EP 15/13/15/3HP 450rpm Aluminum Gearbox
The EP-HC-RV010 is a multi-ratio aluminum gearbox built for applications where keeping housing weight low is as important as the drive ratio itself. Operating at a rated input of 450 rpm and available in four gear ratio configurations — 1:1, 1:1.35, 1:1.9, and 3.3:1 — this unit covers a broad range of output speed and torque requirements from a single compact platform. The corresponding power ratings across these ratios are 15 HP, 13 HP, 15 HP, and 3 HP respectively, making the selection straightforward: match the ratio and power band to the implement’s load cycle, and the gearbox handles the mechanical conversion cleanly without the bulk or thermal inertia of a cast iron equivalent.
The aluminium gearbox housing is finished to tight dimensional tolerances and houses a precision bevel gear set with matched module selections across the ratio variants. The 1 3/8 Z6 spline input and optic axis output are consistent with standard PTO drive interfaces, making this unit a natural fit for light implement drives, land management attachments, and any application where the conventional cast iron alternative would add unacceptable weight penalty to the machine’s overall balance. The 4 kg net weight makes the HC-RV010 one of the most weight-efficient power transmission components in its class at this power rating.
Aluminum Gearbox Series
EP 15/13/15/3HP 450rpm
Aluminum Gearbox
A compact, multi-ratio aluminum gearbox engineered for light-duty agricultural and industrial power transmission — delivering versatile ratio selection, low operating weight, and durable bevel gear performance in a sealed, corrosion-resistant cast aluminium housing.
Technical Specifications
The table below covers the full parameter set for this aluminum gearbox across all available ratio configurations. Dimensional values are in millimetres unless stated otherwise. When selecting a ratio variant, cross-reference the power rating column — the 3.3:1 option is rated at 3 HP, which reflects the higher torque multiplication and its practical limit within the housing size; the three higher-speed ratios all support 13–15 HP input.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Item / Model | EP-HC-RV010 |
| Available Ratios | 1:1 / 1:1.35 / 1:1.9 / 3.3:1 |
| Teeth (per ratio) | 16/16 (1:1) / 17/23 (1:1.35) / 10/19 (1:1.9) / 10/33 (3.3:1) |
| Module (per ratio) | 4.5 / 3.5 / 4.5 / 2.5 |
| Power (HP) by Ratio | 15 / 13 / 15 / 3 |
| Rated Input Speed | 450 rpm |
| Input / Output Description | 1 3/8 Z6 / Optic axis |
| Net Weight | 4 kg |
| Housing Material | Cast aluminium alloy |
| Gear Type | Spiral bevel (right angle drive) |
| Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) | 256 mm x 90 mm x 75 mm |
| Shaft Diameter (Input / Output) | Ø 25 mm |
| Lubrication | Splash / EP 90 gear oil |
| Sealing | Double-lip oil seals, all shaft exits |
Ratio Variant Summary
| Ratio | Teeth | Module | Power (HP) | Output Speed (rpm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | 16 / 16 | 4.5 | 15 | 450 |
| 1:1.35 | 17 / 23 | 3.5 | 13 | 333 |
| 1:1.9 | 10 / 19 | 4.5 | 15 | 237 |
| 3.3:1 | 10 / 33 | 2.5 | 3 | 136 |
Working Principle of Aluminum Gearbox
Input torque enters the gearbox via the 1 3/8" 6-spline (Z6) input shaft — the standard interface for 450 rpm PTO-driven systems and many direct-coupled motor drives used in light industrial and agricultural automation contexts. The input shaft carries the drive-side bevel gear, which meshes at 90 degrees with the driven bevel gear on the output shaft, redirecting rotational force through a right angle. Depending on the ratio variant specified for the aluminum gearbox, the tooth counts and module values change — producing a direct-drive (1:1), moderate step-up or step-down (1:1.35, 1:1.9), or a more aggressive reduction (3.3:1) — while the housing dimensions and mounting interface remain constant across all four configurations.
