Falk Gearbox Maintenance: Synthetic Or Petroleum Lubricants?

Falk Gearbox Maintenance: Synthetic Or Petroleum Lubricants?

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The base fluid holds the main difference between petroleum and synthetic lubricants. Crude oil is the basic ingredient in petroleum lubricants, while synthetic lubricants may have any number of base fluids, depending on the aims of the scientists who combine chemicals to create synthetic lubricants in laboratories. As you can imagine, the synthetic development process is far pricier than the cost of extruding ingredients from crude oil.

Before the advent of synthetic lubricants in the 1950s, every Falk gear reducer, motor and other industrial mechanical part had to be oiled with petroleum-based lubricants. Now, however, those who maintain even one Falk gearbox can choose from a wide range of lubricants. However, some kind of grease or oil is definitely required. Sans lubrication, gearbox repairs will inescapably be needed. For a gearbox or Falk gear reducer, lubrication is as important as water is to a fish or as oxygen is to a person. Any gear system will sputter out and die without lubrication.

To help you select the best lubricants for your industrial application, we evaluate the differences between petroleum and synthetic lubricants below.

Petroleum Lubrication

Because petroleum lubricants are significantly cheaper than synthetic lubricants, it's smart to use them when achieving a low cost is critical, such as:

When lubrication will run through machinery only once. If your equipment lacks a lubricant reservoir, inexpensive petroleum lubricant is a good choice. Likewise, if your process contaminates the lubricant, you'll want to select the lower-priced petroleum option.

Extremely dirty or dusty operations. Although the oil in a car engine is designed to suspend dirt and dust, this is not the case for industrial synthetic or petroleum situations. Because more lubrication will be required in very dirty locations, low-cost petroleum lubrication usually makes the most sense. In general, a Falk gear reducer or Falk gearbox that churns through lubricant should generally receive petroleum lubrication to limit costs.

Synthetic Lubrication

Because they are custom designed, synthetic lubricants do bring numerous benefits that petroleum lubricants can't offer. Of course, you'll pay more for the features listed below - a synthetic product can cost up to five times more than petroleum lubricant.

Increased resistance to fire. Synthetics burn at a higher temperature than oil-based lubricants, so they are less likely to burst into flames during operation.

Elevated operating speeds. Fire resistance makes synthetics better for high-speed operations, which risk sparking infernos if a Falk gearbox or other component runs too fast.

Reduced fuel expenses. Synthetic lubricants generally run more smoothly than their oil-based counterparts. A reduction in heat and friction usually results in lower fuel costs, since less horsepower is needed to run the system.

Reduced deposits and delayed lubrication changes. Less waste is deposited by synthetic lubricants, since they are stable at elevated temperatures. With fewer deposits, equipment managers can stretch out the time between lubrication drains for each Falk gear reducer.

Heavy loads, extremely cold or hot environments and near-continuous operations are also ideal applications for synthetic lubricants. Heavy loads run more smoothly with synthetic lubricants. Plant climate can be offset by synthetics, which are stable in extreme temperatures. And with fewer lubrication changes, plants will generally see less downtime with synthetic lubrication.

To maximize the efficiency of your Falk gear reducer, arrange a full oil analysis, including spectrometric analysis and physical testing.

About the Author:
The correct lubrication of a Falk gear reducer can not only extend the life of your industrial gearbox, but can help you avoid costly gearbox repairs. Visit www.MarDustrial.com, the website for Mar-Dustrial Sales, Inc. to learn more about maintaining your Falk gearbox.



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