Gear Oil

Why Synthetic Lubricants are the Best Gear Oils for all Machines

Most machines have gears that facilitate the movement of parts and energy that performs useful work. The gears perform best when they have been lubricated with gear oil that forms a thin layer between metal surfaces to reduce friction and facilitate smooth rotation.

Choosing a suitable gear oil

Gear manufacturers often give generic instructions on the type of oils you can use on your gearbox. This makes it hard for ordinary users to discern the best lubricant for a particular application. However, the three parameters of viscosity, type of base oil, and additives are good indicators of the quality of a lubricant.

The lubricant you select should be within the viscosity grade indicated by the manufacturer. There are several types of additives used in making lubricants. For the best experience, check if the manufacturer has recommended certain additives or excluded some for a particular gear model. Base oils can be made from minerals or synthetic. Mineral oils have high viscosity, while synthetics are more resistant to thermal degradation and oxidation.

Why choose synthetic oils?

Synthetic gear oils have superior protection against wear and give better performance in extreme temperatures than mineral oils. They also increase the fuel efficiency of your machines by making gears function optimally for a long period. This saves you the cost of replacing parts and equipment after a few months.

Synthetics are especially useful for heavy duty work because they are manufactured from very stable base oils. They are designed to work in very demanding environments and have superb load carrying capacity while working under extreme pressure.

While there is consensus that synthetic lubricants outperforms conventional mineral oils, critics often argue that they are not environmentally friendly. However, new generation synthetics are not only ecofriendly but also reduce fuel consumption, last longer, and generate minimal waste.