A removable oil filter system includes an oil filter mount, an oil filter element removably connected to the oil filter mount, an impending-bypass indicator connected to the oil filter mount and in fluid communication with an oil in the oil filter system, and a full-bypass indicator in fluid communication with the oil filter mount. The impending-bypass indicator is capable of reporting an impending-bypass condition of the oil filter system. The full-bypass indicator is capable of reporting a full-bypass condition of the oil filter system.

A removable oil filter system includes an oil filter mount, an oil filter element removably connected to the oil filter mount, an impending-bypass indicator connected to the oil filter mount and in fluid communication with an oil in the oil filter system, and a full-bypass indicator in fluid communication with the oil filter mount. The impending-bypass indicator is capable of reporting an impending-bypass condition of the oil filter system. The full-bypass indicator is capable of reporting a full-bypass condition of the oil filter system.

A system for distributing semisolid lubricant, including a semisolid lubricant tank and a high pressure pumping system that intermittently feeds, during a lubrication cycle, at least one first duct, the at least one first duct feeding a plurality of distributors adapted to sort the semisolid lubricant to a plurality of users; a controlled suction/delivery device, fluidly associated with the first duct, for controlled suction/delivery of a part of the semisolid lubricant conveyed by the first duct. The controlled suction/delivery device configured to suck a volume of semisolid lubricant from the first duct during a step of inactivity of the pumping system on the first duct, and to introduce the previously suctioned semisolid lubricant in the first duct during a step of activity of the pumping system on the first duct.

A system for distributing semisolid lubricant, including a semisolid lubricant tank and a high pressure pumping system that intermittently feeds, during a lubrication cycle, at least one first duct, the at least one first duct feeding a plurality of distributors adapted to sort the semisolid lubricant to a plurality of users; a controlled suction/delivery device, fluidly associated with the first duct, for controlled suction/delivery of a part of the semisolid lubricant conveyed by the first duct. The controlled suction/delivery device configured to suck a volume of semisolid lubricant from the first duct during a step of inactivity of the pumping system on the first duct, and to introduce the previously suctioned semisolid lubricant in the first duct during a step of activity of the pumping system on the first duct.

A lubricating-grease pump includes a pumping chamber, a leakage accumulation chamber, a seal configured to substantially seal the pumping chamber from the leakage accumulation chamber, at least one outlet from the pumping chamber, and at least one leakage-recovery arrangement configured to guide a quantity of grease that has leaked from the pumping chamber into the leakage accumulation chamber back into the pumping chamber. The leakage-recovery arrangement may include a first passageway connecting the leakage accumulation chamber to a storage region, a second passageway connecting the first passageway to the pumping chamber and a spring-biased piston in the storage region.

A lubricating-grease pump includes a pumping chamber, a leakage accumulation chamber, a seal configured to substantially seal the pumping chamber from the leakage accumulation chamber, at least one outlet from the pumping chamber, and at least one leakage-recovery arrangement configured to guide a quantity of grease that has leaked from the pumping chamber into the leakage accumulation chamber back into the pumping chamber. The leakage-recovery arrangement may include a first passageway connecting the leakage accumulation chamber to a storage region, a second passageway connecting the first passageway to the pumping chamber and a spring-biased piston in the storage region.

A method of determining wear of a seal element includes rotating a seal plate relative to the seal element and such that the seal plate and the seal element form a rotational sealing interface. The seal element includes an insert embedded in the seal element. A portion of the seal element is worn with a sealing face of the seal plate. The insert is contacted with the sealing face of the seal plate. A portion of the insert is worn to create a wear particle of the insert. The presence of the wear particle in a lubrication oil is sensed with an oil monitoring system.

The lubricant level within a reservoir is difficult to monitor, leading to the reservoir being refilled more often than necessary to ensure that the reservoir always contains lubricant. A lubricant level sensing system is connected to and monitors various aspects of the pump assembly that draws lubricant from the reservoir. The pump assembly displaces a known volume of lubricant with each pump stroke. A lubricant-level estimator calculates an estimated lubricant level remaining in the reservoir based on a stroke-count value as sensed from the pump assembly and on a reference value stored in a memory. The estimated lubricant level provides the lubricant remaining and the rate of usage such that maintenance can be scheduled ahead of time to prevent the reservoir running dry.

The lubricant level within a reservoir is difficult to monitor, leading to the reservoir being refilled more often than necessary to ensure that the reservoir always contains lubricant. A lubricant level sensing system is connected to and monitors various aspects of the pump assembly that draws lubricant from the reservoir. The pump assembly displaces a known volume of lubricant with each pump stroke. A lubricant-level estimator calculates an estimated lubricant level remaining in the reservoir based on a stroke-count value as sensed from the pump assembly and on a reference value stored in a memory. The estimated lubricant level provides the lubricant remaining and the rate of usage such that maintenance can be scheduled ahead of time to prevent the reservoir running dry.

A vehicle drive system includes a first prime mover, a transmission, a power take-off (PTO), a lubrication system for the transmission and the PTO, and a control system. The transmission is powered by the first prime mover. The transmission is configured to rotate a drive shaft of the vehicle. The PTO is connected to the transmission at a first interface. The PTO includes the first interface and a second interface. The control system is configured to control fluid flow through the lubrication system for at least one mode where the input section of the PTO is stationary and the output section rotates.