Four Best Industrial Gearbox Brands: How to Choose the Right One?
Industrial gearboxes are used across various sectors. From conveyor belts to cooling systems and turbines, gearboxes aid the smooth operation flow of day-to-day industrial activities.
But you might be wondering which is the best gearbox brand for your specific needs?
To make the choice a bit easier, we’ve selected the Four of the top gearbox brands in 2022, the unique advantages of each brand, and the primary uses of their gearboxes. But before we dive into these four brands, we’ll give you a quick background on the main gearbox types and the factors you should consider when choosing a gearbox supplier.
Gearbox Types & Use Cases
Industrial gearboxes are used to transform electrical into mechanical energy and transmit it to another device. Such gearboxes are used to either increase or decrease speed and torque.
Here are the six main industrial gearbox brands and their use cases:
Worm Gearbox
The worm gearbox consists of a worm gear and a worm wheel. It is one of the most popular types due to its simple design and high-speed reduction ability. This gearbox type is used in:
- Heavy-duty machinery
- Conveyors
- Braking systems
Planetary Gearbox
This type of gearbox has planetary wheels and carriers that rotate around a central wheel. They have great durability, efficiency, and precision. The planetary gearbox is used primarily for:
- 3D printing
- Cars
- Pencil sharpeners
Helical Gearbox
Helical gearboxes are cylinder-shaped gears with helix-shaped teeth that cut at an angle. This unique feature makes helical gears considerably more efficient and durable than most other gearbox types. They also offer a smoother operation process with minimum vibration and noise.
They’re mostly used for applications that require low noise levels and high speeds, such as:
- Air conditioning
- Printing
- Automotive
Skew Bevel Helical Gearbox
This low-power gearbox type offers a solid build, high efficiency, and low operation costs. This gearbox is typically used to move heavy loads in various industries.
Bevel Helical Gearbox
The bevel helical gearbox has a cone shape and curved teeth. The bevel gearbox structure minimizes backlash and gear slipping, providing smooth and quiet operation. It’s used in heavy-duty industries such as:
- Mining
- Petroleum
- Construction
Coaxial Helical Inline Gearbox
Coaxial gearboxes are known for their quality. They’re manufactured with high precision, which allows them to increase transmission and load efficiency. They can be used in both low and high duty industries like:
- Transportation
- Construction
- Tank manufacturing
How to Choose the Right Gearbox
To choose the right gearbox type, you need to consider various factors including:
- Manufacturer customer support: Pick a good supplier with reliable customer support in case of breakage or other issues.
- Efficiency: Think about the productivity rate at which you want your gearbox to be running.
- Design: Check whether you need a custom-designed gearbox or a unit with standard dimensions.
Four Best Industrial Gearbox Suppliers in 2022
Now, let’s take a peek at the four of the top industrial gearbox brands.
Falk
With over 200 years of experience in the gearbox manufacturing industry, Falk is one of the most reliable and well-established gearbox brands. The company is currently under the management of Rexnord Corporation.
They produce gears, bevels, couplings, and other industrial parts and equipment.
Falk gearboxes are used across a wide range of industries, including:
- Paper
- Cement
- Plastics
- Forestry
- Mining
Falk is known for producing reliable and sturdy gearbox units but in case you need a repair service for your Falk equipment, contact a reliable Falk gearbox repair expert.
Philadelphia Gear
The Philadelphia Gear company has been producing gearboxes since World War 1. They are one of the founding members of the American Gear Manufacturers Association and have established themselves as a leading and reliable gearbox manufacturer.
Philadelphia Gear is now part of Timken Power Systems, and their gearbox equipment is used in industries including:
- Oil and gas
- Food processing
- Mining
- Cement
- Power generation
Reach out to a Philadelphia Gear repair professional if you need a maintenance check for your Philadelphia gearbox equipment.
Foote-Jones
Foote-Jones has been in the gearbox production business since 1858. The company was acquired by the Regal Beloit Corporation in 1990.
They produce some of the strongest and most durable gearboxes. The company specializes in the production of helical and worm gears and offers fast delivery services for their standard products.
Foote-Jones gearboxes are used in the following industries:
- Forestry
- Mining
- Paper production
Get a professional Foote-Jones repair service in case you need assistance with the brand’s gearbox units.
Lufkin
The Lufkin manufacturing company was founded in 1902 near Houston, Texas. Their first product was the enclosed pump used widely in the oil industry. Today, the company specializes in building various gearbox units, known for their high quality and reliability.
Lufkin gears are widely used in the following industries:
- Steel
- Aluminum
- Rubber
- Plastic
- Sugar
In case you’re experiencing technical issues, you can reach out to a reliable Lufkin gearbox repair service.
Extend the Lifespan of Your Gearbox Equipment
Selecting the right gearbox for your industrial needs is an important decision. But if you’re looking for a new gearbox due to equipment breakage, don’t rush into buying a brand-new unit just yet!
With the proper industrial gearbox repair service, you might be able to extend the lifespan of your equipment, whether that’s a Western Gear, Lightnin, Marley, or any of the gearbox brands mentioned above. Just give Houston Pump and Gear a call, and our expert technicians will inspect and service your equipment, so you can get the most out of it.
