You can’t run a machine efficiently or effectively without the right gearbox. And to keep your machine operating at peak performance, you will need to perform regular maintenance on the gearbox. Whether it’s replacing worn out parts or performing routine maintenance, you need to do it properly to ensure your gearbox will last for a long time.
Minimise Environmental Impact
Keeping gearboxes clean is important for many reasons. Gearbox inspection ports should be free of dirt, dust, and debris. Inspect filter elements and magnetic debris collectors as well. Store your gearbox on a solid foundation in a dry, low-humidity area to keep it in good condition and to reduce your chances of breakage.
Regular Inspections
A regular inspection can help you identify the onset of issues and minor concerns. It enables you to take appropriate, timely actions that lead to preserving operational efficiency by resolving them significantly. Looking for oil leaking from output or input shafts will be one such concern, as well as discolouration on paint that might signal overheating. Additionally, check for excessive vibration, indicating an issue with the gearbox itself.
Keep It Lubricated
Maintenance is more than just looking for oil leaks and applying the appropriate type of oil. For example, an industrial gearbox should be checked for the correct amount of lubricant, which may vary depending on the season and temperature. In addition, a person should look for signs of oil leaks at the shaft seal and measure the oil pressure. On top of that, a person should also measure the sight glass to ensure there is enough oil.
Temperature of the Gearbox
The gearbox is sensitive to heat, so it is important to not only monitor the temperature inside but also what is happening in the environment. You can use an infrared gun to monitor the temperature in your gearbox and ensure that it remains at a consistent and safe level. If you notice a sudden change in temperature, such as an increase or decrease, this may be a sign of a serious problem.
Backlash And Shaft End Play
It can be difficult to determine if your gears and bearings need to be replaced. Use a dial indicator to make this determination. If there is an increase in backlash, it may be due to wear on the teeth of the gears or other factors that cannot be seen by the naked eye. If there is an increase in shaft end play or lift, it could be due to wear within the rolling elements of the bearings or even wear in the bearing housings.
Check the Gearbox Rating
Make sure your gearbox is operating within its manufacturer’s specifications for both mechanical and thermal ratings. If it isn’t, you could be asking for trouble with misused gearboxes. Gearboxes can be pushed beyond their design specifications if they have increased input power.
Conclusion
It is important to stay on top of maintenance for industrial machinery. There are actually many factors that can affect the efficiency of an industrial gearbox. From the type of oil used to the number of hours the gearbox is used each day, there are many things that could cause a problem.
It is important to keep track of all of these factors so that you can keep your industrial gearbox up to date. This can save you a lot of money and effort in the long run. We hope that you enjoyed our blog on top maintenance tips for an industrial gearbox.