Conducting a full Marley™ gearbox inspection to see if your equipment needs maintenance may seem expensive and time consuming, but it is well worth the cost. Just like every other type of mechanical failure, catastrophic gearbox failure will inevitably cost more money and time than the inspection that could have prevented it. Coupled with the risk of injury and damage to other equipment, it is easy to justify the need for regular gearbox maintenance. It is important to understand how to inspect your Marley™ gearbox to see if it needs maintenance and how to monitor your gearbox.
This is the first step to successful Marley™ gearbox inspection. You should be prepared to note the results of each visual inspection on a specific form. Before you open the inspection port on the gearbox, note any important data that will be missed after the cleaning process is complete. For example, look for evidence of any movement such as cracking paint.
You should include some preventative checks for overheating in your visual inspection. For example, note discolored paint or low or dark oil in the sight glass. Beyond that initial visual inspection, dig a little deeper to check for temperature issues. When you spray water on the housing, does it boil or evaporate quickly? Do you notice any smoke coming from the seals? Use an infrared thermometer to check the housing on your Marley™ gearbox and measure oil temperatures as well.
Before removing the port cover, inspect it thoroughly. Note whether the bolts are loose and examine closely for any leakage. Once you have documented the inspection port cover status, clean it carefully and then remove it. This step must be done carefully so you do not contaminate the interior of your Marley™ gearbox. Take a close look at the interior conditions. How do your shafts and bearings look? Take a lubricant sample, being careful to fully flush the tube extension and sample components first.
If you have noted any damage to gears or bearings, but are still working with a functional gearbox, the next step is careful monitoring. Management concerns over shutdown costs will not disappear now that there is a documented problem. However, monitoring the progression of the damage will help to protect human life and equipment, and reduce further maintenance costs down the road.
Amarillo Gear Service is a division of Amarillo Gear Company, which has been in continuous operation since 1917. The name “Amarillo” has become a global benchmark for quality gears and drives that companies rely upon. For more information about Marley™ gearbox maintenance, give us a call at (806) 622-1273. You can also Contact Us via email and view the regions we service.
