Right Product. Right Application. Real Reliability.
In heavy industry, lubrication problems often show up as hotter bearings or gearbox oil degrading early. Maintenance intervals shrink, reliability drops, and costs rise.
Often, the issue is mismatch – using the wrong lubricant for the application or pushing a general-purpose product beyond its intended performance. Shell’s Omala and Gadus portfolios address two different lubrication needs, and Motion – a Shell Lubricants Reseller – helps customers specify each correctly.
Omala: Enclosed gear oil performance where loads are highest
The Shell Omala portfolio is purpose-built for enclosed industrial gear systems operating under heavy loads, high temperatures, and demanding duty cycles.
“In enclosed gear drives, oil performance has a direct impact on reliability,” says Steve Keown, Product Manager Lubricants and Lubrication Equipment, at Motion. “You’re dealing with constant load, high torque, and heat. That’s exactly where the Omala portfolio is designed to operate.”
Omala gear oils deliver load-carrying capacity, micropitting resistance, and thermal stability, helping reduce wear, failures, and maintenance frequency.
In some applications, Omala users have achieved oil drain interval extensions of up to 200%, depending on operating environment, load conditions, maintenance practices, and the use of condition monitoring programs. Results vary by site.
“Any claim around drain interval extension depends on the application and how the asset is managed,” Keown says. “The role of monitoring, operating conditions, and maintenance practices can’t be overstated.”
Motion assesses whether Omala suits a gearbox, duty cycle, and maintenance strategy to help ensure gains are sustainable.
Gadus: Grease solutions for bearings, pins and harsh environments
While Omala focuses on enclosed gear systems, the Shell Gadus portfolio addresses bearings, pins, bushings, and open components exposed to contamination, vibration, water ingress and temperature extremes.
“Grease selection is often underestimated,” Keown says. “Using the wrong grease can lead to premature bearing failures, increased relubrication frequency, and avoidable downtime.”
Gadus greases are designed to stay in place, protect under shock loads, and maintain consistency over long relubrication intervals – even in harsh environments. The range includes formulations for high loads, elevated temperatures, and wet conditions, allowing Motion to match grease selection to the application.
When correctly specified, Gadus helps reduce wear and improve asset availability across conveyors, crushers, mobile equipment, and processing plants.
Two portfolios, clearly defined roles
“They’re designed for different jobs,” Keown says. “Omala is about protecting enclosed gears under load, while Gadus is about keeping bearings and open components protected in harsh environments. When you match the product to the duty, reliability follows.”
Motion helps customers make that distinction by evaluating asset types, operating conditions and failure modes.
Expertise beyond the product
Lubrication success depends on understanding the system and monitoring performance. Motion supports customers with application audits, condition monitoring alignment, and practical guidance.
“The goal is always the same – reduce risk and improve uptime,” Keown says. “That happens when lubrication is treated as an engineered part of reliability, not just a consumable.”
Omala vs Gadus: What’s the difference?
Omala: Enclosed gear oil for gearboxes/reducers and heavily loaded gear drives. Benefits include load-carrying capacity, wear protection, thermal/oxidative stability, and potential ODI extension in suitable applications*.
*Actual performance depends on operating conditions, maintenance practices, and monitoring.
Gadus: Grease for bearings, pins, bushings, conveyors, and mobile equipment. Benefits include mechanical stability, resistance to water/contamination, shock-load protection, and extended relubrication performance.
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