If your gearbox is not completely flushed once the oil has oxidized in the gearbox the first time, serious issues can arise. In most cases, a simple drain will leave over 15 percent of the old oil in the box. This can lead to issues trapped inside the casing. This will also leave behind several reactive chemicals that will rapidly deplete the antioxidant additives, which will leave the base oil completely unprotected.
If you are using a high duty gearbox design in New Haven, then it likely means high wear metal production and high temperature, too. The wear particles and the temperature will also accelerate the oxidation rate, especially if sludge and other types of pro-oxidants are present in the mix. This is why it is essential to flush the gearbox thoroughly prior to adding new oil.
There are several different options when it comes to system flushing that are used, based on the internal conditions of the machines and the types of contaminates that are present in the fluid system.
Recirculation Cleaning
When a clean fluid is recirculated at a high velocity for a turbulent flow, it will help to remove any contamination from the actual fluid system.
Power Flushing
An alternative to the recirculation mentioned previously is where the oil level that is in the sump will be reduced and then a higher velocity fluid is applied so that it will mechanically entrain, lift and dislodge particulate debris. The power flushing process will suspend and transport the particles, while absorbing air, water and other chemicals from the system. These contaminates will them be released into the filter.
Wand Flushing
This is a process that is used with a wand and cart hose. It is used to discharge a high amount of pressure to remove any adherent debris. The flow will then be reversed and the wand will act as a vacuum to remove the sediments that are present.
Taking the time to ensure the gearbox is working properly is essential. Part of this is to ensure that there are no left over contaminants in the gearbox when adding new oil. This will help ensure that the box will continue to work as it should and will not have issues when the new oil or lubricant is added into the system. Doing this is essential for any type or size of gearbox.
