The agricultural industry and Falk gear reducers go hand in hand. Gear reducers perform important jobs throughout the cropping cycle, from planting to harvest to preparing for processing. Let’s take a deeper look at how Falk gear reducers and gearboxes are used in the agricultural industry.
Tractors
The workhorse of the agricultural industry, the tractor is specifically designed to “deliver high torque at slow speeds” so that it can haul a trailer. They are often used to pull tillers behind them, but can be used for a variety of tasks.
The tractor is infinitely recombinable with an array of agricultural implements that can be towed behind them, sometimes even providing the power for the implement. Some of the applications a tractor is used for include:
- Plowing
- Tilling
- Disking
- Harrowing
- Planting
Because the tractor is involved in so much of the cropping cycle, proper maintenance of its gear reducer is a necessity. The gear reducer helps modify the torque generated by the power source (the engine) so that the speed can be modified to fit the requirements of the particular application.
Bucket Elevators
Bucket elevators are the heart of a grain facility and must operate reliably to minimize any downtime. Bucket elevators are made of four general parts:
- A bucket to contain the material.
- A belt to carry the buckets and transmit the pull.
- Something to drive the belt, often involving a Falk gearbox and Falk gear reducer.
- Accessories for the specific application.
The smooth consistent operation of a bucket elevator is made possible by gearboxes like the Falk gearbox and a gear reducer in order to modulate speed. Bucket elevators are often used to transport grain into grain elevators so grain can be stockpiled and securely stored.
Screw Conveyors & Drag Conveyors
Conveyors of many types are used to convey dry materials from one stage of the operation to another. Two of the major types used in the agricultural industry include screw conveyors and drag conveyors.
Screw conveyors are used to transport dry bulk materials (like grain) from one process to another. Drag conveyors are sometimes called chain conveyors. They are used to transfer large capacities of bulk material horizontally through a facility.
These conveyors operate in conditions that are often subject to intense environmental conditions, including dust and extreme temperatures. This necessitates the use of high quality lubricants and fluid sealing solutions to ensure continuous operation. Gear reducers are used in each of these conveyor systems to move material efficiently and smoothly. Maintenance becomes doubly important for these vital processes.
Planetary Gearboxes for Mobile Machine Applications
Planetary gearboxes may have an out-of-this-world name, but their applications are much more down to earth. A planetary gearbox is characterized by a coaxial assembly, so that the gearbox is compact.
This small size combined with their high efficiency, low clearance, and high torque to weight ratio makes them a great choice for applications that require strong accelerations and for applications that require slow speed and high torque. Agricultural applications require those exact parameters, making them perfect for use in the agricultural industry.
They do have some downsides with more complex and specialized maintenance.
Importance of Proper Maintenance for Falk Gear Reducers
Gear reducers can fail due to a number of causes. Whatever the cause, having a plan and a maintenance partner can be the difference between a costly and lengthy downtime and a quick fix.
Breakdowns can be the result of two primary causes:
- Poor system design due to choosing the wrong reducer, failing to consider operating environments, or under sizing the reducer
- Failure to properly maintain the equipment by using the right lubricant and replacement parts.
By addressing these two potential causes of downtime, you can be prepared to circumvent and quickly repair any needed maintenance.
Falk Gear Reducers for the Agricultural Industry
NW Industrial Sales, LLC has a combined 70 years of experience serving a variety of industries, including the agricultural industry. We offer a large inventory of Falk products, and surplus gear reducer parts.
We are also certified agents for Rexnord’s Industrial Services division, giving our clients access to Rexnord’s nationwide network for repair, remanufacturing, and predictive maintenance. We are here 24/7 to meet your needs, contact us today.
