Lost　motion　is　utilized　to　characterize　the　transmission　accuracy　of　gear　reducers　and　is　commonly　evaluated　through　the　hysteresis　curve　method.　In　examinations　of　lost　motion　for　large　and　medium-sized　reducers,　the　default　practice　is　the　application　of　the　equal　torque　gradient　loading　method.　Nonetheless,　for　small-sized　reducers,　this　approach　is　deemed　inappropriate　due　to　the　constraints　of　the　servo　motor　loading　resolution.　This　study　reveals　that　employing　a　larger　unit　torque　for　equal　torque　gradient　loading　can　modify　the　shape　of　the　hysteresis　curve　and　influence　the　assessment　of　lost　motion.　As　a　result,　this　paper　introduces　two　innovative　loading　techniques,　namely　equal　position　gradient　loading　and　uniform　speed　loading,　to　address　the　limitations　of　equal　torque　gradient　loading　and　reduce　the　demands　on　testing　equipment.　Subsequent　experiments　validate　the　issues　associated　with　equal　torque　gradient　loading,　confirm　the　effectiveness　of　the　two　new　loading　techniques,　and　yield　more　comprehensive　hysteresis　curves.　It　is　important　to　note　that　all　three　loading　methods　are　influenced　by　the　loading　rate,　but　the　two　novel　methods　can　mitigate　the　effects　of　loading　rate　dependency.