High-performance gear oil for industrial gearbox applications
Enclosed gears are generally contained within a gearbox or some other device in which the gears can be bathed or showered with a fluid lubricant. Gears present a different challenge than other lubricant applications. In non-gear applications, the moving surfaces are in sliding or rolling motion, while gear teeth experience both rolling and sliding motion at the same time. In addition to lubricating the gear teeth, the gear oil must also protect the bearings within the box. Further, industrial gearboxes are expected to perform under conditions of high heat and heavy loads; and in environments often contaminated with dirt, process debris and water. Without adequate protection, gears and bearings will wear prematurely. You’ll have to replace parts more frequently, change oil more frequently, and worst of all, you’ll experience equipment downtime. To combat difficult conditions, LE offers an array of lubricants specially formulated for enclosed industrial gearbox applications.
Three essential attributes when selecting gear oil
Gear oil is made up of two critical components: base oil and additives. Additives impart desirable properties and suppress undesirable ones. The additive package is the backbone of the lubricant’s performance, and a strong backbone will provide the performance and protection you need. When selecting gear oil, there are three essential attributes to consider:
One – The gear oil must remain thermally stable and not oxidize at high temperatures, thus avoiding the creation of sludge or varnish. Keeping the oil from oxidizing will lengthen drain and replacement intervals. As a general rule of thumb, for every 18 degrees F (10 degrees C) increase in fluid temperature above 140°F (60°C), oxidation will reduce the service life of a lubricant by half.
Two – If you have an enclosed gearbox application that is heavily loaded or subject to shock loading, you need gear oil with extreme pressure properties. Gear oil with an EP additive will protect the gear surfaces against extreme pressures.
Three – Gear oil must fight contamination that enters the system, especially water. The oil must be able to demulsify, which allows for easy removal of the water from the gearbox.
Look for products that contain Duolec.
Duolec® is LE’s proprietary liquid, dual-acting anti-wear and extreme pressure additive technology. The result of revolutionary technology designed specifically for use in LE gear lubricants, Duolec is a thermally activated additive that imparts synergistic properties to the lubricant. If you are interested in less downtime and fewer parts replacements. Learn more about Duolec .
Read Duolec Customer Success Story
Learn how a Connecticut paper company was able to eliminate bearing failures and reduce energy consumption by using Duolec Vari-Purpose Gear Lubricant (now called Duolec Industrial Gear Oil).
Gear Oils (EP)
Duolec Industrial Gear Oil (1601-1610, 1302, 1304)
Duolec® Industrial Gear Oil was formulated specifically for lubricating gearboxes. It is known for its tenacious metal-clinging, gear-climbing action. The backbone of this gear oil is Duolec, LE’s proprietary dual-acting additive that provides both wear-reducing and extreme pressure protection. The result of revolutionary technology designed specifically for use in LE gear lubricants, Duolec increases oil film strength and is temperature-activated to provide a protective layer that smooths metal surfaces and minimizes the effects of any contact, thereby reducing friction and preventing surface wear. And, as a liquid additive, Duolec will not be filtered out of the lubricant.
Duolec Vari-Purpose Gear Lubricant Features
- Contains EP properties to combat heavy loads
- Stays thermally stable, resists oxidation & sludge formation
- Separates readily from water
- Maintains film strength & viscosity
- Remains tacky, clings to gears
- Contains no solids that can be removed during filtration
Duolec Syn Gear Lubricant (9808-9868)
Duolec® Syn Gear Lubricant is formulated with 100 percent synthetic base fluid to ensure excellent high- and low-temperature performance. The synthetic base fluid also provides oxidation stability, which contributes to long lubricant life and a reduction in costly lubricant changeovers. Duolec Syn Gear Lubricant can withstand incredible loads and stresses from heavy-duty applications such as pulverizer gear units. It provides uninterrupted operation and long service life for these types of expensive gear applications, including those that are exposed to temperature extremes. Duolec Syn Gear Lubricant works to prevent deposit formations in high-temperature applications and will not break down over time. The lubricant also provides exceptional low-temperature flow properties, protecting gears during the coldest startups.
Duolec PAG Gear Lubricant (9705-9707)
LE’s Duolec® PAG Gear Lubricant is a PAG gear oil that has been specially formulated for the ultimate in corrosion resistance, wear protection and thermal stability. Polyalkylene glycol (PAG) lubricants are synthetic formulations known for their high viscosity index, extreme pressure (EP) properties, and ability to handle temperature extremes. Duolec PAG Gear Lubricant is an excellent choice for lubricating a variety of bearings and gears – particularly worm gears – as well as other equipment operating under extreme conditions.
