ZR45 Slewing Drive Planetary Gearbox — Right-Angle Bevel-Planetary, 3-5 Stage
EP-ZR45 — The Flagship Slewing Drive for Heavy-Lift Machinery
De EP-ZR45 is the largest frame in the ZR slewing drive series. Where the mid-range ZR06-ZR10 models serve general construction cranes and excavators, the ZR45 targets the machinery that moves the heaviest loads on earth: ship-to-shore gantry cranes handling 40-foot containers at 30+ cycles per hour, mining excavators with bucket payloads exceeding 15 cubic metres, offshore derrick cranes rated for 1,000-tonne lifts, and steel mill ladle turrets rotating 300-tonne molten metal vessels.
At 42,500 Nm continuous and 110,500 Nm peak, the ZR45 produces torque levels that exceed the headline specification (40,500 Nm) published for the series by 5%. This margin exists because the 3-5 stage configurations use the largest available bevel input pair (R16/R10/R06 sub-variants), providing greater tooth contact area than the 2-stage variants of smaller frames.
ZR45 Technical Parameters — 3 Precision-Matched Ratio Configurations
Unlike smaller ZR frames that offer dozens of ratio options, the ZR45 concentrates on three optimised reduction points — one per stage count — each engineered for a specific speed class of heavy-lift slewing. All three deliver the same 42,500 Nm continuous / 110,500 Nm peak torque at the output. The engineering trade-off between them is thermal power capacity versus ratio.
| Configuratie | Verhouding | Cont. Torque (Nm) | Max. Torque (Nm) | n1 Max (RPM) | Pt F / M (kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZR45**3 / R16 | 14.19 | 42,500 | 110,500 | 2,500 | 26.5 / 38.0 |
| ZR45**4 / R10 | 43.43 | 42,500 | 110,500 | 2,500 | 11.5 / 13.5 |
| ZR45**5 / R06 | 109.70 | 42,500 | 110,500 | 2,500 | 9.5 / 12.5 |
Highest thermal capacity (26.5-38.0 kW). For high-duty-cycle applications: excavator upper-structure rotation, STS crane slewing with frequent start-stop reversals. Output speed up to 176 rpm at full motor speed.
Balanced thermal and ratio. For medium-speed crane slewing: port mobile cranes, offshore pedestal cranes, large piling rigs. Output speed up to 57 rpm. The most commonly specified ZR45 variant.
Maximum reduction for creep-speed positioning: ship-unloader boom slewing, steel mill ladle turret rotation, offshore drilling platform turntable. Output speed up to 23 rpm. Lowest thermal capacity — suitable for intermittent or low-speed continuous duty.
Dual-Drive Configuration — Doubling Capacity or Adding Redundancy
At the 42,500 Nm torque class, many applications — particularly STS container cranes, large mining excavators, and offshore heavy-lift cranes — require either double the torque capacity of a single drive, or redundancy that allows the machine to continue operating safely if one drive fails. The ZR45 is specifically designed for dual-drive mounting, where two units engage the same slewing ring from diametrically opposed positions.
Two ZR45 units at ratio 43.43 deliver a combined 85,000 Nm continuous / 221,000 Nm peak to the slewing ring. Both motors run at equal speed and equal hydraulic flow. The slewing ring pinion module and tooth count must be identical on both units, and the mounting geometry must position the pinions 180 degrees apart on the ring gear for balanced load distribution.
Both units share the slewing load equally during normal operation, but the machine can complete its working cycle on a single drive if one unit is taken offline for maintenance. The hydraulic or electrical control system must include a load-sensing circuit that detects unequal motor pressure or current and adjusts flow or frequency to prevent the healthy drive from overloading during single-drive operation.
Both ZR45 units must use the same gear ratio and the same output pinion specification. The slewing ring manufacturer must verify that the ring gear tooth profile and hardness are rated for the combined mesh force of two pinions. Contact our engineering team for a dual-drive dimensional layout drawing and pinion-to-ring load calculation specific to your slewing ring supplier.
ZR45 at a Glance
- Cont. torque42,500 Nm
- Peak torque110,500 Nm
- Verhoudingen14.19 / 43.43 / 109.70
- Max input2,500 rpm
- Thermal9.5-38.0 kW
- Fasen3 / 4 / 5
- SealingIP67 FKM
- HousingQT600-3
Engineered for the Heaviest Slewing Loads in Industry

Ship-to-Shore Container Cranes
STS cranes handle 25-40 container cycles per hour, each cycle involving an upper-structure slew of 90-180 degrees under wind loads that routinely exceed 10 kN lateral force on the boom. The ZR45**3 at ratio 14.19 provides the high-speed, high-duty-cycle capability these machines demand, with the 26.5-38.0 kW thermal capacity absorbing the heat generated by relentless start-stop-reverse operation without external cooling systems.
Mining Excavators and Rope Shovels (80+ Tonnes)
Hydraulic excavators in the 80-200 tonne operating weight class and electric rope shovels generate sustained slewing torques of 25,000-40,000 Nm during loaded swing. The ZR45**3 at 14.19 ratio, driven by 160-250 cc/rev axial piston motors at 350 bar, matches this requirement. For machines that also need track drive planetary gearboxes in the undercarriage, the ZR45 and EP-SE series share compatible BF-flange hydraulic motor interfaces.