The cast aluminium housing keeps the overall gear set in precise alignment through the operating duty cycle. Aluminium's thermal conductivity — roughly four times that of cast iron — means the gear cavity dissipates heat generated at the mesh contact zone more quickly, which extends oil film life between service intervals for the aluminum gearbox. This matters particularly in continuous-duty applications where the 1:1 or 1:1.9 variants are running at or near their 15 HP rated ceiling. Splash lubrication circulates EP 90 gear oil to all tooth flanks and bearing races on every revolution, with double-lip oil seals at each shaft exit preventing both lubricant loss and ingress of field dust or moisture. The Ø 25 mm shaft diameter is consistent across both input and output ends, simplifying coupling selection in implement designs that use this unit as a mid-line drive component.
Five Key Product Advantages
01 — Four Ratio Options, One Platform
Specifying a single aluminum gearbox platform across four ratio variants (1:1, 1:1.35, 1:1.9, and 3.3:1) simplifies inventory for OEM equipment builders and reduces the qualification burden for operators maintaining multiple implements. Mounting interfaces and shaft dimensions stay constant — only the internal gear set changes — so one spare housing covers multiple ratio variants in a field service situation.
02 — 4 kg Net Weight
At 4 kg, this aluminum gearbox housing is significantly lighter than cast iron equivalents at comparable power ratings. In weight-sensitive applications — boom-mounted drives, trailing-arm implements, or equipment with critical front-to-rear balance requirements — shaving kilograms from the driveline component has a direct positive effect on tyre wear, linkage load, and overall machine handling across uneven ground.
03 — Superior Thermal Dissipation
Aluminium's high thermal conductivity allows gear mesh heat to transfer through the housing walls and dissipate into ambient air far more efficiently than iron housings. In continuous-duty cycles — particularly the 1:1 and 1:1.9 variants running at 15 HP — this translates to lower steady-state oil temperatures, better lubricant film integrity, and meaningfully longer intervals between required oil changes in warm-climate operating environments across Australia, Brazil, and Southeast Asia.
04 — Corrosion Resistance Without Coatings
Cast aluminium alloy forms a stable surface oxide layer that provides baseline corrosion resistance in humid field environments without relying solely on a paint or enamel topcoat. For operators in high-rainfall regions — the Netherlands, UK, coastal Australia, or tropical Southeast Asia — this means the housing surface retains its integrity even where impact chips from field debris break through the finish, a practical durability advantage in outdoor agricultural use.
05 — Standard PTO Interface Compatibility
The 1 3/8" Z6 input spline and Ø 25 mm optic-axis output shaft are dimensioned to standard PTO and coupling specifications used across European, North American, and South Korean agricultural equipment. This makes the HC-RV010 a viable aluminum gearbox replacement for worn units on existing implements without requiring custom adaption work, reducing both replacement lead time and installation cost for field operators across commercial farming operations.
Looking for an aluminum gearbox or a broader selection? Our full agricultural gearbox portfolio covers right angle, worm, planetary, and custom-ratio designs across all power classes.
Materials and Construction
Aluminium Housing
Pressure die-cast aluminium alloy, finish-machined on all bearing bores and mating faces. The alloy is selected for a balance of castability, tensile strength, and machinability — allowing thin-section walls that save weight without compromising the rigidity needed to hold aluminum gearbox mesh geometry under load across the full HP rating of each ratio variant.
Bevel Gear Set
Alloy steel, carburised and case-hardened, with tooth profiles ground to close tolerances after heat treatment. The case-hardened surface provides the wear resistance needed for sustained mesh cycles; the tough unhardened core beneath prevents brittle fracture under sudden overload — relevant when the aluminum gearbox is used in implement drives that encounter intermittent shock loading from ground-engaging tools.
Shafts
Both input and output shafts are precision-turned alloy steel, finished to Ø 25 mm with tight diameter tolerances for consistent coupling and bearing fit. The 1 3/8" Z6 spline on the input end is machined to the ISO/DIN standard profile used globally on 450 rpm PTO and direct-coupled drive applications, ensuring reliable engagement for the aluminum gearbox without play or fretting at the spline contact zone.
Bearings
Tapered or deep groove roller bearings sized for the combined radial and thrust loads generated at each ratio variant's rated HP. Pre-loaded to eliminate shaft end-play, which is particularly important in aluminum gearbox applications where axial play directly affects tooth contact pattern and noise level during operation.
