We’ve seen it year after year. Summer hits, and gearbox failures go through the roof. Higher ambient temperatures put even more stress on systems already running hot. Add dust, humidity, and round-the-clock workloads, and you’ve got the perfect storm for gearbox overheating.It doesn’t take long. One overheated unit can throw an entire line out of sync. You’re suddenly facing downtime, production delays, and an urgent need for gearbox repair.
Here’s what’s really happening, and what you can do right now to stay ahead.
Why Summer Heat Wrecks Gearboxes Faster
Your gearbox isn’t just affected by workload; it’s also fighting environmental heat. In hot months, internal temperatures spike faster, especially if the ventilation is poor or lubricant levels are low.
The oil inside thickens or thins out beyond the ideal viscosity. That’s bad news. Poor lubrication means parts grind harder, creating more friction, more heat, and more wear. If left unchecked, it leads to gear damage, bearing failure, or even complete seizure.
Excessive heat can also degrade seals and gaskets, allowing contaminants to enter the system. It’s a domino effect; gearbox overheating makes everything worse, fast.
5 Signs Your Gearbox Is Running Too Hot
Don’t wait for a catastrophic failure. Watch for these early warning signs of overheating:
- Hot-to-the-touch casing– especially when it’s hotter than the surrounding equipment.
- Burnt-smelling oil– often the first indicator that lubrication has broken down.
- Unusual vibrations or noise– misalignment and heat expansion can throw the gear mesh off.
- Lubricant leaks– degraded seals can’t hold up under thermal stress.
- Sudden drop in performance– higher torque loads with lower efficiency are a major red flag.
If you’re seeing any of these, it’s time for a check-up. Preventive gearbox repair now can save you from full replacements later.
How to Protect Your Gearbox from Summer Heat
At Hanson Gear Works, we recommend a few simple but smart steps to beat the heat:
- Inspect and top off lubrication more frequently in summer. Use high-temp rated oil.
- Improve airflow around the gearbox, clear vents, and check for obstructions.
- Install temperature monitoring sensors for real-time data.
- Check seals and gaskets, and replace any that are brittle or showing signs of wear.
- Schedule preventive gearbox repair or inspection before peak heat sets in.
A few small adjustments now can prevent days or weeks of unexpected downtime later.
Don’t Let Summer Heat Shut You Down
Book a Proactive Gearbox Inspection Today!
We’ve been helping customers stay ahead of gearbox failures for decades, and we know what summer does to your equipment. If your system is running hot, making noise, or hasn’t been serviced in a while, don’t wait for it to give out.
Let’s check everything before it costs you production time. We’ll inspect, repair, and optimize your gearbox so you can get through summer without interruptions.
Contact Hanson Gear Works today for fast, reliable gearbox repair and inspection in Houston. We’ll keep your operation cool, steady, and on schedule, no shutdowns necessary.
