Overview
A grease pump follower plate is a steel disc that sits inside the grease drum around the pump tube. As the pump draws grease, the plate travels down with the liquid level; the flexible NBR lip edge stays in contact with the drum wall, scraping the wall and sealing the grease surface from air, for a cleaner supply and fewer priming problems. This page covers the plate itself; for the drum or pump, see the 180 kg grease drum and our grease pump range. IsoHiTech Lubrication Systems, founded in 2023, engineering since 2006, supplies four diameters for 16, 18, and 185 kg drums. Request a quote with your drum measurements.
Specifications
| Specification | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter options | 265 mm / 285 mm / 550 mm / 590 mm | Correspond to standard 16 kg / 18 kg / 185 kg drums |
| Center hole | 30 mm / 40 mm | Matches common pump tube outer diameters; verify at order |
| Material | Zinc-plated steel plate with NBR lip edge | Steel body, elastomer sealing lip |
| Plate thickness | 2.5 mm | |
| Lip edge | 6 mm flexible NBR | Wall contact and sealing element |
| Unit weight | 0.8 – 4.2 kg depending on size | |
| Grease compatibility | NLGI 0 – 3 | |
| Temperature range | -20°C to +80°C |
Applications
- Manufacturing plants: contaminated grease shortens bearing life and clogs metering blocks in centralized systems.
- Mining and construction: with the drum lid, it keeps abrasive dust out of open drums.
- Fleet and automotive shops: limits exposure for drums open between services.
- Wind turbines and remote assets: clean supply between expensive service visits.
- Centralized and automatic systems: pair plate, pump, and drum so grease stays clean and air-free.
How to Select the Right Size
Select by the measured inner diameter, not the nominal capacity. Real drums vary between makers, and even same-capacity drums can differ by several millimeters, so measure near the working height. Two mismatches cause trouble: an undersized plate lets grease bypass the lip edge so air enters, and an oversized plate can catch or jam on the wall; check drum roundness, reinforcing rings, and mouth interference before ordering. The 550 mm and 590 mm plates normally pair with 180 kg-class drums; confirm the fit against your measured inner diameter and lip edge compression before ordering.
Drum Changeover and Installation
Mount the plate on the pump tube and lower it into the drum. When the drum runs empty, lift plate and tube together, seat the plate in the fresh drum, reinsert the tube, and prime; the changeover typically takes a few minutes. Keep the lip edge from catching on the drum mouth or a reinforcing ring.
Maintenance
The steel body needs little attention; the wearing part is the NBR lip edge. Check it for cracking, tearing, or permanent set, and order spare edges with your plates. Keep the plate centered on the tube; tilting usually means an off-center tube or an out-of-round drum. Applications outside NLGI 0 – 3 or -20°C to +80°C are a confirm-at-order item.
FAQ
What is a grease pump follower plate?
A steel disc with a flexible NBR lip edge that rides the drum wall on the pump tube, traveling down with the grease and sealing the surface from air.
How do I select the right follower plate size?
Measure the actual inner diameter, not the nominal capacity: 265 mm and 285 mm match 16 kg and 18 kg pails; 550 mm and 590 mm match 185 kg drums. Send the measurement for confirmation.
When do I need a follower plate instead of a bare suction tube?
It depends on contamination control, grease consistency, and pumping frequency. Plates suit thicker NLGI 1 – 3 greases and frequent pumping; soft greases used occasionally work with a bare suction tube.
How much grease can a follower plate recover?
We do not promise a recovery percentage or kilograms. What remains depends on plate-to-wall fit, drum roundness, grease consistency, temperature, and pump alignment.
Which center hole size fits my pump tube?
The plate comes with a 30 mm or 40 mm center hole for common pump tube diameters; other sizes are a confirm-at-order item.
What happens when the grease is cold or very stiff?
Cold grease raises pump load and can resist the plate’s descent. Warm the drum room, use a softer NLGI grade for cold, or check pump ratio and air supply.
Will the plate jam on the drum wall or let grease bypass it?
Both trace back to sizing: a plate too large catches on the wall or a reinforcing ring; an undersized or worn lip lets grease slip past.
How does drum changeover work with a follower plate?
Lift plate and pump tube out as one assembly, seat the plate in the fresh drum, reinsert the tube, prime, and resume; typically a few minutes.
How often should the NBR lip edge be replaced?
No fixed interval can be stated. Wear depends on lip compression, drum wall condition, grease chemistry, and temperature; inspect at every change and replace on cracking, tearing, or set.
Can a follower plate be used with automatic lubrication systems?
Yes. Automatic systems cannot tolerate air in the grease line, which causes pressure swings, false alerts, and starved points; the plate keeps a consistent grease column above the pump inlet.
To size a plate to your drums, send us your drum inner diameter and pump tube size and we will confirm the fit. See the 180 kg grease drum, our grease pump range, or a complete guide to grease pumps. Email inquiry@isohitech.com.