Offshore Heavy-Lift and Steel Mill Applications
Offshore derrick cranes rated for 500-2,000 tonne lifts and steel mill ladle turrets rotating 300-tonne molten metal vessels represent the most severe slewing duty in industrial engineering. The ZR45**5 at ratio 109.70 provides the ultra-low output speed (under 23 rpm) and full 42,500 Nm continuous torque these applications require, while the IP67 sealing and marine-grade coating protect against seawater, molten metal splash, and aggressive chemical environments.
Target Industries
- STS and RTG container cranes
- Mining excavators 80-200 t
- Electric rope shovels
- Offshore pedestal cranes
- Offshore drilling turntables
- Ship-unloader boom rotation
- Steel mill ladle turrets
- Large piling rigs

Maintenance Lifecycle — 20-Year Service Projection
Heavy-lift machinery commonly operates for 3,000-5,000 hours per year. The timeline below projects the ZR45 maintenance schedule at 4,000 hours per year, which represents typical port crane or mining excavator utilisation. Adjust intervals proportionally for higher or lower annual operating hours. Contact Korea Ever-Power engineering for a customised maintenance plan based on your specific duty cycle.
hrs
First Oil Change (Month 1-2)
Drain the factory-fill oil and refill with ISO VG 220 PAO synthetic gear oil. The first change removes fine metallic wear particles generated during the gear running-in period. Send a 100 ml oil sample for particle count analysis to establish the baseline for future condition monitoring.
hrs
Scheduled Oil Change + Seal Inspection (Year 1)
Full oil change. Inspect output shaft seal for grease weep. Check breather valve for blockage. Verify mounting bolt torque. Oil sample analysis: compare iron and copper particle levels against the 500-hour baseline. A step-change increase indicates accelerated gear or bearing wear that should be investigated.
hrs
Extended Inspection (Year 2)
Oil change + oil analysis. Preventive output shaft seal replacement (FKM seals rated for 20,000+ hours, but proactive replacement at half-life eliminates the risk of failure in the field). Inspect the output pinion tooth flanks for pitting or wear using a bore-scope through the inspection port. Check the input bevel gear for heat discolouration.
hrs
Major Overhaul Assessment (Year 5)
Comprehensive inspection: all bearings checked for endplay, all gears inspected for tooth surface condition, housing inspected for micro-cracking at mounting bolt holes. If oil analysis trends have remained stable, the ZR45 is typically cleared for another 20,000-hour service interval with fresh bearings and seals. Many units reach 40,000+ hours (10 years) before requiring gear replacement.
Replacing an Existing Slewing Drive? Dimensional Compatibility Reference
The ZR45 is designed with standardised input and output interfaces that enable dimensional interchange with major European and Japanese slewing drive manufacturers. The table below provides starting-point compatibility guidance. Final interchange confirmation requires a dimensional comparison drawing, which our engineering team provides within 48 hours of receiving the existing drive model number.
| Interface | ZR45 Standard | Compatibility Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Input motor mount | BF01/02, IS02/IS10, IEC | Direct fit for Rexroth A2FM/A6VM, Eaton, Kawasaki axial piston motors |
| Output shaft options | MS, MF, SS, FS, integral pinion | Custom output pinion ground to match existing slewing ring module and pressure angle |
| Housing mounting | Flange-mount, foot-mount | Adapter plates available for non-standard bolt patterns from legacy installations |
| Brake integration | B12-B615 spring-applied | Hydraulic and electric release. Brake torque class matched to application holding requirement |
Voor worm-gear slewing drive replacements: the right-angle output geometry is conceptually identical, but the bevel-planetary ZR45 is typically 20-35% lighter and 30-40% shorter axially than an equivalent-torque worm unit. Foundation bolts and motor connections may require relocation.
System-Level Integration — Related Products
Veelgestelde vragen
Customer Feedback
We are running dual ZR45**4 drives on two STS cranes at our terminal. After 18 months and roughly 11,000 operating hours, both cranes are performing within original specification. The efficiency improvement over the previous drives reduced our hydraulic oil cooler duty by approximately 22%, which in a port where we run cranes 20 hours a day translates to meaningful energy savings. The documentation package passed our internal audit and DNV class survey without any follow-up queries.
Replaced the slewing drive on our 120-tonne excavator. The ZR45**3 fits the existing frame with a minor adapter plate modification. Performance is comparable to the OEM unit at about 40% of the price. My only reservation is that at 320 kg, getting this thing in and out of the machine is a two-crane job. I wish there were split-housing or segment-removal options for in-situ maintenance on machines where removing the full upper structure is not practical.
Ladle turret application at our steel plant. The ZR45**5 at 109.70 ratio gives us the slow, controlled rotation we need when positioning a 280-tonne ladle under the BOF tap. The previous drive was a worm type that ran extremely hot and needed oil changes every 6 weeks in the summer because of thermal breakdown. The ZR45 runs noticeably cooler and we have extended the oil change to a proper 4,000-hour interval. That alone pays for the drive within the first year.
Aanvullende informatie
| Editor | Cxm |
|---|
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