As you know, your final drive is the key to keeping your equipment moving. When it fails, your equipment quite literally stops in its tracks. In this Shop Talk blog post, we are going to talk about the secrets to destroying your final drive.

Final Drive Wrecking Secret #1: Ignore Those Leaks

A leak is no big deal, right? All you need to do is top off that fluid level and just keep running … if you want to wreck your final drive.

Here’s why: leaking seals allow vital fluids to drain out and allow damaging contaminants inside. That means grit, sand, and dirt will begin to wreak havoc on the components that help transfer power in your final drive. Bearings and gears don’t play well with abrasive materials!

In addition, the loss of hydraulic fluid will have a negative impact on the performance of your final drive and, when left untreated, will result in a catastrophic damage for your final drive. A loss of gear oil leaves components in the planetary hub exposed to very detrimental metal-on-metal contact.

Never neglect a leak in your final drive!

Final Drive Wrecking Secret #2: Never Check the Case Drain Filter

The case drain line returns hydraulic fluid to the pump via a low-pressure line with an in-line filter. Over time, the filter becomes clogged with contaminants. This results in an increase in pressure in the case drain line.

This pressure, in turn, must go somewhere. On its inevitable path to freedom it will leave behind unpleasant signs of its passing: blow seals, blown and scarred piston shoes, hydraulic fluid in the planetary side, and/or a cracked final drive cover plate. When it reaches the point of damaging the final drive cover plate, that puts your technicians and operators in danger, too.

Don’t ignore the case drain filter unless you want your final drive totaled!

Final Drive Wrecking Secret #3: Never Change the Gear Oil

Don’t bother paying attention to those experts that tell you so change your gear oil at least once a year and check the fluid levels about once every 100 hours. There just trying to sell their expensive gear oil!

However, things are not that simple. Failure to change out the gear oil results in a thick sludge. That sludge is too thick to adequately protect the key components inside the planetary side of your final drive. The end results is similar to what happens if you have a final drive with no gear oil at all.

Check and change your gear oil according to manufacturer recommendations!

How to Protect Your Final Drive

Now that we’ve covered the secrets to wrecking your final drive, let’s talk about how you can extend the life of your final drive.

You can start by following manufacturer recommendations for checking and changing out the case drain filter. Next, never ignore leaks! Finally, change the gear oil and when a leak develops, get those seals replaced as soon as possible to protect the investment you have in your final drive.