Purpose is substantiating ways to enhance durability and bearing capacity of open gears of ore-pulverizing drum mills as well as efficiency of engineering solutions concerning the increase in their unit power at the expense of drive improvement. Methods. Results of continual experiments and theoretical studies have been generalized as for the abrasion of working surfaces of open gear teeth of drum mills and factors influencing load distribution in terms of a tooth rim width. Findings. Comparative analysis between domestic mills and the best world-class products has been carried out. Ways of solving problems to design large-capacity mills with a gearbox drive have been demonstrated. Influence of hardness of working teeth surfaces on their durability has been evaluated quantitatively. The factors, governing load distribution in terms of tooth rim width, have been analyzed. Use of self-adjusting gear drives for open gears has been evaluated. Originality. Functional relation between stress-strain properties of working surface of teeth; the number of running-in modes, determined by operational conditions; and durability of open gear has been identified. The factors, influencing load distribution in terms of tooth rim width, have been considered. Practical implications. It has been shown that use of such open gears, where hardness of working surface of gear teeth is (500-600) H1B1 and that of a tooth rim one is (260-300) H2B2, makes it possible to provide almost wear-free operation. Moreover, it is the required condition for the performance of a tooth rim with two drive gears.