Gear Oil & Industrial Gear Lubricants — South Africa
The complete guide to API GL-4, GL-5, ISO VG industrial gear oil, Mobilgear 600 XP and Mobilgear SHC — with bulk supply for mining, manufacturing and fleet operations across the Western Cape and Gauteng.
Request Bulk QuoteWhat Is Gear Oil?
Gear oil is a specialised lubricant engineered to protect gears, bearings and shafts under extreme mechanical pressure. Unlike engine oils, gear lubricants must withstand crushing contact stress between gear teeth while maintaining a stable, protective film across a wide temperature range.
There are two fundamentally different families of gear oil — and using the wrong one causes equipment damage and voids OEM warranties.
Automotive Gear Oil
For vehicle axles, final drives and manual gearboxes. Classified by API GL category (GL-4, GL-5) and SAE viscosity (80W-90, 85W-140). Contains extreme-pressure sulphur-phosphorus additives for hypoid gear protection.
Industrial Gear Oil
For enclosed gearboxes in factories, mines and processing plants. Classified by ISO VG grade (150, 220, 320, 460, 680) and AGMA class. Formulated for continuous operation, high thermal load and micropitting resistance.
Why They Are Not Interchangeable
Automotive GL-5 in an industrial gearbox — or vice versa — is a specification failure. The additive chemistry, viscosity classification and OEM approval requirements are entirely different. Always confirm which family applies before ordering.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Industrial gearbox replacement on a conveyor or mill drive costs R300,000–R2,000,000+. In mining operations, a gearbox failure means production halts measured in shifts. Correct lubricant specification is a production continuity decision.
API Gear Oil Classifications
The API GL system classifies automotive gear oils only — not industrial gearboxes. Each category specifies gear geometry, load conditions and operating environment. Selecting the wrong API category voids OEM warranties and risks equipment damage.
| API Grade | Application | EP Level | Typical SA Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| API GL-4 | Hypoid gears, moderate speed and torque. Manual gearboxes and transaxles. | Medium-High | Passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, many European OEM gearboxes. Synchroniser-compatible. |
| API GL-5 | Hypoid gears, high-speed shock load, low-speed high-torque. Heavy-duty axles and final drives. | High EP | Mining haul trucks, heavy commercial vehicles, off-highway construction and agricultural equipment. |
| API MT-1 | Non-synchronised heavy-duty manual transmissions. | High | Eaton Fuller, ZF heavy truck gearboxes. Often specified alongside GL-5 for rear axles. |
Industrial Gear Oil — ISO VG Classification
For Enclosed Industrial Gearboxes · Mining · Manufacturing · Processing Plants
Industrial gearboxes need industrial gear oil — not automotive GL-5.
Automotive GL-5 gear oils are formulated for intermittent hypoid axle lubrication. Industrial enclosed gearboxes — conveyor drives, crusher gearboxes, extruder reducers, mill gears — run continuously under sustained load and elevated temperature. They require industrial gear oils classified by ISO VG grade, meeting AGMA, DIN 51517 and Flender specifications.
Industrial gear oils are classified by the ISO Viscosity Grade (ISO VG) system. The ISO VG number represents the nominal kinematic viscosity in centistokes at 40°C. The correct grade is determined by the gearbox OEM based on gear geometry, speed, load and operating temperature.
