What are the differences in lubricating oil requirements for different types of reducers?

The differences in lubricating oil requirements of different types of reducers are mainly determined by four core factors: transmission structure, working condition parameters, sealing form, and installation method. The specific differences can be listed according to the following dimensions:

1. Distinguished by transmission type

Gear reducer (such as cylindrical gear, bevel gear, helical gear reducer): It is necessary to focus on load-bearing and wear resistance, and medium/heavy-load industrial gear oil (L-CKC/L-CKD is preferred) series), the viscosity needs to match the gear module and operating speed; select high-viscosity oil (460#, 680#) for heavy-duty gears with large module and low speed (such as crane reducers), and low-viscosity oil (150#, 220#) for high speed and small load.

Worm gear reducer: Most worm gears are made of copper. It is necessary to avoid the active sulfur additives in the oil from corroding the copper parts. Special worm gear oil (L-CKE/P series) or gear oil without extreme pressure additives; and because the worm drive has large sliding friction and generates a lot of heat, the oil must have excellent shear resistance and heat dissipation properties.

Planetary reducer: The transmission structure is compact and the tooth surface contact stress is extremely high. The lubricating oil is required to have extreme pressure anti-wear and micropitting properties. Synthetic gear oil (such as PAO base oil) is preferred. The viscosity grade is adjusted according to the reduction ratio and output torque.

2. Distinguish according to working condition parameters

Load difference: Light-load reducers (such as those used in small conveying equipment) can use ordinary medium-load gear oil; heavy-load and impact-load reducers (such as metallurgy and mining equipment) need to use heavy-load gear oil (L-CKD), or special oil with extreme pressure additives added.

Temperature difference: High-temperature working conditions (such as next to a kiln, continuous long-term operation) require the use of synthetic oil with high viscosity index and strong oxidation resistance to avoid rapid oxidation and deterioration of the oil; low-temperature working conditions (such as outdoor low-temperature environments) require the use of low-freezing point gear oil with good low-temperature fluidity to prevent insufficient lubrication during startup.

Speed ​​difference: High-speed reducers (such as motor-direct-connected high-speed reducers) require low-viscosity oil to reduce stirring resistance and temperature rise; low-speed reducers (such as low-speed and high-torque output types) require high-viscosity oil to ensure the thickness of the oil film on the tooth surface.

3. Distinguish according to installation and sealing forms

Oil bath lubrication vs circulating lubrication: Oil bath lubricated reducers have high requirements for the anti-foaming properties of the oil to prevent foaming during operation, which may lead to falsely high oil levels and lubrication failure; circulating lubricated reducers (such as large heavy-duty equipment) can use oil with better fluidity and cooperate with the cooling system to control the oil temperature.

Differences in sealing performance: Old-fashioned reducers with poor sealing performance need to use oil with a slightly higher viscosity to reduce leakage; reducers with good sealing (such as IP65 protection level) can flexibly select viscosity according to working conditions.

Differences in installation methods: vertically installed reducers need to use oil with strong adhesion to prevent lubricating oil from being lost due to gravity, resulting in insufficient lubrication of the upper gear/bearing; horizontally installed reducers have relatively low oil adhesion requirements.

4. Distinguish according to special application scenarios

Food-grade reducers (such as those used in food processing and pharmaceutical equipment): Food-grade lubricants (NSF H1 certified) must be used to ensure that products will not be contaminated in the event of leakage.

Explosion-proof reducer (such as used in chemical industry and coal mine): It is necessary to use oil with good antistatic properties to prevent the accumulation of static electricity from causing safety hazards.

Small micro-reducers (such as those used in precision instruments): Grease lubrication is often used, and lithium-based or polyurea-based grease is required, which requires high cleanliness and no impurities.