visual oil level monitoring while providing protection against bowl fragmentation in the unlikely event of bowl failure. The aluminum body construction offers lighter weight versus the zinc body metal bowl version. The external adjusting knob controls oil feed rate; removing the knob renders the unit tamper-resistant. Install vertically with bowl at the bottom, downstream of all filters and regulators.

Use only Light Spindle Oil 80-120 SSU at 100°F. Avoid compound oils with graphite or soap fillers. For support, contact ROSS at 1-800-GET-ROSS or visit www.rosscontrols.com.

Key Features

Polycarbonate Bowl with Steel Shatterguard

The polycarbonate bowl offers transparent visibility for monitoring oil level and condition without disassembly. The integrated steel shatterguard is a mandatory safety feature that must always be installed to minimize risk in the event of bowl failure. Never operate the lubricator without the shatterguard. Replace any bowl showing crazing, cracking, or deterioration immediately — do not continue operation with a damaged bowl.

Sight-Feed and Wick-Feed Configurations

The sight-feed configuration delivers oil mist proportionally with air flow, with delivery rate monitored via the nylon sight dome. The wick-feed configuration provides oil delivery via capillary action through a wick, producing a consistent low-rate oil delivery suitable for applications requiring minimal lubrication levels. Both configurations share the same aluminum body and polycarbonate bowl assembly.

Multiple Bowl Options

The High-Capacity Series offers polycarbonate bowl (up to 150 psig), metal bowl for high-pressure use (up to 200 psig), and extended metal bowl with two sight glasses for increased oil capacity. Quick Fill Cap (1022K77) allows rapid oil refilling without full bowl removal in applicable configurations.

Technical Specifications

Construction: Sight-Feed or Wick-Feed
Ambient/Media Temperature (Polycarbonate Bowl): 40° to 125°F (4° to 52°C)
Ambient/Media Temperature (Metal Bowl): 40° to 175°F (4° to 80°C)
Inlet Pressure (Polycarbonate Bowl): 150 psig (10 bar) maximum
Inlet Pressure (Metal Bowl): 200 psig (14 bar) maximum
Fluid Media: Compressed air
Oil Adjustment: External, tamper-resistant or internal
Body: Aluminum
Bowl: Polycarbonate with steel shatterguard; aluminum bowl with sight glass optional
Bowl Ring: Aluminum
Sight Dome: Nylon
Seals: Nitrile
Plastic Bowl Assembly: Part 979K77
Metal Bowl Assembly: R-ABL109-6A
Quick Fill Cap: 1022K77
Fill Plug Kit (Plastic Bowls): R-A28-53; (Metal Bowls): R-A28-18
Cartridge Assembly Kit: R-A29-20

Applications

Standard Industrial Air Lines

The polycarbonate bowl High-Capacity lubricator serves the majority of standard compressed air applications operating below 150 psig. It is widely used in manufacturing assembly lines, material handling systems, and general-purpose pneumatic equipment where compressed air supply pressure is within normal ranges and ambient temperatures do not exceed 125°F.

Where Oil Level Visibility Is Important

Applications requiring quick visual confirmation of oil level without system shutdown benefit from the transparent polycarbonate bowl. Maintenance personnel can check oil level and condition during regular walkdowns, scheduling oil refills before the lubricator runs dry and causes downstream valve wear.

Safety and Compliance Standards

Polycarbonate bowls are designed for compressed air service only. Do not use with other gases or liquids. Certain compressor oils, chemical cleaners, solvents, paints, and fumes attack polycarbonate and can cause bowl failure. Substances harmful to polycarbonate include acetaldehyde, acetone, benzene, benzyl alcohol, brake fluids, and many others — refer to the full product documentation for the complete list. The metal bowl guard (shatterguard) must always be installed. Depressurize and lock out before any service or fill operations. Use compatible ISO 32 lubricants only.

Installation and Setup Guide

Installation Steps

Step 1: Depressurize and lock out air pressure.
Step 2: Verify upstream pipes are free of excessive dirt and liquids.
Step 3: Install vertically with bowl at the bottom.
Step 4: Orient so air flows from inlet to outlet as marked on the head.
Step 5: Install downstream of all filters and regulators.
Step 6: Fill with Light Spindle Oil 80-120 SSU at 100°F via fill plug or bowl removal.
Step 7: Ensure shatterguard is installed on the polycarbonate bowl.
Step 8: Pressurize and adjust oil feed rate. Monitor via sight dome.
Step 9: Torque fill plug to 10 in-lbs on models with plastic bowls.

Why Choose ROSS Controls

ROSS Controls, founded in 1921 with over 100 years of leadership in fluid power, provides the full range of air preparation components needed for reliable pneumatic system performance. ROSS lubricators are built to protect every component downstream, ensuring long service life for cylinders, valves, and tools. Contact ROSS at 1-800-GET-ROSS or www.rosscontrols.com.

Download This Document

PDF download: https://ross-admin-global-us-east.s3.amazonaws.com/production/uploads/document_language_file/file/208/ROSS_Lubricator_Inline_High-Capacity_SS-L007.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the maximum pressure for the polycarbonate bowl?

A: 150 psig (10 bar) maximum. For higher pressures, use the metal bowl version rated to 200 psig.

Q: Must the shatterguard be installed?

A: Yes — the steel shatterguard must always be installed on polycarbonate bowls to minimize fragmentation risk in case of bowl failure.

Q: What causes polycarbonate bowl failure?

A: Chemical attack from solvents, certain compressor oils, paints, or cleaning agents. Crazing or cracking visible on the bowl surface indicates chemical attack — replace immediately.

Q: What oil should be used?

A: Light Spindle Oil 80-120 SSU at 100°F. No compound oils with graphite, soap fillers, or phosphate additives.

Q: What is the temperature range for polycarbonate bowl models?

A: 40° to 125°F (4° to 52°C) for both ambient and media.

Q: Can the adjusting knob be removed?

A: Yes. Removing the adjusting knob makes the lubricator tamper-resistant, preventing unauthorized oil rate changes.

Q: What is the torque specification for the fill plug on plastic bowl models?

A: Torque the fill plug to 10 in-lbs on plastic bowl models.

Q: Where should the lubricator be positioned in the air circuit?

A: Downstream of all filters and regulators, as near as possible to the device being lubricated, installed vertically with bowl at the bottom.