Inspection and Maintenance Tips for Prolonged Life of the Gearbox

To extend the operating life of your gearboxes, it is essential to conduct regular inspections and maintenance. This will save you from the daunting task of removing the gearbox for a complete inspection and overhaul.

Top Tips to Follow for Gearbox Inspection and Maintenance

A standard gearbox inspection procedure will help minimize downtime as well as ensure a long life. Here are the top tips you should follow to achieve this:

• Gearbox Ratings: Sometimes, gearboxes are installed in applications where the torque requirements, and the gearbox specifications do not match. Hence, it is important to first confirm whether the gearbox is operating within an application’s specified mechanical and thermal ratings.
• Workplace Environment: Gearboxes are often operated in a dirty and dusty environment.   It is important to minimize the effects of workplace environment on the gearbox. This can be done by keeping the factory and the area the gearbox area clean.
• Lubrication: Regular lubrication should be carried out as recommended by the manufacturer. Lubrication of the gearbox should be according to the Manufacture’s specification for lubricant type, grade, and quantity.
• Temperature/Overheating: Regularly monitor the gearbox temperature. Dark oil in the sight glass, and discolored or burnt exterior paint are signs of overheating. You can observe any sudden temperature changes using an infrared temperature gun.
• Gear/Contacts Wear: The internal gears can be inspected for wear by removing the inspection covers, or with the help of an endoscope. Observe signs of wear such as spilling or pitting of material from the surface of gear tooth. Also, check the gear teeth contacts for misalignment using engineer’s blue.
• Vibration Analysis: Most gearboxes function in a noisy environment, making it difficult to detect any variation or increase in noise from the gearbox. Thus, regular Vibration Analysis of the gears and internal bearings will help record any significant changes in the condition of the gearbox. This will eventually help prevent any unplanned production loss.

Finally, in case of any doubt, speak to a specialist. An expert can offer correct advice or support to help keep your gearbox trouble free. They will help in gearbox inspection and maintenance as well as repair and replacement.