Machinery does not always operate in dry, clean and/or cool environments. They run in the harsh conditions of steel mills and manufacturing plants. This makes selecting industrial gear oils challenging.
Four Factors to Consider
Industrial gear oils must perform optimally no matter what. The choice depends upon knowing these specifics:
- Environment: The environment in which a machine operates influences what type of oil will function best. If the temperature is hot or cold, the choice of lubricant needs to reflect this.
- Loads and Pressures: For light loads, you require different additives, e. g. a friction modifier, than those needed to address heavier loads, e. g. an anti-wear additive.
- Gearbox Size: The trend in industries is toward smaller gearboxes. However, they are expected to deliver as much if not more than their larger counterpart. Lubricants and additives must address this disparity.
- Contaminants: Dirt, water and other foreign matter can damage the gears of machinery. One job of lubricants is to remove them. The type and amount expected need to be reflected in the choice of industrial gear oil.
Why Choose the Right Gear Oil?
Whether a gearbox is small or large, it requires a lubricant capable of meeting the increased and challenging performance demands. This means companies carefully select the right industrial gear oils. This ensures maintaining the ultimate goals of lubricant thermally stability, improved protection against corrosion and other disruptive and destructive elements, and clean systems. The result is machinery that protects effectively, lasts longer and performs more effectively and efficiently.
