Gear Lub or Gear Oil

[kthree]

For many years, the wording on the side of the drum containing the lubricating oil we put in our helical geared speed reducers said Gear Oil. Our oil supplier always advised us to use Gear Oil for our application and not Gear Lube. We recently changed oil suppliers, which brought a brand change with it. The product supplied by the new brand is labeled Gear Lube. When I placed the 2 product description sheets side by side, the wording was essentially identical. Since the description sheets are the same, I guess it really makes no difference what words are on the side of the drum, but it would still be nice to crack the mystery. Any suggestions, ideas, comments any wish to offer about the difference between Gear Oil and Gear Lube, or if there is any, will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, K.

 

[Doug Hunter]

I would expect no difference between "gear oil" and "gear lube". Just make sure the NUMBERS in the product description (viscosity, density, etc.), and the chemical composition, are comparable.

 

[3DDave]

I had similar questions and called a company for technical advice and was soon transferred to a chemical engineer. They keep tabs on their own product and also on those of competitors.

 

[dgeesaman]

I've never noticed any relationship between 'gear lube' and 'gear oil'. I'm always focused on things like viscosity, additive package, yellow metal compatibility (when relevant), pour point, scuffing or other extreme pressure performance, and viscosity index.

I recommend you find the product number before/after and keep the product data sheets on file.

 

[kthree]

Thanks All. Appreciate your considering and responding to my post. As you have suggested is what we have done, follow the data sheets. K.

 

[mfgenggear]

OP
The manufacture of the gear box who specifies which lubricant to use.
Reason: as a designer the gear lube must be
Tested with the gear box and the lube properties
Thar are desired and designed with a gear box program.

 

[Gr8blu]

In my experience - a "gear oil" has no additives. A "gear lube" very well might. For example - gear lubes can include specific chemistry to minimize wear from a) high pressure, b) high temperature, and/or c) dissimilar materials.

Both must provide adequate lubrication for the moving parts.

 

[MintJulep]

Both "Gear Oil" and "Gear Lube" are undefined colloquial terms and have no intrinsic meaning.

They are used at the whim of the manufacturer's marketing department.

Also, as noted by @kthree, this can be used by distributors as a way to lock in customers by giving incorrect advice to uninformed buyers.

While it's nice to say "always follow the gear box manufacturer's recommendation" if the gear box maker recommends a specific brand and product line then know that the lubricant manufacturers market the same product using different names in different locations, and frequently change the name of products to create the appearance of "new and better".

Hopefully the gear box manufacturer gives a recommendation for a standard (e.g. API GL-5). Even so, the API standards define "minimum requirements", and every lubricant manufacturer will "meet or exceed" them, with differences in additive packages.

It's impossible to find a product that exactly meets the requirements of an API standard, so it's impossible for gear box manufacturers to test to that minimum. It's impossible for a gear box manufacturer to test all brands of lubricants. At best they test a small sample of oil manufacturers.

Unless your application is right at the limit, anything better than used school bus oil is likely ok.

"gear oil" has no additives.

Here's one that does: https://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants...y-lubricants/products/mobilube-hd-plus-80w-90

 

[mfgenggear]

Gear lube is not a straight forward answer.
Many factors such as the velocity, rpm, torque, hp, temperature, the design of the gear type and agma or iso design of the gear and gear teeth. The required strength of materials and so on.

Ai quote:
primary standard for gearbox oil, also known as gear oil, is the API (American Petroleum Institute) GL (Gear Lubricant) rating system, which ranges from GL-1 to GL-5, with higher numbers indicating greater extreme pressure (EP) additive levels, typically used for heavier loads and high-stress applications; the viscosity of gear oil is classified by SAE J306, which uses a double number system like "75W-90" to denote performance at both low and high temperatures, with higher numbers indicating thicker viscosity.

Key points about gear oil standards:

• API GL ratings:
  • GL-1: Minimal EP additives, used for lightly loaded gears.
    
    
  • GL-2: Mild EP additives, typically for older applications
    
    
  • GL-3: Moderate EP additives, often used in older manual transmissions
    
    
  • GL-4: Balanced EP additives, suitable for most synchromesh gearboxes
    
    
  • GL-5: High EP additives, ideal for heavily loaded hypoid differentials
    
• SAE Viscosity grades:
  • Expressed as a double number separated by a "W" (e.g., 75W-90)
    
    
  • The first number indicates cold temperature viscosity
    
    
  • The second number indicates hot temperature viscosity
    
• Other important considerations:
  • MT-1: A specific API classification for non-synchronized manual transmissions in heavy-duty vehicles
    
    
  • Manufacturer recommendations: Always consult your vehicle or machinery manufacturer's specifications to choose the correct gear oil for your application.

 

[mfgenggear]

Here is an other break down
AI quote
Gear Oil Compatibility Chart for Different Types of Industrial Gearboxes

Gear Oil Type	Formulation	Operating Temperature Limit
EP	Extreme Pressure	High temperatures
Compounded	Blend of mineral oils and additives	Moderate temperatures
Synthetic	Chemically engineered	High temperatures

 

[mfgenggear]

so in short , the correct or more appropriate gear lube will enhance and prevent premature wear, fretting, keep at a proper temperture. the enemy is heat and friction. the not proper gear lube not for the intended application. will or can cause premature wear and failure. as gear designer we use algorithm with gear programs that predict the best results. kudos to the gear programmers.

 

[dgeesaman]

In my experience - a "gear oil" has no additives.

My experience is the opposite.

A lubricant without additives is mineral oil.

Gear oil has some additives: R&O, Anti-wear, Compounded, and if it's within the last 60 years it's EP. Nearly all have an anti-foaming additive too.

 

[kthree]

Yesterday and today have been unusually cold and snowy for this area, and tomorrow and Friday are expected to be just as sketchy. Many businesses have closed for the duration. Consequently, the few of us that have made it into work, have unexpected time on our hands. We are tying up loose ends, finishing projects we have been working around for months, etc. I have taken the time to revisit this post, and Wow, am I glad I did. I never expected my simple little question to provoke such in-depth, meaningful responses. You have provided a great learning experience. Many Thanks to all. K.