One of the most frustrating things about equipment failures is how often they sneak up on you. Your machine might sound fine, run fine, and get the job done—until one day, the final drive gives out without much warning. A common culprit? Gear oil that’s quietly been working against you instead of for you. Gear oil is supposed to lubricate, protect, and keep things cool inside the drive. But once it’s contaminated, it stops doing its job, and the damage starts piling up long before you notice anything’s wrong.
In this Shop Talk Blog post, we talk about gear oil contamination, signs to look for, prevention and maintenance tips, and what to do when the damage is done.
Here are a few other Shop Talk Blog posts you might find of interest:
- Final Drive Motors: Frequently Asked Questions
- Too Hot to Handle: How Summer Heat Wears You Down on the Job Site
- Reman Final Drive Motors: Affordable, American-Made, and Eco-Friendly
