One of the most common problems that can occur in industrial machinery is a problem with the gearbox. Though the first inclination when an industrial gearbox fails is to replace it, gearbox repair can be an option. If you can have your gearbox repaired, it can save you 40% or more compared with the cost of getting it replaced.
Gearbox repair is more likely to be an option if you get your gearbox looked at at the first sign of a problem rather than waiting until it fails totally. To do that, you have to know what to be on the lookout for. Excessive noise, vibration, oil contamination and fluid leaks are among the top causes of gearbox problems, so if you see any of these signs, you should have your gearbox checked out immediately. Not only is gearbox repair cost much lower than replacement, but you also will be looking at much less downtime with a repair than you will with a replacement.
If you do need an industrial gearbox rebuild or repair, it is important to find a company that specializes in such work. You might have luck with a machinery dealer, although since they are in the business of selling equipment, it may not be in their best interest to offer anything more than minor repairs. There are companies that specialize in industrial gearbox repair, so you should be able to find one. Some gearbox repair specialists may even be able to complete repairs onsite so you don’t have to disassemble your machinery, which will further cut down on downtime.
To some extent, the time and expense required for your gearbox repair project will depend on the size of the machinery and what it is used for. For example, repairing the gearbox on a tunnel boring machine that is more than 50 feet long will take more time and be more expensive than repairing the gearbox on a smaller tunnel borer or on a smaller industrial machine that is anchored on a factory floor.
Machinery manufacturing shipments clock in at more than $400 billion a year, which means there is a lot of machinery with ample opportunities for a component such as a gearbox to break. Finding the right company to repair such a problem rather than having to replace it can save you a lot of time and money.
