Mining Transmission Fluid Analysis

Manual and automatic transmission fluids are affected by thermal conditions, gear loads and traffic variables. Harsh operating conditions of mining sites can create significant challenges for transmission and gearbox fluids.  Regular analysis of transmission fluids will determine wear debris, contaminants and moisture. Heavy loads and high stress on mining equipment will have an effect on the transmission fluid thereby causing a thermal breakdown. 

Under high load conditions, the breakdown or failure of transmission fluid will cause oxidation that produces a sludge or varnish in the gearbox. Left unchecked, these conditions will ultimately have an effect on the mechanical systems affecting performance and eventually cause gear failure.

Clark Labs has specialty gearbox testing services to measure gear wear performance, friction, oxidation and wear resistance. Our FZG Gear Lubricant Test evaluates anti-wear characteristics and load carrying capacities of lubricants. The FZG gear test rig simulates a misaligned gear set operating in a bath of lubricant subjected to 12 increasing torque load stages. Tooth-wear is examined between stages for scuffing or scoring to assess the fluids performance.  

Standard Test Packages Includes:

ASTM D445 - Viscosity

ASTM D974, D664 - Acid Number

ASTM D4377 - Karl Fischer

ISO 4406 - Particle Count

PQ 90 - Wear Index

Wear Elements & Containments (Spec, XRF, ICP)

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