Seals and Surface Finish
NBR double-lip oil seals at all shaft exits provide reliable exclusion of dust, moisture, and crop debris from the gear cavity. The housing exterior receives an agricultural equipment enamel coating over the aluminium surface, providing UV resistance and protection against fuel, fertiliser, and hydraulic fluid splash common in field environments across all operating regions.
Application Scenarios
The aluminum right angle gearbox configuration of this aluminum gearbox makes it a versatile choice across a range of light-duty agricultural and industrial drive applications. The following scenarios reflect the primary use cases where operators and equipment builders worldwide deploy this unit effectively.
Light-Duty Rotary Implement Drives
Small rotary cultivators, grass choppers, and inter-row tillage attachments used in market gardens, orchards, and smallholder operations across the Netherlands, South Korea, and Colombia benefit from this unit's weight efficiency. At 4 kg, it adds minimal inertia to the implement's rotating mass while delivering the 90-degree power redirection required from the aluminum gearbox on compact tractor attachments.
Agricultural Fan and Spreader Drives
The 1:1 and 1:1.35 ratio variants are well suited to crop spreader and fan drive applications where the output speed needs to be close to or slightly below the PTO input speed. Fertiliser spreaders and air-seeder fan units used in Canadian prairie and Australian dryland farming operations frequently use this type of compact aluminum right angle gearbox to redirect drive from horizontal to vertical or lateral fan shaft orientations.
Pump and Auger Drive Units
Water pump drives on irrigation trailer units and grain auger drives on small-scale handling equipment commonly specify a compact aluminum gearbox at this power range. The 1:1.9 variant in particular provides a useful speed reduction for matching a 450 rpm PTO to slower-turning pump or auger requirements, without the size or cost penalty of a larger reduction unit.
Light Industrial Automation Drives
In light industrial settings — packaging lines, conveyor corner drives, and positioning mechanisms — the aluminum right angle gearbox configuration provides a space-efficient 90-degree power redirection solution where cast iron housings would be impractical due to mounting clearance or weight constraints. The 3.3:1 ratio variant serves applications requiring lower output speeds from a higher-speed input motor, functioning effectively as a compact single-stage reduction aluminum gearbox in process equipment.
OEM Integration in Multi-Drive Assemblies
Equipment manufacturers building multi-axis drive systems — such as seeding machines with simultaneous horizontal fan and vertical metering drives — use the HC-RV010 aluminum gearbox as a standardised mid-line drive component. Its fixed mounting interface and constant shaft centres across all ratio variants allow engineers to design one mounting structure that accepts any of the four ratio configurations without frame modification, simplifying model line management.
Regulatory Compliance and Regional Standards
Power transmission components including the aluminum gearbox used in agricultural and light industrial machinery are subject to a range of regional safety, quality, and machinery regulations. Understanding applicable frameworks assists operators and importers in ensuring that equipment selection and installation meets legal requirements in their target markets.
EU — Machinery Regulation 2023/1230/EU
Agricultural and industrial aluminum gearbox units placed on the EU market as part of a machine assembly must conform to the Machinery Regulation (which replaces Directive 2006/42/EC from January 2027). Gearboxes supplied as partly completed machinery require an incorporation declaration. EN ISO 4254-1 and applicable harmonised standards cover safety requirements for agricultural machinery assemblies using power transmission components.
United Kingdom — PUWER 1998
Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER 1998), any aluminum gearbox forming part of work equipment used in a commercial setting must be suitable for purpose, properly maintained, and inspected at appropriate intervals. UK supply of gearboxes as components requires UKCA conformity assessment support documentation where the component is integral to a machine placed on the UK market.
United States — OSHA 29 CFR 1910.219 and ASABE Standards
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.219 sets guarding requirements for mechanical power transmission components used in general industry, including gearboxes in process and packaging applications. For agricultural use, ASABE standards define interface and safety requirements for PTO-driven components. Aluminum gearbox replacement parts used in commercial agricultural equipment should meet these interface standards to maintain compliance.
Australia — AS 4024 and Safe Work Australia
The AS 4024 series (Safety of Machinery) provides the national framework for machine guarding and power transmission safety in Australia. Safe Work Australia's Model WHS Regulations apply to commercial operations using mechanical power transmission equipment. Aluminum gearbox components should be sourced from ISO 9001:2015 certified suppliers to meet the quality documentation requirements commonly requested under Australian procurement standards.
