All sorts of hydraulic motors, final drives, and travel motors will have bearings. These bearings help the final drive / hydraulic motor function correctly and with little resistance. The bearings are usually found in pairs, assets with an outer race and inner race. When bearings fail, other components should be removed as quickly as possible so that the hydraulic motor is not irrevocably damaged. The bearings and bushes suppliers usually offer various options to cater to different final drive motors and hydraulic motors.
Here we will go through crucial information about bearings and final drive motors.
Facts About Bearings
Fact #1: The Function of Bearings
The following are some of the critical roles of bearings in a final drive motor.
- Keeping the shafts and gears in place and aligned is crucial.
- Reducing friction between the shaft and gear.
- Transferring loads from the gear to the shaft.
- Wear and tear reduction on other components.
When the bearings and bushings become worn out, they can no longer carry out their responsibilities. As a result, everything becomes chaotic quickly, and the entire system is jeopardized.
Fact #2: The Most Common Reason for Bearing Failure
Contaminated lubricant is said to be the number one cause of bearing failure. If gear oil or hydraulic fluid becomes tainted with particles, water, or air or deteriorates over time, it loses its function. It does not sufficiently cover contacting surfaces. When high forces are applied to those surfaces, they will be damaged. Because of this, the surface can become pitted, flaking, cracked, and damaged in various ways. In addition, because of the increased usage, there’s more chemical residue present in the lubricant. In short, it sets off a vicious cycle of harm.
Other reasons for bearing failure include a lack of lubrication, mishandling before installation, and incorrect installation. Remember: if the bearings are not installed correctly, they will not function properly and can create far more damage than good. If you aren’t sure whether or how to install a bearing, it’s probably best left to a professional.
Fact #3: Signs That the Bearing is About to Fail
A lack of noise or excessive movement in the final drive is one of the earliest indicators of bearing failure. If your last drive is getting too hot (water steams when it comes into contact with it), this can be caused by a failing bearing. It’s critical to get the problem fixed if you notice any of these symptoms as soon as feasible. If you take apart your final drive, clean your bearings carefully and thoroughly inspect them for damage. Look for signs of wear and tear, such as pitting, cracking, flaking, wear tracks on the outer race, or damaged/burst balls or rollers. These are all indicators that bearings should be changed.
Fact #4: How to Prevent Premature Bearing Failure
Per the manufacturer’s recommendations, the gear oil level in your final drive should be checked regularly to prevent premature bearing failure. That will take care of the planetary gears on the final drive or travel motor’s planetary side. We also recommend changing out the gear oil every year.
Because most bearing failures are caused by contaminated lubricant, which consists of gear oil and hydraulic fluid, care should be taken to avoid introducing any contamination to the system. That also implies that you must deal with leaks promptly. Other items may get in if there is a leak and fluid can escape.
After that, don’t combine different types of gear oil (or hydraulic fluid). Not all lubricants are compatible with one another, and mixing them might lead to the loss of desirable features that distinguish them as lubricants. When you add a new lubricant, remove as much of the original as possible from the system to avoid mixing the two.
You should not over-tighten the bearings during installation as that can damage them. Instead, use a torque wrench to ensure they’re tight enough but no tighter. If you’re unsure about installation, it’s always best to ask a professional for help.
Fact #5: The Different Types of Bearings Used in a Final Drive
There may be many different bearings in a final drive hydraulic motor. Bearings keep gears, driveshafts, and other components in position. The bearing employed is determined by various factors, including the kind of loads involved. You’ll almost certainly come across plane bearings (also known as bushings), which reduce friction. Roller bearings, ball bearings, needle bearings, and tapered bearings are examples of anti-friction bearings supporting moving parts. Bearing manufacturing companies produce a range of bearings for final drives.
The Bottom Line
Bearings are essential to the proper functioning of a machine’s final drives and other components. Therefore, it’s crucial to prevent bearing failure and change them out as soon as possible if they do fail. With proper maintenance, bearings can last for many years without issue. Bearing and bushes suppliers offer a wide variety of products for final drives to find the perfect replacement for your needs.
