Gearbox oil change procedure

What’s inside

1. 1

   Check the oil grade and quantity

   Check the specified oil type, viscosity grade and fill quantity on the gearbox nameplate or manual, and have the new oil and seals ready before stopping the machine.

   Verification5 min

   Tools: Gearbox manual, new oil, drain plug seals

2. 2

   Run the gearbox to warm the oil

   If it is safe and practical, run the gearbox under normal load before stopping so the oil is warm and debris is in suspension. Warm oil drains faster and more completely.

   Action15 minoptional
3. 3

   Isolate the drive

   Stop the machine and isolate and lock out the motor following your lockout / tagout procedure. Check the drive cannot start.

   Action10 min

   Tools: Lockout devices

   Risks: Unexpected start-up of the drive; hot gearbox housing.

4. 4

   Take an oil sample

   Optional: before draining, draw a sample from the middle of the oil volume through the sampling point or with a vacuum pump into a clean bottle, and label it for analysis.

   Action10 minoptional

   Tools: Clean sample bottle, vacuum sampling pump, labels

5. 5

   Drain the oil

   Open the filler or breather to let air in, remove the drain plug and drain the oil into a suitable container until it stops flowing.

   Action20 min

   Tools: Drain pan, spanners, absorbent

   Risks: Hot oil causes burns; let it cool to a safe temperature if in doubt. Spilled oil is a slip hazard.

6. 6

   Inspect the magnetic plug and debris

   Inspect the magnetic drain plug and the last of the oil. A fine grey paste is normal; flakes, chips or larger particles point to gear or bearing wear and must be reported.

   Inspection10 min

   Tools: Lint-free cloth, torch

7. 7

   Flush the gearbox if specified

   Only if the manufacturer specifies it or the oil was badly contaminated, flush with the recommended flushing oil and drain again. Never use solvents or diesel.

   Action20 minoptional

   Tools: Flushing oil

8. 8

   Refit the drain plug and refill

   Clean the magnetic plug, refit it with a new seal and tighten to torque. Refill with the specified oil through a clean funnel or filter pump up to the level mark, without overfilling.

   Action20 min

   Tools: Torque wrench, clean funnel or filter transfer pump, new oil

9. 9

   Check the breather

   Clean or replace the breather. A blocked breather pressurises the housing and pushes oil past the seals.

   Inspection5 min

   Tools: Replacement breather

10. 10

    Restart and check for leaks

    Remove the locks following your lockout procedure and run the gearbox. Check plugs and shaft seals for leaks and listen for unusual noise; after stopping and settling, recheck the oil level.

    Verification15 min

    Risks: Keep clear of rotating shafts and couplings while checking.

11. 11

    Record the change and dispose of used oil

    Record the date, oil grade and quantity, sample reference and magnetic plug findings. Dispose of used oil and rags as hazardous waste.

    Action10 min

Reviews

No review yet.

Reviews come from companies that imported this template. Comments are checked before they are shown.

More templates for this equipment

• ProcedureOfficial FreeMaint

  Electric motor bearing greasing procedure

  Regrease the bearings of an electric motor: check grease type and quantity on the nameplate, clean the nipple, open the drain, grease without overfilling, run to expel the excess, close the drain and record.

  9 stepsMotors and rotating machinery

• ProcedureOfficial FreeMaint

  V-belt replacement and tensioning procedure

  Replace the V-belts of a belt drive: isolate, inspect pulley grooves, fit a matched set, align the pulleys, tension by the deflection method, refit the guard and re-tension after the run-in period.

  11 stepsMotors and rotating machinery

• PM planOfficial FreeMaint

  Electric motor six-monthly preventive maintenance plan

  Six-monthly plan for a low-voltage induction motor: vibration, temperatures and phase currents checked running, cooling fins cleaned, bearings greased where regreasable, and a yearly check of the terminal box and of the winding insulation.

  9 tasksMotors and rotating machinery