The forklift gearbox is one of the important parts that help to regulate forklift movement. Based on the forklift’s transmission, we can partly judge the quality of a forklift.
For the forklift gearbox to operate smoothly and efficiently, the role of forklift transmission oil plays an important role. Join us to learn the knowledge and how to change the transmission oil through the article below.
What is transmission oil? Is gear oil important?
Forklift gear oil is a lubricant used to lubricate transmission systems. It provides very high lubrication and wear resistance to forklift transmission components, helping the forklift to operate smoothly, achieve stable performance, and limit damage to the inherently complex and complex gearboxes, difficult to repair.
Forklift gear oil is very important, it provides many benefits for forklift maintenance and operation:
- Increase lubricity
- Cooling of parts
- Limit abrasion
- Reduced operating noise
- Limit oxidation
- Extend the life of transmission lines, gearboxes, reduce wear of internal components
Gear oil plays an important role in ensuring a smooth, quiet forklift operation. Therefore, inspection, replenishment, and replacement of transmission oil as well as hydraulic oil are extremely necessary to ensure the smooth operation of the forklift’s transmission components.
Popular transmission oils
Manufacturers often use indexes to classify forklift transmission oils. Common indexes API, SAE, VI, etc. In addition, the additives added to the gear oil are also very important because it affects the quality and ensures the characteristics of the oil.
API Index of Forklift Gear Oil
API stands for American Petroleum Institute used to reflect the quality of gear oil.
API quality level is classified into SA, SB, and SC… (the lowest is SA). Currently, the highest transmission oil quality based on the API is SM.
Science and technology develop rapidly. The forklift engine is also improved to be able to work in harsh environments (in terms of temperature, pressure, etc.). Oils with low API numbers cannot meet the engine’s operating requirements, so manufacturers have added additives to transmission oils to improve quality.
Additives are often added in transmission oils: antioxidants, anti-emulsifiers, and foaming agents, improve resistance to temperature, pressure, water separation, and oil cracking… Therefore, only the Common API number of transmission oil is usually from SG class or higher
SAE rating of forklift gear oil
SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers – is a standard set forth by the Association of Automation Engineers to classify the viscosity – thinness of lubricants. For users, the SAE number is a symbolic number for the viscosity of the transmission oil.
According to the SAE index, we have 2 types of lubricants: single-grade and multi-grade. Single-stage gearbox oils will typically have SAE ratings of 40 and 50, often decreasing viscosity rapidly with increasing temperature.
Multigrade gear oils (SAE 10W-40, SAE 15W-40) provide more stable viscosity at higher temperatures than single-grade oils, and the oil’s dilution will not change as the temperature drops. Therefore, single-grade oil is rarely used in the cold season while multigrade oil can be used all year round
Index VI of forklift transmission oil
Another indicator that shows the viscosity of transmission oil is VI – short for Viscosity Index. This index represents the change in oil viscosity as temperature changes. The higher this number, the more stable (or less variable) the gear oil is with temperature.
On the market today, most transmission oils have a VI index of 90-110, some oils even have this index up to 180.
Forklift gear oil additive
Manufacturers always add additives to enhance the properties and role of oils such as:
- Detergent additives: prevent the formation of dirt, soot…
- Anti-corrosion additives: create a film covering metal parts, helping to reduce friction and limit oxidation.
- Viscosity improving additive: helps stabilize the oil’s viscosity, ensures the lubricating ability of the oil, and limits the influence of temperature on the viscosity.
When to change forklift transmission oil?
During operation, the oil will accumulate deposits or metal chips due to the friction process…. In addition, forklift transmission oils are non-volatile and contain many important additives that, even when the forklift is inactive, lose their effectiveness over time.
Therefore, changing the forklift transmission oil periodically will help the forklift operate more stably, and more efficiently with longer life.
The drive bridge compartment and the transmission compartment of the forklift are different from other vehicles, there is no separate separation. Therefore, the transmission oil change and the bridge oil change must be done at the same time.
