Industrial Gear Oils help prolong gear life

Mineral-based Shell Omala, suited for highly loaded gearboxes operating under normal temperatures, exhibits water separation properties critical for operations in wet environments. Formulated for harsh industrial environments, Shell Omala HD synthetic oil is based on PAO and other select additives and exhibits thermal and oxidative stability. Synthetic Shell Tivela S is designed for enclosed, sealed-for-life or worm-helical gear units operating at higher temperatures.

Shell lubricants companies have launched a revitalized range of mineral and synthetic industrial gear oils for the US market. Shell Omala, Shell Omala HD and Shell Tivela S gear oils, have been specially formulated to help prolong gear life and reduce unscheduled downtime, which can help industrial companies reduce their overall operating costs.

The revitalized range of Shell gear oils has been developed to meet the challenges placed on modern gear systems, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated, smaller and designed to run longer. In a recent survey conducted by Shell of US industrial companies, 50% of respondents said that industrial gearboxes were one of their most critical components, while 30% said that they had experienced a lubricant related gearbox failure within the last 12 months.

Darren Cross, Shell's Industrial Lubricants Sector Marketing Manager, explains: "Today's industrial environment is more demanding than ever with trends towards smaller equipment and commercial pressures to raise throughput. The result is equipment needs to be able to run at higher operating temperatures, handle increased loads and cope with exposure to water and other contaminants. In these tough conditions, operators need a gear oil that is designed to tackle the problems that can affect operational efficiency. Shell has invested heavily in lubricants R&D to ensure that we can provide a revitalized range of gear oils for the US that meets these new challenges."