ISO VG Grade Selection — South African Industrial Applications
| ISO VG Grade | Viscosity @ 40°C | AGMA Class | Typical Application in SA Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 68 | 68 cSt | 2 EP | High-speed lightly loaded gearboxes, small helical reducers, food and beverage drives |
| ISO 100 | 100 cSt | 3 EP | Medium-speed general purpose gearboxes, packaging lines, light conveyor drives |
| ISO 150 | 150 cSt | 4 EP | General industrial gearboxes, agitators, fans, light conveyor drives, pump gearboxes |
| ISO 220 | 220 cSt | 5 EP | Most common grade. Medium-duty enclosed gearboxes, conveyor drives, mixers, screens — the standard across SA mining and manufacturing |
| ISO 320 | 320 cSt | 6 EP | Heavily loaded gearboxes, slower speed drives, extruders, presses, large conveyor head drives |
| ISO 460 | 460 cSt | 7 EP | Slow-speed high-load gearboxes, bucket wheel drives, crusher drives, ball and rod mill gearboxes |
| ISO 680 | 680 cSt | 8 EP | Very slow, very high load — large rotary kiln drives, mine winder gearboxes, high-temperature applications |
Industrial Application Guide
| Equipment / Application | Typical ISO VG | Recommended Product |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyor head drive gearboxes (general duty) | ISO 220 – 320 | Mobilgear 600 XP 220 / 320 |
| Crusher drive gearboxes — jaw, cone, impact | ISO 320 – 460 | Mobilgear 600 XP 320/460 or Mobilgear SHC 320/460 for extended drain |
| Ball mill and rod mill gearboxes | ISO 460 – 680 | Mobilgear 600 XP 460 / 680 |
| Bucket wheel drive gearboxes | ISO 460 | Mobilgear 600 XP 460 or Mobilgear SHC 460 for extended drain |
| Extruder and mixer gearboxes | ISO 220 – 460 | Mobilgear 600 XP 220 / 320 |
| Industrial fans and blower gearboxes | ISO 150 – 220 | Mobilgear 600 XP 150 / 220 |
| Case-hardened high-power-density gearboxes | ISO 320 – 460 | Mobilgear SHC 320 / 460 — micropitting-critical applications |
| Mine winder and hoist gearboxes | ISO 460 – 680 | Mobilgear 600 XP 460 / 680 — confirm OEM and regulatory spec |
Mobilgear Industrial Gear Oil Range
Orbit Industrial supplies both Mobil industrial gear oil series — Mobilgear 600 XP (mineral) for standard industrial applications, and Mobilgear SHC (fully synthetic PAO) for severe-duty, extended drain and micropitting-critical applications.
Mineral Industrial Gear Oil
Mobilgear 600 XP Series
ISO VG 68 – 680 · DIN 51517-3 CLP · Flender Approved
Extra high-performance mineral gear oil for all types of enclosed gear drives. Outstanding EP load-carrying and micropitting resistance across its full grade range.
Grades: ISO 68 · 100 · 150 · 220 · 320 · 460 · 680
Key specs: VI 97 · FZG micropitting Stage 10 / High · FZG scuffing Stage 10 · Max 100°C
OEM approvals: Flender BA 7300 · AGMA 9005-F16 · DIN 51517-3 · ISO 12925-1 CKD/CKC
Request a quote →Fully Synthetic PAO Industrial Gear Oil
Mobilgear SHC Series
ISO VG 320 & 460 · PAO Synthetic · Extended Drain
Supreme performance synthetic gear oil from PAO base stocks for severe-duty enclosed gear drives. Specifically formulated for micropitting resistance on case-hardened gear tooth metallurgies and extended drain intervals.
Grades: ISO 320 · 460
Key specs: VI 164 · Pour point −38°C · FZG micropitting Stage 10 / High · FZG scuffing Stage 14+ · Max 121°C
Best for: Continuous-duty mining gearboxes · Case-hardened gearing · High-temperature · Extended drain programmes
Request a quote →Automotive Gear Oil — Mobilube HD Range
For heavy-duty vehicle axles, final drives and manual gearboxes, Orbit Industrial supplies the Mobilube HD range — the benchmark GL-5 gear lubricant for South African commercial transport, mining haul fleets and off-highway equipment.
API GL-5 · Heavy Duty Axle Oil
Mobilube HD 80W-90
The most widely specified GL-5 gear oil in South African mining and commercial transport. For heavy-duty axles, final drives and hypoid gears operating under high speed/shock load and low speed/high torque conditions.
View product →API GL-5 · Severe Duty
Mobilube HD 85W-140
High-viscosity GL-5 for severe-duty axles under high load and elevated temperature. The preferred choice for heavy mining equipment, high-load differentials and equipment operating in extreme temperature conditions.
Request a quote →Transmission Oil · Allison C-4
Mobiltrans HD 30
Heavy-duty transmission oil for Allison automatic transmissions widely used in South African mining trucks, buses and construction equipment. Meets Allison C-4 and TES-295 specifications.
View product →Mineral vs Synthetic Industrial Gear Oil
For high-utilisation mining and manufacturing operations, the choice between Mobilgear 600 XP (mineral) and Mobilgear SHC (synthetic) is a commercial decision as much as a technical one.
How to Select the Right Gear Oil
Automotive or Industrial?
Vehicle axles and manual gearboxes use automotive gear oils (API GL + SAE viscosity). Enclosed industrial gearboxes in production plants and mining equipment use industrial gear oils (ISO VG + AGMA class). These are not interchangeable.
Read the OEM Specification
The gearbox nameplate or equipment manual specifies the exact lubricant grade required — "ISO VG 220 EP", "AGMA 5 EP", "DIN 51517-3 CLP 220" or a brand approval like "Flender BA 7300". Contact Orbit Industrial if nameplate data is unclear.
