Even the most reliable power transmission equipment – such as a Falk gearbox – will fail at some point. Deciding whether to make gearbox repairs or simply replace the unit can be challenging for factory maintenance supervisors, who must balance cost, downtime and the long-term life of the machinery.
The first step, of course, is to determine whether the unit is actually replaceable; this is a job best left to a trained technician who thoroughly understands the workings of a Falk gear reducer. Sending the Falk gearbox to be examined by a gear drive distributor with repair/rebuild certification, such as our Falk Renew program, will help streamline the process.
When considering whether to replace a Falk gear reducer or make gearbox repairs, it’s helpful to ask the following questions:
How quickly can the repair or replacement be done?
Time is money in any industrial operation, so it’s worthwhile to determine whether it would be faster to replace the unit or have gearbox repairs made. At our Falk Renew facility, for example, we can often turn around a gear reducer repair within 24 hours, which in some cases may be faster than ordering a new unit.
Will the rebuilt Falk gear reducer last long enough to recover your investment?
As a Falk gearbox ages, it will naturally become more prone to problems – and harder to get parts for. If you’re going to pay for gearbox repairs, it’s important to assess whether the rebuilt unit will last long enough to make the cost worthwhile. Depending on the age and extent of wear and tear on your Falk gear reducer, you may be better off buying a replacement.
Will installing a replacement unit require significant realignment?
Oftentimes a gear reducer is installed in a system in a way that accommodates the uniqueness of the application. In such cases, accommodating a new unit can be difficult and cost-prohibitive, making gearbox repair the better option.
[ photo by: Stefan Baudy, on Flickr, via CC License ]
Posted under Machinery Maintenance, Tips and Tricks on Tuesday, November 15th, 2011