What are Specialty Lubricants?

Specialty lubricants are designed for extreme pressure, temperature, corrosion and heavy-duty industrial applications.

Why are Specialty Lubricants required?

They improve equipment reliability, reduce friction and extend equipment service life in demanding industrial environments.

Where are Specialty Lubricants commonly used?

Specialty lubricants are widely used in oil and gas, mining, cement plants, steel mills, marine and power generation industries.

How do Specialty Lubricants differ from normal grease?

Unlike normal grease, specialty lubricants are engineered to perform under extreme pressure, high temperature and corrosive industrial environments.

Can PSC help select the right lubricant?

Yes. PSC provides application-driven lubricant selection based on equipment type, operating conditions and industry requirements.

Drilling Equipment Gear Oil Additives TS Moly TS90

Mud Pump Gear Oil Additives: Protecting Critical Drilling Equipment from Wear, Shock Load and Downtime

Inside every mud pump power end, gears and bearings are fighting continuous shock, cyclic load and contamination. Here is what you need to know to protect them.

PSC Global — Specialty Lubrication Drilling Series · Technical Guide 8 min read

Mud pumps are among the most heavily loaded mechanical systems on a drilling rig — operating under continuous cycling, shock loading, high torque and extended running hours. When the gear oil film inside the power end is not strong enough, the result is increased friction, metal-to-metal contact, heat generation, accelerated wear and costly unplanned downtime.

Why mud pump gearboxes need extra protection

Heavy cyclic loadsContinuous reciprocating motion generates peak load spikes every stroke

Shock loadingSudden pressure surges cause instantaneous load spikes across gear teeth

Long running hours24/7 drilling operations leave no recovery time for components

Remote locationsRig downtime in remote or offshore locations carries extreme cost

Difficult accessPower end maintenance is complex, time-consuming and operationally disruptive

High downtime costA single pump failure can halt drilling operations across the entire rig

What gear oil additives do

A gear oil additive improves the performance of the existing lubricant. The objective is not to replace the base gear oil but to enhance protection precisely where equipment is exposed to severe load and sliding contact.

Increased film strength

Higher load-carrying ability

Boundary lubrication support

Wear protection at contact surfaces

Friction reduction

Gear tooth and bearing protection

Boundary lubrication and shock loading: In ideal conditions, the lubricant film keeps metal surfaces fully separated. In mud pump gear systems, load peaks, vibration and shock conditions cause the oil film to thin or break down entirely. At this critical moment, boundary lubrication is all that stands between the gear tooth surfaces and metal-to-metal contact. A correctly selected additive maintains protective separation where base oil alone cannot.

What poor gear lubrication leads to

These problems typically develop gradually — often going undetected until the damage is already significant.

Gear tooth wear

Bearing wear

Elevated operating temperature

Noise and vibration

Accelerated oil degradation

Scuffing and pitting

Shortened component life

Unplanned rig downtime

When to consider a gear oil additive

Severe operating load — pump consistently running near or at rated capacity

Visible gear wear — tooth surface degradation identified during inspection

Elevated temperature — power end running consistently above normal operating range

Long continuous runs — extended drilling campaigns without planned maintenance windows

Harsh environment — desert, arctic, offshore or high-humidity operating conditions

Repeated wear history — gearbox maintenance records show recurring wear issues

High downtime cost — any unplanned pump failure carries significant rig productivity impact

Product spotlight

TS Moly TS90 — Severe-Duty Gear Oil Additive for Oilfield Equipment

For mud pump applications where additional load-carrying and anti-wear support is required, TS Moly TS90 is a natural fit. It is designed for exactly the operating conditions that mud pump power ends face: heavy cyclic load, shock, vibration and continuous duty. Rather than being treated as a generic additive, TS90 should be evaluated as part of a critical lubrication review for any severe-duty oilfield gear application.

Mud pump power ends Drawworks gearboxes Rotary tables Top drive gear units Severe-duty rig gearboxes

What to check before selecting an additive

Not every additive is suitable for every gearbox or lubricant system. Incorrect additive selection can create compatibility issues or actively reduce lubricant performance. Review these before any product decision.

Existing gear oil type and viscosity grade

Pump model and OEM recommendations

Operating temperature range

Load conditions and shock frequency

Oil change interval and drain schedule

Filtration system specification

Seal and elastomer compatibility

Gearbox maintenance history

A practical mud pump lubrication programme

Gear oil additives should be used as part of a planned reliability programme — not as a last-minute response after damage has already occurred.

Correct base gear oil selection

Periodic oil condition inspection

Gear and bearing condition checks

Temperature monitoring

Contamination control

Additive compatibility review

Planned oil change intervals

Documented maintenance records

Conclusion

Mud pumps operate under some of the most demanding conditions on a drilling rig. Their gear systems require strong lubrication protection against continuous load, wear, shock and extended running hours — protection that base gear oil alone may not be able to deliver under peak operating conditions.

Gear oil additives, when correctly selected and applied as part of a structured lubrication programme, can meaningfully extend component life, reduce operating temperature and protect against the wear mechanisms that lead to unplanned downtime. For drilling contractors and rig maintenance teams, products like TS Moly TS90 deserve serious consideration in any severe-duty gear lubrication review.

PSC supports oilfield customers with specialty lubricants, gear oil additives, anti-seize compounds, valve lubricants, sealants and critical maintenance consumables for drilling, offshore, pipeline and industrial applications.

Speak to a PSC Oilfield Lubrication Specialist

Application-specific product selection for mud pumps, drawworks, rotary tables and severe-duty rig gearboxes. TS Moly TS90 and the full PSC product range available across India, Dubai and Houston.

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