What does it actually mean to “flush” a lubrication system? And how do you know whether the flush you’re planning will actually solve the problem?

In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with flushing expert Larry Jordan of Conquest Services to break down the different types of equipment flushing, why the right approach depends on what you’re trying to remove, and why simply circulating oil through a filter cart may not be enough.

Larry draws on nearly four decades of field experience to explain the differences between particulate flushing, varnish mitigation, conversion flushing, and other cleaning strategies. He and Wes also dig into the importance of flow velocity and turbulence, why Larry targets a Reynolds number of at least 10,000 for particulate removal, and why critical components often need to be bypassed during a high-velocity flush.

You’ll learn about:

• Why “flushing” has become a catch-all term for very different processes
• How particulate, varnish, and conversion flushes differ
• Why turbulent flow alone may not be enough to remove contaminants
• The role of Reynolds number, velocity, viscosity, and temperature in an effective flush
• Why bearings, servo valves, and other critical components may need to be bypassed
• How solvency enhancers can help remove varnish without high-velocity flushing
• Why equipment history and oil analysis should guide the flushing plan
• When bringing in a specialized flushing provider can save time, money, and headaches

Whether you’re preparing for a major turnaround, dealing with contamination after a failure, addressing varnish, or simply trying to determine whether a system really needs to be flushed, this conversation provides a practical framework for choosing the right approach.

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What if the biggest problem with CMMS isn’t the technology, but how people actually use it?

In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes Cash sits down with UpKeep founder Ryan Chan to talk about where CMMS came from, where it’s headed and how emerging technology is changing the way maintenance teams capture information, analyze data and get work done.

Ryan shares how his own experience with cumbersome, desktop-based maintenance software led to the creation of UpKeep, and why putting technicians first can make the difference between useful maintenance data and another digital filing cabinet. The conversation also looks ahead at AI, voice interfaces, connected technicians and what these tools could mean for reliability over the next decade.

You’ll learn about:

• Why traditional CMMS workflows often struggle with technician adoption
• How better usability can lead to better maintenance data
• Why collecting more data doesn’t automatically create more value
• How AI can help teams make sense of years of maintenance history
• Where AI can support RCA, FMEA, diagnosis and decision-making
• How voice-driven inspections are already changing maintenance workflows
• Why the connected technician may be closer than many plants realize
• What maintenance teams can do now instead of waiting for the “perfect” technology

Whether your plant is still working from paper, already experimenting with AI or somewhere in between, this conversation offers a practical look at how CMMS technology is evolving and why the people using it still matter most.

Learn about this episode's sponsor at https://www.assetwatch.com/get-started?utm_source=noria&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast-ads-wes&utm_term=q1-2026&utm_content=get-started

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How can maintenance and reliability teams turn training and certification into real improvement across the plant? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with Matt Spurlock, PhD, of Georgia-Pacific, to talk about the connection between lubrication certification, leadership, trust, and organizational commitment.

Drawing from 30 years of experience in oil analysis and lubrication, along with doctoral research focused on MLT-certified professionals, Matt shares what his findings reveal about how certified employees view their leaders and what actually helps technical knowledge turn into action. While training and certification remain critical for building frontline knowledge and technical credibility, the conversation points to a bigger issue: leaders have to trust their people, listen to their recommendations, and create the conditions for trained employees to use what they know.

From the difference between management and leadership to the role of trust, empowerment, and technical credibility, this episode explores why reliability programs need both skilled people and strong leadership to succeed.

You’ll learn about:

• Why certification is valuable for frontline lubrication professionals
• How technical credibility differs from leadership ability
• What Matt’s research found about certified leaders and employee commitment
• Why trust plays such a major role in reliability program success
• The difference between managing processes and leading people
• Why leaders need to listen to the people closest to the equipment
• How training can lose impact when employees are not empowered to act
• Why strong reliability programs require both technical skill and leadership behavior

Whether you’re leading a maintenance team, managing a lubrication program, or working on the front lines of reliability, this episode offers practical insight into how organizations can make training and certification more effective by pairing them with trust, leadership, and follow-through.

Learn about this episode's sponsor at https://www.assetwatch.com/get-started?utm_source=noria&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast-ads-wes&utm_term=q1-2026&utm_content=get-started

Missed an episode of Gear Talk? Check out the playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4

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