Product Information Bulletin

Date: 12 January 2018

Bulletin Number: TDS-03-28 Revision: G
Top Drive

Subject: Periodic Lubrication of TDS-9SA, -11SA and -11HP AC Drilling Motors

Product Model: All Varco TDS-9SA, -10SA, -10RR, -10SH, -11SA, -11SH*,-11HD and -11HP Top
Drive Drilling Systems

Effectivity: All AC Drilling Motors used on product Model Listed Above

Affected Assemblies: Drilling Motor Assembly, AC, Random Wound

(P/N 118217-Multiple Dash Nos.)
Drilling Motor Assembly, AC, Form Wound (P/N 10899713-001)
Drill Motor Assembly, PM (P/N M611005936)*
*Note: Used on -11SH model

Objective
Advise customers of the supplier recommendations for motor greasing and provide additional
information on the methodology and frequency for the lubrication of the AC Drilling Motors used on the
TDS-9, -10, and -11 Product Lines. Information was added regarding short and long term lubrication
requirement for both top drives and motors in storage.

A previous revision to this product bulletin outlined the procedure for the first time and follow-on
greasing of the VAR3 motors, which were newly introduced at that time. This revision will address all
Baldor/Reliance drilling motors up through VAR4 random wound, XL Rigmaster form wound, and
Permanent Magnet (PM) motor types.

Issue
NOV has received multiple reports of drilling motor failures on portable top drives including bearing
failures due to 1) lack of lubrication and/or 2) corrosion caused by contamination of lubrication.

There have been questions as to whether drilling motors are being supplied on new NOV Top Drives
already greased, as well as questions regarding methodology and the amount of lubricant to be used. We
would like to address each of these points. NOV has reviewed our current lubrication requirements in the
Maintenance section of the affected Top Drive service manuals and has determined that there are some
areas that need to be clarified.

TDS-03-28/Rev G Page 1 of 14
 Product Information Bulletin

Solution
The current service manuals for the TDS-9SA, -10SA, -10RR, -10SH, -11SA, -11SH, -11HD, and -11HP Top
Drive Drilling Systems require periodic lubrication of the upper and lower AC drilling motor bearings. The
service manual instructs the TDS customers to grease each motor in two locations, once every three
months or 1,500 operating hours, whichever occurs first.

To lubricate each point normally requires the removal of the grease access plugs, installation of the
grease fittings, removal of the grease outlet relief, greasing with a hand grease gun, and reinstallation of
the grease access plugs and reliefs.

On the TDS-11HP Top Drives, due to the accessibility of the grease inlet plug located at the upper end of
the motor being limited, the plug has been removed and installation of a tubing assembly has been
added to facilitate greasing (refer to Figure 5).

On VAR3, VAR4, XL Rigmaster, and PM AC drilling motors, the location of the grease access and grease
relief or drain plugs at the lower (drive) end of the motor have been relocated, adjacent to each other
and include nameplates for easy identification. The locations of the grease access and grease relief or
drain plugs located at the upper end of the motor have not changed and are still located 180 degrees
apart (refer to Figures 1-11). Baldor/Reliance has also enlarged the hole size for the grease and relief or
drain holes on both the upper and lower (drive) end of the motor to improve the distribution of grease.

The drilling motors that NOV uses on the top drive models noted above are supplied by Baldor/Reliance.
The drilling motor bearings are hand-greased with Chevron Black Pearl EP during the motor assembly
process, where the bracket cavity at each end of the motor is hand-filled to approximately 60 percent by
volume. The grease inlet and outlet ports are also filled with grease prior to grease plugs and grease
reliefs being installed. The final step in the motor assembly process is to perform a motor test.

When the Top Drive is delivered to the customer, the lubrication requirements are documented on the
nameplates mounted adjacent to the grease inlets on both the drive end and opposite drive ends of the
drilling motor (see Figures 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10). The grease inlet and grease outlets are marked with
stainless steel nameplates at each end of the motor. The volume of grease required and frequency of
greasing is also noted on each nameplate.

TDS-03-28/Rev G Page 2 of 14
 Product Information Bulletin

Note: The drilling motor lubrication nameplates denote the required amount of lubricant by volume.
The NOV Maintenance section of the Top Drive Service Manual denotes the required amount of
lubricant by number of pumps with grease gun. This is one area where some inconsistencies with
documentation has been identified. Since the amount of grease delivered is dependent on the type of
grease gun being used, NOV strongly recommends that rig maintenance personnel identify the grease
gun being used to lubricate the drilling motors. Also, personnel should pump grease into a calibrated
container to correlate the number of pumps to the required volume denoted on the nameplates. One
other alternative recommendation would be for customers to procure a grease meter. There are several
battery-operated grease meters on the market that have digital readouts for control of greasing and
may be used for determining number of pumps to produce the recommended volume of grease.

Caution: As these grease meters are battery-operated they may not be certified for use in a
hazardous area.

Greasing Procedure
1. Relubrication of the drilling motor with the shaft stationary and the motor warm
is recommended.

