Industrial Gearboxes

Old Glory Fabrication & Repairs in Jacksonville provides forensic-level repair and remanufacturing for the high-torque gearboxes and final drives that power industrial production. We specialize in identifying failure modes in complex planetary, helical, and worm gear systems, restoring mechanical integrity to minimize unplanned downtime in manufacturing and heavy industry.

Service Scope

Our facility is engineered to handle the reconstruction of specialized gear drives that require precision tolerances and high-load capacity.

  • Planetary & Helical Rebuilds: Complete restoration of multi-stage gear reductions and high-torque drives.

  • Final Drive Remanufacturing: Expert service for earthmoving and industrial crawler drives (Cat, Komatsu, John Deere).

  • Bearing & Seal Hardening: Utilization of premium rollers and high-temp seals to extend MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure).

  • Shaft & Bore Restoration: Precision machining and sleeve installation to correct spun bearings or damaged splines.

  • Lubrication System Analysis: Inspection of internal oil paths and pumps to ensure consistent cooling and gear protection.

  • Custom Gearing Solutions: Sourcing and fitment of specialized gear sets for obsolete or proprietary industrial units.

Common Failure Modes

For maintenance managers, recognizing the progression of gearbox wear is the key to transitioning from reactive to predictive maintenance.

  • Gear Pitting & Spalling: Micro-fractures on tooth faces caused by surface fatigue or lubrication film breakdown.

  • Excessive Backlash: "Slop" in the gear train that leads to shock loading and eventual tooth shear.

  • Abnormal Heat Signature: Rapid temperature spikes often indicating bearing preload failure or internal friction.

  • Acoustic Changes: High-frequency whining or low-frequency growling signaling misalignment or eccentric shaft wear.

  • Oil Oxidation: Discolored or "burnt" gear oil indicating the unit is operating outside its thermal design envelope.

Our Process

We treat industrial gearbox repair as a forensic engineering project, documenting every measurement to ensure the unit returns to service in "better than new" condition.

  • Forensic Disassembly: Units are stripped and chemically degreased to allow for NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) of critical components.

  • Root Cause Diagnosis: We don't just fix the gear; we identify if the failure was due to misalignment, overloading, or contamination.

  • Precision Calibration: Setting gear mesh and bearing float to exact micron-level specifications.

  • Documentation: Every rebuild includes a comprehensive build sheet with final backlash and torque-to-rotate measurements.

  • Post-Repair Validation: Verification of seal integrity and rotational smoothness before the unit is crated for return.

Applications & Industries

Our Jacksonville facility supports the heavy-duty machinery that forms the backbone of North Florida’s industrial and logistics sectors.

  • Manufacturing & Processing: Conveyor drives, mixers, and agitators used in local production facilities.

  • Maritime & Port Operations: High-torque winches, crane drives, and terminal tractor gearboxes.

  • Construction & Mining: Final drives for excavators, dozers, and material handling equipment.

  • Energy & Utilities: Gear reduction units for pumps, fans, and power generation auxiliary systems.

  • Waste & Recycling: Heavy-duty compactors and shredder drives that endure extreme shock loading.

Why Us?

Old Glory Fab bridges the gap between general repair shops and expensive OEM replacements by offering high-precision technical restoration.

  • Forensic Accuracy: We focus on why the unit failed to prevent recurring maintenance cycles.

  • Fleet-Scale Capability: Equipped to handle the size and weight of industrial and Class 8 drivetrain units.

  • Data-Driven Results: We provide maintenance foremen with the technical data needed for equipment logs.

  • Regional Expertise: Local support for Jacksonville’s industrial hubs with nationwide ship-in capability.

  • Cost Efficiency: Remanufacturing often provides a 40-60% savings over purchasing a new replacement unit.

Service Area

We provide rapid-response drivetrain and gearbox support for industrial operations throughout the First Coast and Southeast Georgia.

  • Industrial Hubs: Direct service for Jacksonville, Brunswick, and St. Marys.

  • Local Counties: Support for Duval, Nassau, Clay, and St. Johns industrial parks.

  • Regional Logistics: Serving the port and rail corridors of North Florida.

  • Bench Service: Nationwide shipping options for units requiring specialized forensic reconstruction.

Pricing & Estimates

Industrial gearbox estimates are provided following a comprehensive teardown to ensure an accurate assessment of internal planetary and bearing health.

  • Industrial Gearbox Rebuilds: Quoted on a per-project basis following failure analysis.

  • Final Drive Service: Competitive labor rates for standard earthmoving and crawler units.

  • Diagnostic Evaluation: Flat-rate teardown fee credited toward the total cost of the rebuild.

  • Expedited Service: Priority turnarounds available for "Line Down" critical equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Technical answers for industrial maintenance managers regarding gearbox longevity and repair protocols.

  • Can you repair obsolete industrial gearboxes? Yes, we specialize in forensic restoration and can often source or adapt components for units no longer supported by the OEM.

  • What is the most common cause of gearbox failure? Lubrication contamination and bearing fatigue account for nearly 75% of industrial gearbox failures we see in Jacksonville.

  • How long does a final drive rebuild take? Most standard final drives are completed within 5 to 7 business days, depending on parts availability.

  • Do you offer failure analysis reports? Every major industrial rebuild includes a build sheet and summary of our findings for your maintenance records.

  • Can you service planetary drives for excavators? Yes, we provide full remanufacturing for Cat, John Deere, and Komatsu final drives.

  • Do you handle high-torque helical gearboxes? We are equipped to service a wide range of helical and bevel-helical drives used in heavy manufacturing.

  • Why is my gearbox overheating? Overheating is typically a sign of bearing preload issues, internal friction, or a breakdown in lubrication viscosity.

  • Can I ship my gearbox to your shop? Yes, we accept crated or palletized units from across the country for precision bench service.

  • Do you provide on-site diagnostics? We focus on bench-level forensic repair at our Jacksonville facility to ensure a clean-room environment for assembly.

  • What is the cost difference between repair and replacement? Precision remanufacturing typically costs significantly less than a new OEM unit while providing similar service life.

Contact Us

For faster service, please provide equipment details (make, model, serial number or VIN) and a clear description of the issue or service needed.