Oilers/Plant Tenders (HHC) Civil Service Practice Exam

If a large machine is noted to have both a hand oiler and a mechanical feed lubricator, one may reasonably assume that the hand oiler _________

1. Is for advanced lubrication

2. Is for starting

3. Is for continuous operation

4. Is for emergency use

The correct answer is: Is for starting

In the context of machine lubrication, a hand oiler is typically used to provide lubrication during the initial operation phase of machinery or during specific maintenance activities. This is especially true for large machines that also have a mechanical feed lubricator, which is generally designed to provide continuous lubrication automatically during regular operation. The purpose of the hand oiler is to ensure that the machine has a sufficient amount of lubricant when it is first started or brought into operation. This initial lubrication helps to minimize wear and tear on components and ensures that everything is adequately lubricated before the machine is allowed to run continuously. Once the machine is in operation, the mechanical feed lubricator is expected to take over the task of supplying lubrication at a controlled rate. Therefore, the hand oiler serves a more manual and immediate function that aligns with starting the machine, rather than continuous operation or emergency use. By using the hand oiler to supplement the automated system, operators can ensure that lubrication is applied effectively when needed most, particularly at startup. Other options do not align as closely with the purpose of a hand oiler in this context. It is not specifically intended for advanced lubrication strategies, continuous operation, or emergencies but rather serves as an initial point of lubrication before the machine operates autonomously.