Gear oil is easy to overlook鈥攗ntil something goes wrong. A noisy final drive, worn planetary gears, or sudden power loss can all point to a single cause: lubricant failure.
Many don鈥檛 realize that gear oils are engineered fluids, not just oil. They鈥檙e packed with chemical additives that do far more than reduce friction鈥攖hey help your equipment run cooler, cleaner, and longer. These additives reduce wear, prevent corrosion, fight sludge, and help the oil survive extreme pressure and temperature. Without them, even top-tier base oil won鈥檛 cut it.
This Shop Talk Blog post covers what gear oil additives do, how they work, and why they're essential for protecting your final drive motor gearbox. And whether you operate compact track loaders or full-sized excavators, knowing what鈥檚 in your oil helps extend service life and avoid costly repairs.
Here are a few other Shop Talk Blog posts you might be interested in:
- 3 Things You Should Know about Gear Oil for Final Drives
- Gear Oil Part 1: How to Troubleshoot Gear Oil Problems with Your Final Drive
- Gear Oil Part 2: How to Check and Change the Gear Oil in a Final Drive Motor
