Gear Boxes

A Valve Gear Box is a manual actuation device that is operated by a handwheel usually powering a worm drive gear box. This will manually turn a valve through its 90 degree turn. It utilises gears to enhance the input torque so it allows the user to turn large valves with ease by using multiple turns on the handwheel.

These gear boxes are designed to complete a 90 degree turn for the valve. To do this it utilises a worm drive gear which will convert the input torque applied through the handwheel to output torque to the shaft of the valve. The size of the gear and handwheel will give the output torque of the gear box.

The gear box sizing is based on the torque requirement for the valve to be actuated. From the valve data sheet obtain the Working Torque Nm (torque required to turn the valve at the required pressure, temperature and media viscosity) and add a minimum 30% safety factor. Always check breakaway torque for the valve. Especially on butterfly valves this can be higher than the working torque because of the unseating of the valve disc off the seats. Using this find the corresponding gear box with this figure (or greater) and select. Also check the gear box mounting pad configuration against the valve hole pattern. It may be necessary to step up a gear box size to accommodate ease of mounting.

Like any actuator this depends upon the usage case, its environment and how many times it is cycled. However all of our gear boxes are very highly specd as we design ours to operate outside in the harsh environment of Australia. They all have 316 Stainless Steel shafts and Fusion Bonded Epoxy Ductile Iron bodies and hand wheels so they will give you the longest life possible.

The Gear Box can be installed either by direct mounting or via an adaptor to any ball, butterfly or plug valve that requires a 90 degree rotation (it is best to direct mount if you can as it is a lot easier). The gear box can be mounted in any position from horizontal to vertical and tolerate most environments. Preferably in the vertical position with the position indicator to the top. If the valve does not have the ISO 5211 mounting pad an adaptor can be customized to fit. Drive adaptors may also be needed if the female drive of the gear box does not mate with the male drive of the valve.

Applying rotational output through 90 degrees the gear box can operate ball, butterfly and plug valves in many sizes. There are many uses outside actuating a valve and can be applied wherever rotational control is required. The IP67 rating gives protection against extreme weather and immersion for a set period of time at a rated depth. They are very commonly used for manual actuation of larger ball and butterfly valves.

This depends upon where you are based and the freight method chosen. If the express freight option is selected it is usually next day delivery to metropolitan areas in Australia for under 5kg. If free freight has been selected it will go by road freight which can be anywhere from 1 to 10 days depending upon your location. It usually averages 3 days.

All of our products come standard with a 12 month warranty. The good news is we have very strict quality controls and all Valve Gear Boxes leave our warehouse tested (full material and testing certificates to API598 are available) and inspected so there are rarely any issues. Also once your Gear Box is in and operating it will most likely continue to do so for a very long time.