Gearboxes

Types of Gearbox

There are two types of gearboxes:

• Automatic gearbox:
  Several factors have contributed to the development of automatic gearbox. Firstly, the advent of electronics in the nineties and secondly, the wish of having more gear speed. It is used for power transmission and offers automatic gearshift. Automatic gearboxes are easy and pleasurable to drive. The only thing to be done after engaging a gear is to press the accelerator to go and press the brake to stop. The automatic gearboxes relies on hydraulic fluid pressure to shift the gears up and down. This fluid needs to be checked regularly.
  
• Manual gearbox:
  Manual gearbox has widely spread into the market but Europeans still remain faithful to manual gearbox. The manual gearbox has been as old as the car itself. These gearboxes use conventional clutch that is activated each time a gear is selected by an electronically controlled motor. This then disengages the clutch, the gear is shifted and the clutch engages once more. It all happens within a second and the system even allows for the car to come to a stop whilst still in gear. The manual gearbox is virtually maintenance free except for the checking of the oil level occasionally.
  

Controlling Gear Box Contamination
Wear and tear is common in gearboxes. Wear commonly occurs as a result of the contamination and degradation of the lubricant. Proactive maintenance is a well-documented concept. It leads to longer life of the gearbox. In a gearbox, there are moving components that transmit power through rotation and so degradation of lubricant can lead to adhesion, abrasion and corrosion of component surfaces, which finally leads to component failure.

The oil used for lubrication must be free from contamination. Seals have the ability to seal against oil leakage. Breathers are used for allowing airflow on the gearbox. This is to allow for changes in volume as a result of top-ups, leakage and temperature-related volume changes.

An annual check of all switches and sensors should be performed to verify operation as per lubrication system settings. Pumps and other motorized accessories should be checked at scheduled intervals. Flows and pressure drops at the cooler, filters and inlet to the rotating equipment should be routinely monitored and recorded to identify any adverse trends. An annual check of cooler condition is important to maintain cooler efficiency.