What can over-greasing machinery lead to?

When machinery is over-greased, the excess grease does not remain contained within the intended lubrication points. Instead, it can escape from these areas, often leading to the grease accumulating in unwanted places. This escaping grease can accumulate dirt and debris from the surrounding environment, resulting in contamination of the lubricated components. This contamination can hinder the effectiveness of the lubricant and can lead to increased wear on the machinery parts it was meant to protect, creating further issues in operation.

While improved lubrication and reduced wear seem beneficial, over-greasing does not achieve these goals effectively. Similarly, the idea of decreased operational efficiency may be a consequence of over-greasing, as dirty or contaminated grease can lead to increased friction or breakdown of the machinery. However, the primary issue caused by over-greasing is contamination due to grease escaping and attracting dirt, making this the most accurate understanding of the potential consequences of this practice.