Each manufacturer will have different recommendations for changing the gearbox oil, but in general, it should be changed every 1 year or 2000 hours of operation.
Distinguish between bridge oil and gear oil
Gear oils and gear oils are both high-pressure oils, used to lubricate forklift transmissions, requiring lubricating and anti-wear capabilities as well as extending the life of components. parts, help the vehicle operate smoothly, maximize capacity, and prevent unnecessary incidents during operation.
However, not all axle oils and gear oils are the same. To avoid confusion about the common characteristics of these two oils, immediately refer to the table below:
| Bridge oil | Train oil |
| Operating under extreme pressure, very high pressure, and large load capacity => High EP extreme pressure additive. | Operating under medium pressure conditions => Extreme pressure additive EP |
| High viscosity, used in the gearbox will waste fuel | Low viscosity, optimized fuel economy |
| Used for differentials, transmissions | For forklift transmission |
| Periodic discharge and change of bridge oil after 500 hours (3 months) (oil forklifts and electric forklifts) | Periodic replacement time after 1000 hours of operation (6 months) (diesel forklifts) |
Can oil and gear oil be used together?
Gear oil and bridge oil can be used together. Essentially, however, gear and axle oils are designed to lubricate components with different operating conditions. Therefore, to ensure durability, optimize working performance, save maintenance costs, save fuel, and ensure the longevity of the forklift’s transmission parts, you should use the right type of oil according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
A simple guide to changing forklift transmission oil
Be sure to monitor and replenish your forklift’s transmission oil. Continuously replenishing without draining used oil residue can cause more deposits to build up, corrode metal parts, and seriously damage parts, resulting in vehicle interruptions.
The process of changing the forklift gearbox oil is quite simple, customers can completely check and replace it according to the following suggested steps:
- Step 1: Gear oil drains better at operating temperature, so make sure the forklift has been idle for a while before changing the oil. After turning off the ignition, raise the front wheel and undercarriage to create space for you to operate easily.
- Step 2: Drain the used oil from the tank. Customers can open the 4 side screws to check the new oil level.
- Step 3: Add new oil until the oil flows out at the hole across the transmission bridge, then it is considered to have poured the necessary amount of oil.
- Step 4: Tighten the 4-sided screw and close the oil filler cap. Then lower the forklift.
- Step 5: Let the car start the engine for about 5-10 minutes to let the oil go through the gearbox.
Above are some tips for you on checking and changing the transmission oil for your forklift.
Some genuine oils for your forklift
Caltex gear oil
Caltex transmission oils are high-performance, multipurpose, anti-wear and extremely durable automatic transmission (ATF) oils with advanced additive technology providing outstanding antioxidant properties.
Products are directly distributed nationwide and imported genuine at Nhat Lo Phat 168. Contact us to buy now!
Hyundai Xteer GL-5 80W90 cầu Bridge
Hyundai Xteer Bridge Oil is the most advanced manual transmission fluid designed for tall cars with the latest technology. It is suitable and designed to provide excellent protection against viscosity breakdown.
With modern production technology, the product increases the protection and wear resistance of transmission parts. Provides smooth gear shifting under different weather conditions.
Engine oil Hyundai Xteer 15W40
Hyundai Xteer 15W40 engine oil provides maximum engine protection under heavy workloads. Delivers outstanding performance in both modern diesel engines and older forklifts. Ensure the standard indicators, meet the durability, and stable features of the product.
How to store liquids and oils for forklifts
To preserve gear oils, engine oils, hydraulic oils for forklifts, etc., it is necessary to pay attention to the following to ensure the quality of the oil:
- Store in containers with tight-fitting lids
- Use clean, unadulterated containers that alter the properties of the additional oil
- Preserved in a dry, cool place
Above are some useful contents about gear oil for forklifts. If readers have any other questions, please leave them below in the comments section or contact us for free advice and the cheapest quote in the market.
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