Viva Energy Australia spoke with Quarry to discuss the often-overlooked role of lubricant in day-to-day quarrying operations.
In quarrying, every stage of production depends on equipment performing reliably. From primary crushers and screening plants to conveyors and stackers, gear-driven equipment works around the clock to keep material moving and operations productive.
These applications are exposed to some of the toughest operating conditions. Heavy loads, shock loading, dust contamination, and constant operation place significant demands on gearboxes and bearings. When a gearbox fails unexpectedly, the impact can be detrimental, resulting in lost production, increased maintenance costs, and unplanned downtime.
That’s why lubricant selection is more than routine maintenance. The right lubricant can help protect critical equipment from wear, contamination, and premature failure, supporting reliability across the operating chain.
With decades of industry experience, Shell works alongside quarry operators to help address maintenance challenges and optimise equipment performance. It develops lubrication technologies to help businesses protect equipment, improve operational efficiency and maximise uptime. Backed by extensive research and development capabilities led by 200 scientists and engineers, Shell’s lubricant solutions are designed to support demanding applications across construction, mining and quarrying environments.
Viva Energy Australia, Shell Lubricants’ Australian macro distributor, provides local technical expertise and Shell Lubricant’s global technology to Australian quarries.
“Our local technical helpdesk and support service is available to ensure customers match the correct lubricant to their application, including pins and bushes for excavators and the option to book on-site engineers for greasing, fitting and condition monitoring,” Viva Energy technical specialist Silvana Farrugia said.
Engineered to meet the needs of the whole machine and its applications, the Shell Lubricants portfolio brings together high performing products that work harder, for longer.
The range includes:
- Shell Omala: Industrial gear oils.
- Shell Morlina: Bearings and circulating oils.
- Shell Tellus: Hydraulic fluids.
- Shell Gadus: Grease.
Shell Omala
Crushers and conveyors can experience shock loading and contamination that accelerate wear and place strain on critical components.
Over time, these conditions can contribute to micropitting, corrosion and lubricant degradation, potentially shortening equipment life and increasing maintenance requirements.
The Shell Omala range has been developed to help address these challenges. Available in conventional and synthetic formulations, the portfolio is designed to help safeguard gears and bearings while supporting efficient operation, extended service life, and reduce the total cost of gearbox ownership.
Shell Omala comes in a “G” range suitable for enclosed industrial spur, bevel gear applications as well as a “W” range designed for industrial worm-drive applications.
“They are both for standard demanding high-load and extended-duty applications,” Farrugia said.
Shell Omala S2 GX is Shell Omala’s main line product. It exceeds industry and key gearbox manufacturers’ specifications to deliver improved oxidation stability, anti-scuffing protection, micropitting resistance, water separation, foam control and seal reliability compared with previous-generation oils.1 These advanced lubricant technologies translate into tangible operational benefits. Shell Omala S2 GX is designed to continue performing even in the presence of water and particulate contamination, helping to minimise downtime and keep operations running smoothly. Its resistance to oxidation and shear helps extend oil life and maintain protection for longer, reducing oil and filter changes.
A low foaming tendency can help reduce sump overflow and lubricant top-ups, saving both product and maintenance time, while its demulsification properties help combat corrosion and keep equipment cleaner.
Together, these benefits help lower maintenance and replacement costs.
Every hour of production matters in a quarry operation. Protecting gear-driven equipment with the right lubricant can help reduce wear, minimise unplanned maintenance and support long-term equipment reliability.
Backed by Shell’s global lubricant expertise and Viva Energy’s local technical support, the Shell Omala range provides quarry operators with a trusted lubrication solution designed to help keep crushers, conveyors and processing equipment operating at their best. •
For more information, email technicalhelpdesk@vivaenergy.com.au or call 1300 134 205
Sources:
1 ASTM D2893 endurance tests – Shell OMALA S2 GX Product leaflet
Extracted in full from: https://www.quarrymagazine.com/keeping-quarries-moving-with-viva-energy/