Gear Oils (R & O)
Multilec Industrial Oil (6801-6807)
Multilec® Industrial Oil is one of LE’s most versatile industrial gear oils and can be used in a wide variety of applications such as air compressors, air line oilers, bearings, blowers, circulating systems, cranes, gearboxes, hydraulics, industrial turbines, and vacuum pumps. Multilec is a heavy-duty, long-lasting formulation featuring a balanced blend of premium base oil and robust additives, including rust and oxidation inhibitors and Monolec®, LE’s exclusive wear-reducing additive. This nonfoaming turbine-quality oil provides superior resistance to heat, oxidation and moisture. It is designed to prolong equipment life by combating the effects of high temperatures, water, contaminants and heavy loads.
Monolec Synthetic Industrial Oil (9032-9150 & 9220-9460)
Monolec® Syn Industrial Oil is a versatile synthetic lubricant that meets or exceeds the requirements of gearboxes, air compressors, vacuum pumps, hydraulic systems, and roll mill bearings found in the textile, plastic, rubber and paper industries. It is formulated with high-viscosity 100 percent synthetic base oil and a specially developed additive package for applications running at extreme temperatures. The additive package provides outstanding thermal stability and rust and oxidation resistance as well as wear resistance as pressures and temperatures rise. A foam suppressant completes the package. The base oil and additive formulation works synergistically to reduce wear, extend oil drain intervals, reduce oil consumption, and practically eliminate deposits and sludge formation, all while providing excellent compatibility with seals.
Almasol Pure Mineral Gear Lubricant (401)
Some gearbox manufacturers specify a “pure” or “straight” mineral oil gear lubricant. This means it should not contain chemically active EP additives, although it may still contain various other highly desirable additives. LE’s Almasol® Pure Mineral Gear Lubricant is a balanced formulation of high VI base oils, rust and oxidation inhibitors, and other additives – including Almasol®, LE’s exclusive wear-reducing additive – that provide the highest level of wear reduction possible without the use of a chemically active EP agent.
Food Grade Gear Oil
H1 Quinplex White Gear Oil (4090-4250)
H1 Quinplex® White Gear Oil is NSF H1 registered for incidental food contact. This extremely pure, nonstaining, odorless, tasteless, non-irritating lubricant can be used with confidence where incidental food contact or staining can occur. H1 Quinplex White Gear Lubricant was designed for use in heavily loaded food processing gear applications – including worm gears – that call for an anti-wear, R & O lubricant capable of preventing corrosion. It contains a blend of mineral and synthetic base stocks to provide superior protection at a variety of operating temperatures. For good metal adhesion, it also contains tackifiers, including Quinplex®, LE’s proprietary impact-resistant additive that contributes to outstanding water resistance, tackiness and enhanced mechanical stability.
H1 Quinplex Syn FG Gear OIL (4150-4460)
Recommended for a variety of gearboxes and other critical applications in food and beverage manufacturing facilities, H1 Quinplex® Syn FG Gear Oil (4150-4460) is NSF H1 registered for incidental food contact and was formulated to withstand severe loading conditions and prevent rust and corrosion. H1 Quinplex Syn FG Gear Oil contains 100 percent synthetic base stock to provide superior protection in extreme high and low temperatures. It also offers great seal compatibility and excellent nonfoaming qualities. Its anti-wear capability differentiates it from many other white oils on the market. To ensure good metal adhesion, it contains a shear stable polymeric tackifier system including Quinplex®, LE’s proprietary impact-resistant additive. H1 Quinplex Syn FG Gear Oil helps factories avoid unplanned downtime and expensive repairs by providing longlasting, reliable protection that keeps critical equipment running in extreme temperatures.
Worm Gear Oils
Almasol Worm Gear Lubricant (460 & 680)
Worm gears generally operate under boundary lubrication conditions at high operating temperatures under heavy loads. Extreme pressure additives are often used in worm gear applications. In the past, sulfur-phosphorous EP additives would react with the bronze gear, but the newer EP additive technology used in LE’s formulations minimizes this problem. Most worm gears require ISO VG 460 – AGMA Class 7 and higher.
Almasol® Worm Gear Lubricant is blended with stable lubricity additives and LE’s proprietary additive Almasol® to reduce friction and provide protection in a wide temperature range. It protects bronze bull gears from excessive wear in enclosed worm gearboxes, providing superior oxidation resistance in high-temperature applications where extreme pressure (EP) gear lubricants cannot be used.
Other LE gear oils that may work for specific worm gear applications include:
To learn more about our gear oils and related lubricant reliability products and services, please contact us today.
