
If a gear drive operates in a typical indoor environment where
the ambient temperature is within 70°F to 125°F (21°C to
52°C), the oil viscosity should be increased one AGMA grade
above that shown for the 50°F to 125°F(10°C to 52°C) range.
That is, an AGMA Number 6 or 7 should be substituted for a 5
or 6 respectively, under this ambient condition.
OIL PUMPS — When selecting a lubricant for a gear drive
equipped with an oil pump, cold temperature oil viscosity is
important. Lubricant viscosity at start-up generally should not
exceed 1725 cSt (8,000 SSU). When exceeding this viscosity,
pump cavitation is possible, preventing oil circulation. A sump
heater may be required or it may be possible to use a lower
viscosity oil to minimize pump cavitation, refer to Falk.
Petroleum Based Lubricants
R & O GEAR LUBRICANTS (Table 6) —Industrial type
petroleum based rust and oxidation inhibited (R & O ) gear
lubricants are the most common and readily available general
purpose gear lubricants.
EXTREME PRESSURE (EP) LUBRICANTS (Table 4) — For
highly loaded gear drives or drives loaded in excess of original
estimates, industrial type petroleum extreme pressure lubricants
are preferred. The EP lubricants currently recommended are of
the sulphur-phosphorus type.
WARNING: EP LUBRICANTS IN FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY
— EP lubricants may contain toxic substances and should not be
used in the food processing industry without the lubricant
manufacturers’ approval. Lubricants which meet USDA “H1”
classification are suitable for food processing applications.
CAUTION: EP LUBRICANTS & INTERNAL BACKSTOPS — Do
not use EP lubricants or lubricants with anti-wear additives or
lubricant formulations including sulfur-phosphorus, chlorine, lead
derivatives, graphite or molybdenum disulfides in drives
equipped with internal cartridge type backstops. Some lubricants
in Table 6 may contain anti-wear additives. Lubricants in Table
4do contain several of these additives.
Synthetic Lubricants
Synthetic lubricants of the polyalphaolefin type are
recommended for cold climate operation, high temperature
applications, extended temperature range (all season)
operation and/or extended lubricant change intervals. The
proper viscosity grade of synthetic lubricant is given in Table 3.
WARNING: SYNTHETIC LUBRICANTS IN FOOD PROCESSING
INDUSTRY — Synthetic lubricants may contain toxic substances
and should not be used in the food processing industry without the
lubricant manufacturers’ approval. Lubricants which meet USDA
“H1” classification are suitable for food processing applications.
CAUTION: SYNTHETIC LUBRICANTS & INTERNAL BACKSTOPS
— Synthetic lubricants may be used in gear drives with internal
backstops operating only in cold temperatures –30° to +50°F
(–34° to +10°C). Mobil SHC 624 and SHC 626 provide proper
backstop action under these conditions. Other synthetic
lubricants may also be acceptable.
Oil Levels
Fill the drive with oil to the level indicated on the oil dipstick.
Approximate oil capacities are given on the drive nameplate
and in Table 8, Page 7.
Lubricant Changes
OIL ANALYSIS REPORT — Checking oil condition at regular
intervals is recommended. In the absence of more specific
limits, the guidelines listed below may be used to indicate when
to change oil:
1. Water content is greater than 0.05% (500 ppm).
2. Iron content exceeds 150 ppm.
3. Silicon (dust/dirt) exceeds 25 ppm.
4. Viscosity changes more than 15%.
PETROLEUM LUBRICANTS — For normal operating
conditions, change gear oils every 6 months or 2500 operating
hours, whichever occurs first. Change oil more frequently when
gear drives operate in extremely humid, chemical or dust laden
atmospheres. In these cases, R & O and EP lubricants should
be changed every 3 to 4 months or 1500 to 2000 hours. If the
drive is operated in an area where temperatures vary with the
seasons, change the oil viscosity grade to suit the temperature,
refer to Table 2. Lubricant suppliers can test oil from the
drive periodically and recommend economical
change schedules.
The Falk Corporation, P.O. Box 492, Zip 53201-0492
318-100
3001 W. Canal St., Zip 53208-4200, Milwaukee, WI USA Telephone: 414-342-3131May 2001
Fax: 414-937-4359 e-mail: falkinfo@falkcorp.com web: www .falkcorp.comSupersedes 12-99
Installation & Maintenance Instructions •UltraMax® Gear Drives
(Page 4of 7) Types FC & FZ •Sizes 2040 thru 2130
TABLE 2 — Viscosity Grade Recommendations H
Output
RPM
Synthetic Lubricants R & O or EP Lubricants
Cold Climates Normal Climates †
–30° to +10°F
(–34° to –12°C) –15° to +50°F
(–26° to +10°C) 15° to 60°F
(–9° to +16°C) 50° to 125°F
(10° to 52°C)
ISO-VG AGMA ISO-VG AGMA ISO-VG AGMA ISO-VG AGMA
Below 80 32 0S 68 2S150 4320 6
80 & Above 32 0S 68 2S 150 4220 5
HWhen ambient temperatures are higher than 125°F (52°C), or when drives
are operating in extremely humid, chemical, or dust laden atmospheres, it is
recommended that the lubricant be changed more frequently. See
lubricant changes.
†Refer to Table 3 for proper synthetic lubricant viscosity grades for normal climates.
TABLE 3 — Viscosity Grade Recommendations for Synthetic Lubricants H
Output
RPM
Cold Climates Normal Climates
–30° to +10°F
(–34° to –12°C)
–15° to +50°F
(–26° to +10°C)
0° to +80°F
(–18° to +27°C)
+10° to +125°F
(–12° to +52°C)
+20° to +125°F
(–7° to +52°C)
ISO-VG AGMA ISO-VG AGMA ISO-VG AGMA ISO-VG AGMA ISO-VG AGMA
Below 80 32 0S 68 2S 150 4S 320 6S 320 6S
80 & Above 32 0S 68 2S 150 4S 220 5S 320 6S
HRefer to Falk for viscosity recommendations when ambient temperatures are below –30°F (–34°C) or above 125°F (52°C).