Speed Reducer Frequently Asked Questions




Q. Why use a worm gear reducer?



Q. Why use a bevel gearbox?

A. A bevel gearbox is yet another right angle gear solution but its efficiency is much higher than the worm gear. If you need a right angle solution with a low ratio the bevel gear is the right choice.


Q. What is meant by the hand of drive?

A. The location of the output shaft of a reducer relative to it’s input shaft is called the configuration’s hand. It is generally referred to as right handed (J), left handed (G) or left and right handed (H) if the output shaft is double extended.


Q. What are some of the advantages of ground gears?

A. Some of the advantages of hardened and ground gears are:

  • lessnoise
  • maximizedefficiency
  • higherloadcapacity
  • correctionofprofile…longerlife


Q. What are two major reasons for premature gear reducer failure?

A. Some of the most common causes for premature failure of a reducer include improper selection for the application, changing the motor horsepower or speed, incorrect alignment of couplings, improper or insufficient lubrication, and lack of regular maintenance.


Q. How can you minimize the size of a major drive component such as a motor and its reducer while maximizing output torque capacity?

A. Introduce mechanical advantage or ratios where possible.Example: An application requires 700 in-lbs of torque at 90 RPM utilizing a 1HP 1750 RPM motor (36 in-lbs. of torque generated from 1HP motor SCI)

Option 1 – 20:1 reducer with 720 in-lbs of output torque capacity. 36 in-lbs X 20:1 ratio = 720 in-lbs capacity less efficiency loss through reducer.

Option 2 – 10:1 gear reducer. 36 in-lbs X 10:1 ratio = 360 in-lbs capacity less efficiency loss through reducer plus a 2:1 chain drive from reducer to drive shaft

Option 2 would be most economical because we are reducing the gearbox size requirements (capacity needed) by half and still mainating the application torque requirements at the drive shaft with the use of the chain drive.

Note: The more HP or torque that the application needs to transmit, the more money that can be saved by multiplying torque through reducers and auxiliary drive components.


Q. In what gearbox application would it be advantageous to use a synthetic lubrication?

A. Most synthetic lubricants have lower pour points, high oscillation resistance, and accept additives better than their conventional petroleum equivalents. Therefore, a gearbox in one of the following conditions would benefit from the use of synthetic lubricants: hot or cold ambient temperatures; heavy loads; continuous duty; or limited PM.


Q. How to Balance Shock Load vs. Running Load?

A. It depends on the load demands and duty cycle of your application. Is your load primarily frictional, inertial, or a combination? Frictional loads tend to require a small torque spike to start motion and a smaller relatively constant torque to maintain it. Inertial loads typically require high starting torques but low running torques.

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