South Korea — KS B Standards and MAF
Korean Standards (KS B series) govern power transmission component interfaces and safety requirements applicable to agricultural equipment sold in South Korea. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAF) certification applies to agricultural machinery imported for commercial distribution. ISO 9001:2015 certification of the aluminum gearbox manufacturer supports KS-aligned procurement and import documentation requirements for Korean market operators.
Brazil — ABNT Standards and INMETRO
In Brazil, ABNT NBR standards govern mechanical equipment safety for industrial and agricultural applications. INMETRO certification requirements apply to certain categories of machinery imported for commercial use. Compliance documentation including ISO 9001 certificates and dimensional conformity records for shaft interfaces supports MAPA and customs clearance processes for agricultural equipment imported in the Brazilian market.
Related Products and System Compatibility
The HC-RV010 aluminum gearbox is designed to integrate with standard agricultural driveline components. Sourcing compatible parts from the same manufacturing network ensures dimensional consistency, simplifies installation, and provides a single point of contact for technical and supply queries across the full drivetrain assembly.
Aci PTO
The 1 3/8" Z6 input spline on this unit is designed to mate directly with standard 540 rpm or 450 rpm rated PTO shafts with 6-spline yokes. Our PTO shafts are available in matched power ratings with safety shielding, overrun protection, and cross-and-journal universal joints suited to the torque envelope of the aluminum gearbox across its 15 HP rated variants. Selecting a matched PTO shaft from the same supply source eliminates interface uncertainty and ensures guarding compliance in markets where protective shielding is mandated by regulation — including the EU, UK, and Australia.
Full Agricultural Gearbox Range
Beyond this aluminum right angle gearbox model, our range covers cast iron rotary cultivator gearboxes, worm gear reducers, planetary gear drives, and heavy-duty agricultural gearboxes for implements from compact horticultural machines through to large-format arable tillage equipment. For applications where the 15 HP ceiling of the aluminum gearbox is insufficient — or where cast iron housing durability is specified — our broader agricultural gearbox catalogue provides directly compatible alternatives sharing the same PTO interface standards and quality manufacturing processes.
About Our Manufacturing Facility
With more than ten years of focused experience in mechanical power transmission engineering, our production facility supplies a comprehensive range of drivetrain components spanning both agricultural and industrial sectors. Our product scope includes agricultural aluminum gearbox units, worm gear reducers, planetary gear drives, PTO shafts, hydraulic cylinders, precision-machined gears, roller chains, sprockets, pulleys, worms, and drive motors — produced in both standard catalogue and fully engineered custom configurations for OEM integrators and direct aftermarket customers worldwide.
All production is managed under an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system, with traceability and process controls applied from material receipt through to final inspection and dispatch. Housing and gear materials across the product range include ductile iron, grey cast iron, cast steel, precision investment cast steel, and cast aluminium — with alloy selection determined by the load, operating environment, and weight requirements of each specific application. In-house machining capabilities include CNC turning, milling, gear hobbing, profile grinding, boring, and surface treatment — giving us the production depth to hold the tolerances that reliable aluminum gearbox performance depends on. We supply customers across Australia, the UK, the Netherlands, Canada, South Korea, Brazil, and Colombia, with documentation support available for regional regulatory and procurement compliance requirements.
Workshop
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an aluminum gearbox and why would a market garden operator in the Netherlands choose it over a cast iron version for a compact implement drive?
How do I clean an aluminum gearbox after a season of field use on a spreader drive in Canadian prairie conditions?
Which aluminum gearbox ratio is best for driving a small water pump from a 450rpm PTO on an Australian irrigation trailer used in horticulture?
Where can a South Korean agricultural equipment importer source a certified aluminum gearbox replacement that meets KS standards for light implement drives?
What power transmission components should a Colombian flower farm machinery manager check first when an aluminum right angle gearbox on a fan drive shows overheating symptoms?
When should a UK machinery dealer recommend an aluminum gearbox replacement versus a full-cast-iron unit for a customer upgrading a light horticultural tiller in a weight-sensitive application?
Editor: PXY