Match Viscosity to Operating Temperature
For industrial gearboxes, the ISO VG grade is matched to expected bulk oil temperature and shaft speed. Northern Cape mining operations in summer may push sump temperatures to 110°C+ — favouring higher viscosity or synthetic formulations.
Evaluate Micropitting Risk
If your gearbox uses case-hardened gearing — common in modern high-power-density gearboxes from Flender, SEW, Lenze and Nord — micropitting is a specific failure risk. Mobilgear SHC is specifically engineered for this failure mode. Confirm gear tooth metallurgy with your OEM documentation.
Calculate TCO — Not Just Price Per Litre
Mobilgear SHC costs more per litre than 600 XP. But for continuous-operation equipment the relevant comparison is total cost over 3–5 years: drain interval length, oil change labour, waste oil disposal and avoided gearbox failure cost. Contact Orbit Industrial for a fleet-specific analysis →
Gear Oil FAQ
I don't know what ISO grade my gearbox takes — how do I find out?
Check the gearbox nameplate fixed to the housing — it will typically state "ISO VG 220 EP", "AGMA 5 EP", "DIN 51517-3 CLP 220" or a brand-specific approval like "Flender BA 7300". If the nameplate is worn or missing, check the OEM manual using the gearbox make, model and serial number. Contact Orbit Industrial with the gearbox details if you still cannot locate it — our technical team will identify the correct grade.
Can I use GL-5 automotive gear oil in my industrial gearbox?
No. Automotive GL-5 and industrial ISO VG gear oils are formulated for fundamentally different applications. GL-5 contains aggressive sulphur-phosphorus EP additives corrosive to yellow metals in industrial gearbox bearings and thrust washers. Industrial gearboxes carry AGMA, DIN 51517-3 and ISO 12925-1 classifications — not API GL ratings. Using GL-5 in an industrial gearbox voids OEM warranties and risks equipment damage.
We have Flender, SEW and Nord gearboxes on site — will Mobilgear 600 XP cover all of them?
Yes in most cases. Mobilgear 600 XP is approved under Flender BA 7300 Table A (ISO 100–680) and meets DIN 51517-3 and AGMA 9005-F16, covering the majority of SEW-Eurodrive and Nord specifications. You still need to match the correct ISO VG grade to each gearbox unit from the nameplate. Contact Orbit Industrial if you need help cross-referencing grades across a mixed gearbox fleet.
What is micropitting and why does it matter?
Micropitting is a surface fatigue failure mode affecting hardened gear tooth surfaces in high-power-density gearboxes. It begins as microscopic cracks creating a grey frosted appearance, progressing to macropitting (spalling) and ultimately tooth fracture and catastrophic failure. Mobilgear 600 XP achieves FZG Stage 10 / High micropitting rating. Mobilgear SHC's PAO base and proprietary additive system was specifically engineered for case-hardened gear applications where micropitting is the primary failure risk.
Can I use GL-5 gear oil where GL-4 is specified?
Not always. In manual gearboxes with brass or bronze synchronisers, GL-5 chemistry corrodes yellow metals — causing gear change difficulty and gearbox failure. Many European vehicle manufacturers (Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz) specify GL-4 for their manual gearboxes for precisely this reason. Always follow OEM specifications.
How often should I change industrial gear oil in a conveyor gearbox?
Mobilgear 600 XP (Mineral): Typical intervals of 3,000–6,000 hours under normal conditions, or annually — whichever comes first. Mobilgear SHC (Synthetic): Extended intervals of 6,000–12,000+ hours achievable when validated through regular oil analysis. Best practice: implement a routine oil analysis programme — sample gearbox oil every 1,000–2,000 hours and analyse for viscosity, oxidation, water content and wear metals.
Does Orbit Industrial supply Mobilgear in bulk for mining tenders?
Yes. Orbit Industrial is an established B2B and government procurement supplier supporting mining sector tenders and large-scale industrial SLA contracts across South Africa. We supply Mobilgear 600 XP and all Mobil lubricants in 20L pails, 208L drums, 1,000L IBCs and bulk tanker delivery. We provide certified product data sheets, safety data sheets, OEM approval confirmation and tender compliance documentation. Coverage: Western Cape, Northern Cape, Garden Route and Gauteng. Submit a bulk or tender enquiry →
Need the Right Gear Oil for Your Operation?
From ISO VG 150 conveyor gearboxes to 85W-140 mining truck axles — Orbit Industrial's technical team provides application-specific gear oil selection, Mobilgear product supply and bulk procurement support across South Africa.
Request Bulk Quote