FAQ: Gear Reducers

Blackmer FAQ: Gear Reducers

• Do gear reducers require lubricant before starting service?

  Blackmer (HRA, HRB, HROF) gear reducers require proper lubrication prior to operation.
  
  Blackmer SK-series gear reducers ship with synthetic oil and do not require additional lubrication before startup.
  
  Follow the Installation Operation Manual (IOM) for detailed instructions. 

• Can gear reducers operate in either direction?

  Yes, all Blackmer gear reducers are bi-directional.

• How often should oil be changed in Blackmer gear reducers?

  After the first two weeks of operation, the oil should be drained, the gearcase flushed, and new oil added in Blackmer gear reducers. For normal operation, the oil should be changed every six months or 1000 hours, whichever is shorter. If operation is accompanied by frequent and wide changes in temperature, or if the unit operates in an unusually moist or dusty atmosphere, the oil should be changed every 500 hours or every three months.

• How often should the oil in the Blackmer SK-Series gear reducers be changed?

  Mineral oil should be changed every 10,000 operating hours or every two years. Synthetic oil should be replaced every 20,000 operating hours or every four years.

• What is the torque? Is there a torque table?

  The Blackmer gear reducer specification sheet 109-001 includes the max horsepower (hp) rating at a given speed for each gear reducer. For torque information, review the pump max hp value at a specific application and calculate the torque.

• For lubrication of the gear reducers, what grade of oil is needed?

  Blackmer recommends using synthetic oil with oxidation inhibitors and is compatible with Buna elastomers. Use synthetic oil AGMA Viscosity Grade 4 or ISO Viscosity Grade 150 such as Mobil SHC 629, Mobil SHC 630, Shell Omala S4 GX 150, Castrol Isolube EP 150 or equivalent (TL).

• How is the size of the Blackmer SK-Series Gear Box determined and how is matched with the motors in Q2?

  The Blackmer SK-Series Gear Box size is selected based on the maximum input power rating at a specific motor speed and the desired operation speed of the pump.