What gear oil does a forklift use? Comprehensive analysis of gear oil selection and maintenance guide
In the field of construction machinery, the maintenance of forklifts is very important, and the selection of gear oil is directly related to the performance and life of the equipment. This article will combine the hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with a detailed analysis of the selection standards, frequently asked questions and industry trends of forklift gear oil.
1. Core indicators of forklift gear oil

| Indicator type | Standard requirements | Common parameters |
|---|---|---|
| Viscosity grade | ISO VG220/320 | Choose according to ambient temperature |
| API level | GL-4/GL-5 | GL-5 contains higher extreme pressure additives |
| flash point | ≥200℃ | High temperature safety indicators |
| pour point | ≤-15℃ | Low temperature fluidity guarantee |
2. Comparison of popular gear oil brands in 2023
| brand | Featured products | Applicable temperature | Price range (yuan/liter) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shell | Spirax S6 GXME | -30℃~150℃ | 80-120 |
| Mobil | Mobilube HD Plus | -25℃~140℃ | 75-110 |
| Great Wall | Heavy Duty Gear Oil | -20℃~130℃ | 50-80 |
| Kunlun | Tianhong series | -35℃~160℃ | 65-95 |
3. Gear oil replacement cycle and common problems
According to the latest data from the Construction Machinery Association (August 2023):
| Working condition type | Recommended replacement cycle | Oil change amount reference |
|---|---|---|
| Normal working conditions | 2000 hours or 12 months | 15-20L (5 tons forklift) |
| Heavy load conditions | 1000 hours or 6 months | Need to increase oil volume by 20% |
| Alpine areas | 800 hours or 4 months | Requires synthetic gear oil |
4. Recent industry hot events
1.Research and development of special oil for new energy forklifts: As the market share of electric forklifts increases (reaching 18% in 2023), major oil companies have launched special lubrication solutions for electric transmission systems.
2.New regulations for gear oil recycling: The Ministry of Ecology and Environment will implement the "Technical Specifications for Recycling of Waste Lubricating Oil" on September 1, requiring users of construction machinery to establish complete oil consumption accounts.
3.International standards update: The new version of the ISO 6743-6:2023 gear oil standard adds biodegradability requirements, and is expected to be implemented domestically in 2024.
5. Practical suggestions
1.Three-step method for oil selection: Check the manual to determine the labeling number → Select the type based on the working conditions → Select the brand based on the parameters
2.Oil change precautions: Thermal engine drains oil more thoroughly. The oil circuit should be cleaned before adding new oil. The oil level should be checked after the first operation.
3.Poor quality oil identification: Genuine gear oil should have a distinct medicinal smell, the bubbles will disappear quickly after shaking, and there will be no floc at low temperatures.
4.Emergency treatment: Mixing of different brands of gear oil should not exceed 15% of the total amount. After mixing, it should be replaced 50% of the time in advance.
Conclusion: Choosing the right gear oil is the key to ensuring long-term operation of the forklift transmission system. It is recommended that users conduct oil testing regularly (at least once a year) and pay attention to industry technology developments. Through scientific lubrication management, transmission system maintenance costs can be reduced by more than 30%.
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