Service & maintenance
Your gearbox is sending signals. How to spot a failure before it happens
Most gearbox failures announce themselves in advance. What to look for during routine inspections and when to act before the line stops.
A gearbox rarely fails overnight. In most cases the problem shows up weeks in advance – as a change in sound, temperature or oil condition. If you catch these signals early, you can schedule the repair for a shutdown instead of an emergency call in the middle of a shift.
Listen and touch
New noise, whining or knocking at start-up are often the first signs of bearing or gear wear. Housing temperature matters just as much. If the gearbox runs hotter than usual under the same load, something inside is increasing friction. A simple infrared thermometer and regular readings are enough to see the difference.
The oil tells you more than you think
Dark oil, metal particles on the magnetic plug or foam in the sight glass mean something is happening inside. A lab oil analysis is inexpensive and shows whether it is normal ageing of the oil or the beginning of damage. Leaks around the shafts lead to oil loss and overheating.
Vibration as an early warning
Vibration measurement detects bearing damage before you can hear it. For critical drives, it pays to measure regularly and watch the trend. A single measurement says little; a rising curve says a lot.
When to act
Once several signals appear at the same time or readings deteriorate quickly, it is time to plan an intervention. Dismantling, diagnostics and a workshop repair take less time than waiting for a new gearbox after a breakdown. For critical drives, keep a replacement unit ready or at least a proven replacement procedure.
We provide diagnostics, dismantling, repair and reinstallation of gearboxes and drives. If needed, we also supply replacement or new equipment.
