The problem hiding in plain sight
When a major Australian pipe manufacturer asked Motion to conduct an on-site audit of its fixed plant, the issues were immediately apparent. Excessive wear. Costly oil change routines. A lubricant that simply wasn’t up to the demands of continuous, heavy-duty gearbox operation.
“Our customer was spending 3–4 days each year changing out nearly 1000L of oil,” explains Mark Brocherie, Business Manager at Motion. “And this was a logistical challenge in terms of handling, disposing and replacing the gearbox oil. We needed a lubricant that could handle heavy, continuous use without breaking down or requiring constant replacement, and Shell Omala S2 GX 220 was a perfect fit.”
The solution that went the distance
Shell Omala S2 GX 220 is a heavy-duty industrial gear oil designed for the very conditions the customer was facing: high loads, sustained runtime, and no tolerance for performance drop-off. Its advanced additive system resists oxidation, combats corrosion and micro-pitting, and delivers thermal stability under punishing conditions.
“This Shell oil is particularly effective in prolonging the interval between oil changes,” Brocherie says. “By switching to this product, this specific customer was able to move from a yearly changeover to intervals of two or even three years.”
For a site previously stuck in an annual cycle of labour-intensive maintenance, the benefits of stretching out service intervals were immediate – and measurable.
More than a product – a complete solution
What made the project successful, however, wasn’t just the lubricant itself. It was the broader service Motion delivered around it: auditing, product selection, technical support, supplier engagement, and implementation – all integrated through a single point of contact.
This was a classic example of Motion’s model in action – combining deep application knowledge with national supply capability and frontline engineering support.
“Our product support team was fantastic, eagerly looking to solve the underlying issues and provide peace of mind to our customer’s critical operation,” says Brocherie.
It’s a service offering that goes beyond transactional product supply – bringing together Motion’s experience across power transmission, condition monitoring and lubrication engineering to drive longer-term plant performance.
From early gains to long-term results
According to Brocherie, the transition to Shell’s lubricants was seamless, with noticeable impact from the outset. The oil held up under lab testing, simplified the site’s maintenance planning, and improved performance stability over time.
“The customer could see results from early on,” he says. “Their oil sampling results confirmed that it retained its integrity over the long haul, and the service life was immediately apparent.”
The new regime has reduced the risk of unexpected downtime, while freeing up labour previously dedicated to oil management. With less intervention needed, plant reliability has quietly increased.
Cutting consumption, cost and complexity
Shifting to Omala S2 GX 220 didn’t just stretch oil life – it delivered significant commercial upside. The customer achieved a 40% reduction in oil consumption costs, while also cutting the labour, waste, and risk associated with routine oil changes.
Instead of reacting to wear, the site is now proactively managing it – with the support of Motion’s team and the proven performance of Shell’s premium lubricant range.
“Now, instead of changing the oil every year, this specific customer is looking at a two-to-three-year schedule,” Brocherie adds. “That’s doubling the oil’s life for this customer, and significantly reducing stress on the gearboxes, all while cutting costs.” Disclaimer: Motion Asia Pacific Pty Ltd has prepared this for your general information and to use as a general reference. The results mentioned in this case study are specific to this customer and their unique operational conditions. Actual results may vary depending on the use and circumstances. Please refer to the Shell Omala S2 GX 220 Technical Data Sheet for full specifications.