Omme Gears is the only company in Italy to manufacture, market, and service cycloidal and hybrid gearboxes for horizontal centrifugal olive oil decanters, with nearly twenty-five years of experience in the industry and a strong partnership with leading Italian and European brands.
In general, the gearbox represents the heart of the centrifugal decanter, and the failure to perform regular maintenance on the mechanical system could compromise the gearbox’s efficiency and functionality, with potential negative impacts on industrial processes, such as in the case of olive oil production.
What are the risks if the olive oil decanter gearbox doesn’t work properly?
A shutdown plant due to issues arising from gearbox malfunction compromises the quality of the extracted oil, as the olives are left in a state of ‘waiting’ for the machinery to start functioning again, thereby altering their physical and organic qualities and affecting the quality of the final product.
This explains why many food and beverage companies in the sector equip themselves with a well-stocked inventory of spare parts to prevent potential future production halts.
Not only do breakdowns during the olive harvesting season result in substantial costs for the mill, leading to decreased turnover and yield, but they also reduce profit margins due to the high maintenance expenses.
Does it really make sense to neglect gearbox maintenance or on the contrary, to overstock on spare parts?
No, it is mandatory and essential to perform correct and regular maintenance to prevent breakdowns and extend the life of the gearbox for olive oil decanter.
This is why Omme Gears advises olive mill owners not to underestimate the importance of scheduled maintenance of the olive oil decanter.
Regardless of the type of lubrication chosen for the gearbox, the recommended maintenance best practices to extend the life of your gearbox are described in the following diagrams:
| Maintenance – General Recommendations | |
| Every 8000 hours | Inspection of the eccentric bearing and replacement if necessary.Prescribed for gearboxes with ATEX certification. |
| Every 15000 hours | Inspection of all roller and/or ball bearings on the high-speed and low-speed shafts and replacement if necessary. |
| The mixing of different types of grease or oil can damage the cycloidal gearbox. Use the same type of grease during relubrication or grease replacement. | |
| Cycloidal gearboxes with oil bath lubrication, oil circulation, and open reservoir | ||
| FREQUENCY | TYPE OF INTERVENTION | ACTION |
| At startup | Initial lubricant fill. Check for abnormal noises/vibrations. | Supply from the hollow input shaft. |
| Every week | Visual leak inspection. Check for abnormal noises/vibrations. | |
| After 6 months | First complete oil change if lubrication is oil bath. Check for impurities in the oil if lubrication is oil circulation. | Supply from the hollow input shaft. |
| Every 3000 hours or at least every 12 months | Complete oil change for mineral and synthetic oils operating up to 75°C. Visual inspection of the oil seal. | Supply from the hollow input shaft. In case of aging replace the seal. |
| Every 8000 hours or at least every 24 months | Thorough inspection of seals and gaskets of the gearbox. | In case of aging replace the seal. |
| Cycloidal gearboxes with grease lubrication. | ||
| FREQUENCY | TYPE OF INTERVENTION | ACTION |
| At startup | Commissioning as per instructions. Check for abnormal noises/vibrations. | Supply from the hollow input shaft. |
| Every week | Visual inspection for leaks. Check for abnormal noises/vibrations. | |
| After 6 months | Re-lubrication. | Supply from the hollow input shaft. |
| Every 2000 hours or at least every 4 months | Re-lubrication for gearboxes operating at temperatures greater than 65°C. Visual inspection of the oil seal. | Supply from the hollow input shaft. In case of aging replace the seal. |
| After 4000 hours or at least every 12 months | Re-lubrication for gearboxes operating at temperatures greater than 50°C. Thorough inspection of seals and gaskets of the gearbox. | In case of aging replace the seal. |
| It is advised to analyze a sample of lubricant taken after the first change during scheduled maintenance to rule out damage and malfunction due to lubrication and to adjust the lubricant. | ||
When to contact the manufacturer of the machine or gearbox?
First and foremost, once the factory warranty has expired, it is highly recommended to turn to experienced and reputable mechanics or workshops that have been in the industry for a long time and have the correct spare parts for the specific machine.
For more significant maintenance tasks, such as the replacement of important mechanical parts of your gearbox for olive oil decanter, you can contact Omme Gears at the end of the olive harvesting season to arrange special maintenance on the gearbox.
Omme Gears is available for quotes, gearbox condition analysis, and/or the purchase of a new gearbox. Fill the form below and we will get in touch soon!
Read our Gearbox Maintenance Manual.