If your gearbox breaks down, you can have a lot of costly issues on your hands, so minimizing gearbox equipment failures is vital. Not only does it cost money to repair a gearbox, but it also costs precious time you may not have to dedicate to such matters. The best thing you can do to prevent gearbox equipment failures is to run preventative maintenance on a regular basis. Here are a few tips to help you perform preventive inspections and maintenance on your gearbox equipment.
Lubrication is critical to the effectiveness and efficiency of any gearbox. You will need to maintain the proper lubrication in order to avoid equipment failure. You should fill the unit with the right amount of the proper type of lubricant. You will also need to keep the oil clean and free of foreign items and maintain a good oil flow. It is important to select the right type of lubricant based on the gear type, speed, operating temperatures, reduction ratio, load type, and other specifications. Ask a gear lubrication specialist what you need or go with what the manufacturer recommends.
It is a good idea to check your lubrication levels and efficiency on a regular basis. If a lubrication problem arises, it can cause scoring and galling failure. If you have these issues, check on lubrication first. If you do not fix the problem soon, you could see the gear’s tooth degrade. Eventually, the only thing you can do is replace the gearbox completely.
Every gearbox has a certain amount of vibration, but that vibration is different when it is working well from when the machine is failing. The vibration profile can rise and when it does, that could mean several different things. Record how much your gearbox vibrates so you are able to notice any sudden changes.
If your gearbox starts vibrating more than normal, it could be caused by an imbalance. The imbalance is created in the center and can cause other faults to occur. Misalignment is a common side effect of vibration. If vibration issues are not fixed quickly, they can lead to gear damage, fractures, broken teeth, and other, more costly problems. Small vibration may not seem like an issue, but it can lead to larger problems that will eventually cause your gearbox to completely fail.
By identifying the reasons for equipment failure while they are still small, you will be more able to fix them before they cause a failure. The best thing to do is to set up a regular preventative maintenance program to inspect all of the important aspects of your gearbox equipment. If you decide to run the maintenance yourself, make a detailed list of what you need to check. Keep a calendar of these items and stick to the schedule. The gearbox will run more efficiently for longer if you are careful about your preventative maintenance. You can also outsource the maintenance by allowing experts who know about your particular gearbox to handle these duties.
At Amarillo Gear Service, we work with our clients to ensure their gearboxes remain operational for the duration of their intended lifespan. We ensure that every unit we refurbish or repair leaves our facilities in near-new condition. If we notice potential causes of failure during the repair stage, we notify clients immediately. The result is that many of our gearboxes perform better once they are returned and are less prone to damage and further problems.
Call us today at (806) 622-1273 for more information about our repair services. You can also Contact Us by email and view the regions we service. We provide services for clients around the world and our reputation for quality workmanship is one we know you will be happy to rely on. We will be happy to give you the answers you need to ensure your operations don’t come to a halt because your gearbox stops working.