Opposite or Non-Drive End of Motor

2. Wipe all dirt from the outside of the grease inlet plugs and grease outlet relief on the opposite
side of the motor.
3. Locate the grease inlet at the top of the bearing hub, and remove the outboard grease access
plug at the upper end of the motor. Using a wire, clear any hardened grease prior to installing
the grease fitting.
4. Replace the 1/8-inch pipe plug with a grease fitting, if necessary.
5. Remove the grease outlet plugs or relief located on the opposite side of the motor of
grease fitting.
Warning: In the following step, do not overlubricate.
6. Using a manual grease gun, pump in the recommended amount of grease shown
on the nameplate.
7. Wipe away any excess grease at the grease drain or relief, and replace the plug and relief.
Note: On the grease outlets reliefs, make sure that the relief is functional (i.e. confirm cap
moves when pulled on) and not seized due to paint.

TDS-03-28/Rev G Page 3 of 14
 Product Information Bulletin

Drive End of Motor

8. Wipe all dirt from the outside of the grease inlet plugs and grease outlet relief, located adjacent
to each other.
9. Locate the grease inlet and remove the outboard grease access plug. Using a wire, clear any
hardened grease prior to installing the grease fitting.
10. Replace the 1/8-inch pipe plug with a grease fitting, if necessary.
11. Remove the grease outlet relief located on the motor adjacent to the grease fitting.
Warning: In the following step, do not overlubricate.
12. Using a manual grease gun, pump in the recommended amount of grease shown
on the nameplate.
13. Wipe away any excess grease at the grease inlet or relief. Replace the grease fitting with the
plug, and reinstall the relief fitting.
Note: On the grease outlets reliefs, make sure that the relief is functional (i.e. confirm cap
moves when pulled on) and not seized due to paint.

Greasing Procedure (For Top Drives in Extended Storage > 3 Months)

1. Repeat steps 2-13 described in the previous Greasing Procedure.

2. The Top Drive main shaft must be manually rotated a minimum of two (2) times every
three (3) months, and regreased every (9) nine months.
3. Motors are to be greased per steps 2-13 in the previous Greasing Procedure at the time of
removal from storage.

Greasing Procedure (For Spare Drilling Motors in Extended Storage > 3 Months)

1. Repeat steps 2-13 described in the previous Greasing Procedure.

2. The motor shaft must be manually rotated a minimum of 15 times every three (3) months, and
regreased every (9) nine months.
3. Motors are to be greased per steps 2-13 in the previous Greasing Procedure
at the time of removal from storage.

TDS-03-28/Rev G Page 4 of 14
 Product Information Bulletin

VAR3/4 Drilling Motors

Figure 1. View of TDS-11SA with Grease Inlet and Outlet Locations

TDS-03-28/Rev G Page 5 of 14
 Product Information Bulletin

Figure 2. Grease Locations, Drive End (VAR 3/4)

Figure 3. Grease Locations, Opposite Drive End (VAR 3/4)

TDS-03-28/Rev G Page 6 of 14
 Product Information Bulletin

Figure 4. Grease Locations, Opposite Drive End (VAR 3/4)

TDS-03-28/Rev G Page 7 of 14
 Product Information Bulletin

Grease Inlet

Figure 5. View of Tubing with Grease Inlet on TDS-11HP

TDS-03-28/Rev G Page 8 of 14
 Product Information Bulletin

XL Rigmaster (Form Wound) Drilling Motor

Figure 6. Drive End Grease Locations (XL Rigmaster Form Wound)

TDS-03-28/Rev G Page 9 of 14
 Product Information Bulletin

Inner Cap Grease Outlet Hole

Bracket Grease Opposite Drive End Bottom
Outlet Hole
Opposite Drive End
Bottom

Figure 7. Opposite Drive End Grease Locations (XL Rigmaster Form Wound)

TDS-03-28/Rev G Page 10 of 14
 Product Information Bulletin

Grease Inlet Hole Inner Cap Grease Inlet

Opposite Drive End Opposite Drive End
Top Top

Figure 8. Opposite Drive End Grease Locations (XL Rigmaster Form Wound)

TDS-03-28/Rev G Page 11 of 14
 Product Information Bulletin

Permanent Magnet (PM) Drilling Motor

Figure 9. Grease Access Plug and Relief, Drive End of PM Drilling Motor

Grease Inlet Plug

Figure 10. Grease Inlet Plug - Opposite Drive End of PM Drilling Motor

TDS-03-28/Rev G Page 12 of 14
 Product Information Bulletin

Grease Relief

Figure 11. Grease Relief-Opposite Drive End of PM Drilling Motor

TDS-03-28/Rev G Page 13 of 14
 Product Information Bulletin

Ordering and Contact Information

Please contact your local National Oilwell Varco (NOV) Service Center, with reference to Product Bulletin
TDS-03-28 (Rev G), for further assistance.

Economic Impact
No Economic implication.

Customers should also refer to previous NOV Product Bulletins for additional information related to this
issue and information regarding safe operation, maintenance, and inspection criteria by signing in to your
MYNOV account at https://portal.mynov.com and then searching with the Product Bulletin Search
available below the heading ‘Application Groups’. For information on registering, please visit
https://www.nov.com/Search/register.aspx.

Failure to follow the recommendations and/or guidance in NOV Manuals and Product Bulletins may
result in death, bodily injury or property damage.

Please contact your local National Oilwell Varco (NOV) Service Center if you have any questions regarding
this bulletin.

Revision History
Revision Date Change Description
(00 Month 0000) (vertical line to the side of a paragraph indicates a change)
- 7 November 2003 Initial release

G 12 January 2018 Revised product bulletin to incorporate lubrication requirements for

drilling motors in short and long term storage

TDS-03-28/Rev G Page 14 of 14