AGMA: American Gear Manufacturers Association

Many variables—such as service factor, gear drive rating, thermal capacity, speed variation and drive
ratio—must be considered when sizing and selecting a gear drive

Service factor of gear: Sizing a gearbox (or gearmotor) for an industrial application typically begins with
determining the appropriate service factor. In simple terms, the service factor is the ratio of the gearbox
rated horsepower (or torque) to the application’s required horsepower (or torque). Service factors are
defined by the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA), based on the type of gearbox, the
expected service duty, and the type of application.

Service class of gear: In some cases, manufacturers cite gearbox “service classes” rather than service
factors. Service classes are designated as I, II, or III, and are generally translated to numerical service
factors of 1.0, 1.4, and 2.0, respectively, to be used in gearbox sizing calculations. It’s common that even
if a manufacturer publishes service classes for general application types, they also publish the more
specific service factors for specific applications as well.