16/08/2015 by Mark
Choosing the correct industrial gear oil to use in a manufacturing environment is never an easy task. This is because factors in the machinery’s surroundings can vary so much, and making the right choice of industrial gear oil does depend a lot on the conditions it will be faced with.
There are a number of different factors that can impact upon the functionality of impact gear oil lubricants. These include:
Harsh environments
Even if you carry out regular lubricant maintenance, if your lubricant of choice is subjected to tough conditions, such as high temperatures, heavier than usual loads, undue pressure and chemical contamination, it can degrade and compromise your machinery as a result.
This is why it is so important that you choose a high quality modern impact gear oil lubricant made by the likes of Shell, Mobil or Fuchs, who have formulated their oils in such a way that they can handle harsher environments than older oils and oils from less reputable brands.
The size of your gearbox
Modern gearboxes tend to be lighter and smaller than older ones. Although this should mean that you do not need to use as much oil to keep things moving smoothly, it is also the case that these smaller gearboxes have to handle a lot, which can cause them to produce high temperatures.
To offset the impact of high temperatures, which can cause sludge to form and machinery to break, it is important to choose an oil that can handle extreme heat. Typically, synthetic oils do better in hotter conditions than mineral oils, but it is always a good idea to check with professionals before committing to an industrial gear oil.
Selecting your oil
When selecting your oil, you should endeavour to buy the highest quality available to you on your budget. It is also a good idea to stick to well-known brands such as Shell if you want to ensure you are getting the quality your machinery deserves.
Clean
You should also look for a fluid that does not take too long to dissipate heat and remove contaminants as this will keep your gearbox cleaner that it would be otherwise, going some way to removing the issues caused by excessive heat in new systems.
Less viscosity
It is also a good idea to choose an industrial gear oil which is not too viscous as this kind of oil tends to generate more heat, which in turn will cause more contamination to your machinery, causing it to wear down very quickly.
You may also interested in:
Fuchs releases zero-carbon oil in world first
The world’s largest independent manufacturer of oils, fluids and greases, Fuchs Lubricants, has made a landmark achievement through one of its sub-brands.
Castrol speaks out on 2026 Formula One fluids
With the 2026 Formula One World Championship well underway, leading lubricant company Castrol recently addressed fresh challenges for fluid manufacturers supporting the sport.