The current status of heavy-duty open gear drive lubrication

Since the enactment of environmental regulations in North America and other regions of the world affecting the use of chlorinated solvents, and the disposal of used lubricants, the practice of lubricating heavy-duty open gear motor drives has been in a state of evolution. One result of these changes is the proliferation of new lubricants professing to be environmentally more acceptable. This, in turn, has burdened gear manufacturers with the need to sanction the use of lubricants which exhibit nontraditional physical and performance characteristics. In many cases this has led to confusion at the end-user level. Another result has been the rationalization by lubricant suppliers and gear manufacturers that the physical and performance differences between the older, more traditional products, and these next generation products, demands re-education at the end-user level. At a minimum, lubricant usage, the monitoring of drive performance, and overall drive maintenance practices must be addressed. This paper attempts to draw a more clear picture of the current state of heavy duty open gear drive lubrication, realizing this remains somewhat a topic of great debate.