Which types of grease?

[mcmxi]

Both owner's manuals for my tractors only list one grease since the loader is an option. I buy these two products from the local Kubota dealer. I have four grease guns with the DeWalt and Kubota branded grease guns for the tractors and implements, another for the boat, and another for the Jeep, F250 and trailers.

Would it be great to only need one grease for everything .... heck yeah!

 

[Elliott in GA]

Messicks on grease - Polyurea Grease works for everything. I use Lucas Heavy Duty for everything.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Always have a tub of bacon grease here and there's a 1/2 tube of Brylcream in the upstairs bathroom cabinet

 

[The Evil Twin]

Since the manuals call for a lithium based grease for most things but a molybdenum based EP grease for the front loader arms doesn't that mean I need at least 2 different types of grease?

Forgive me for asking so many questions but I'm trying to learn from you experts here.

Thanks.

EDIT: I misspoke. It says containing molybdenum disulfide not 'based'. It also should say Extreme Pressure like 'Moly EP'. Perhaps one grease will cover everything.

So a Lithium based grease containing Molybdenum disulfide and designated Extreme Pressure? Looks like one of the Lucas products covers that.

Thanks guys!

"Moly" greases are lithium complex (lithium soap" greases. The difference is that your general purpose/ bearing greases do not contain as much molybdenum as a "moly grease". A high molybdenum content is not recommended for ball/ roller bearings but it will generally work fine. I would not use it in needle bearings. Lithium complex is better in the rolling (bearing) application. Moly is by far the better choice for sliding surface applications.
Polyurea is a good bearing grease, but don't mix it with lithium soap greases. I would not recommend it for sliding surface (loader) lubrication.
Will one grease work for everything on your tractor? Yes. Will having two greases work better? IMHO, yes.

 

[jyoutz]

"Moly" greases are lithium complex (lithium soap" greases. The difference is that your general purpose/ bearing greases do not contain as much molybdenum as a "moly grease". A high molybdenum content is not recommended for ball/ roller bearings but it will generally work fine. I would not use it in needle bearings. Lithium complex is better in the rolling (bearing) application. Moly is by far the better choice for sliding surface applications.
Polyurea is a good bearing grease, but don't mix it with lithium soap greases. I would not recommend it for sliding surface (loader) lubrication.
Will one grease work for everything on your tractor? Yes. Will having two greases work better? IMHO, yes.

There’s no need to mix greases. When changing grease types, just continue to fill the zerk with the new grease until the old grease is completely expelled.

 

[The Evil Twin]

There’s no need to mix greases. When changing grease types, just continue to fill the zerk with the new grease until the old grease is completely expelled.

I disagree. You will not get all the old grease out. If you are switching between polyurea and lithium soap, the previously used grease should be completely cleaned out using a solvent based cleaner. The two types do not react well with each other.

 

[jyoutz]

I disagree. You will not get all the old grease out. If you are switching between polyurea and lithium soap, the previously used grease should be completely cleaned out using a solvent based cleaner. The two types do not react well with each other.

Well there’s lots of grease mixing and we don’t hear of failures due to this. I called the dealer and they use polyurea grease. So do they come shipped from the factory with lithium grease and the dealer is adding polyurea?

 

[Elliott in GA]

Mixing Polyurea grease with standard grease will cause the residual standard grease to dry out more rapidly than normal; and therefore, you should regrease with the Polyurea more often than normal after making the switch. It is not as though mixing the greases causes the formation of some caustic substance; it is not a big deal.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Well there’s lots of grease mixing and we don’t hear of failures due to this. I called the dealer and they use polyurea grease. So do they come shipped from the factory with lithium grease and the dealer is adding polyurea?

No failures on tractors. Sure. Pins, pivots and joints will ne OK. Probably everything else on a small tractor. That doesn't make it good practice to go against what the lubrication manufacturers recommend.
There have been, and continue to be, failures on truck, trailer and machinery bearings from mixing incompatible grease types.
A good read with a handy chart for reference.

Grease Compatibility: Something To Pay Attention To

Learn about the importance of grease compatibility when selecting lubricants. Discover key specifications for compatibility and consequences of mixing incompatible greases.

www.bellperformance.com

 

[jyoutz]

No failures on tractors. Sure. Pins, pivots and joints will ne OK. Probably everything else on a small tractor. That doesn't make it good practice to go against what the lubrication manufacturers recommend.
There have been, and continue to be, failures on truck, trailer and machinery bearings from mixing incompatible grease types.
A good read with a handy chart for reference.

Grease Compatibility: Something To Pay Attention To

Learn about the importance of grease compatibility when selecting lubricants. Discover key specifications for compatibility and consequences of mixing incompatible greases.

www.bellperformance.com

Sounds like many of us receive tractors from the dealer that are different from recommended. My dealer said they use polyurea on everything. And many others do likewise.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Sounds like many of us receive tractors from the dealer that are different from recommended. My dealer said they use polyurea on everything. And many others do likewise.

And that's fine. I'm sure Crisco would work also. So would bacon grease. But every single supplier of petroleum grease says that there are types you should not mix because it negatively impacts the lubrication qualities.
Edit: maybe you misread "lubrication manufacturer recommemds" as "lubrication THE manufacturer recommends.

 

[Elliott in GA]

The above is Ask Tractor Mike talking with an industrial grease equipment manufacturer, and he echoes the same thing as the Messicks video I posted - Polyurea is good for everything with compact tractors with no big switching over issues/procedures.

The guy is the President of AET Systems Inc. (they make Lube Shuttle, sell grease plus more) https://store.advancedenginetech.co...IS-8wzB6V9MxHRQZd9_Q__GgM4LJpI_UaAm5OEALw_wcB

They cover various topics about grease, and at the 5:45 mark they discuss Polyurea grease.

 

[jyoutz]

Always have a tub of bacon grease here and there's a 1/2 tube of Brylcream in the upstairs bathroom cabinet

I remember the Brylcream greased hair days when I was a kid. I’m glad that went out of style.

 

[mcmxi]

The guy is the President of AET Systems Inc. (they make Lube Shuttle, sell grease plus more)

"Grease is made to weep out oil" ... pretty cool concept.

That was a very good video and Wes clearly knows his stuff and does a great job of presenting the information. I'm going to continue to use the Kubota moly-lithium (dark grey) on the loaders and Kubota polyurea (green) on the tractors.

I wish I had a hot water pressure washer to clean off all the old grease around various pins, and even a good way to clean out grease from within the pin or part that's greased.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

And that's fine. I'm sure Crisco would work also. So would bacon grease. But every single supplier of petroleum grease says that there are types you should not mix because it negatively impacts the lubrication qualities.
Edit: maybe you misread "lubrication manufacturer recommemds" as "lubrication THE manufacturer recommends.

Mmmm…Baaaconnnn. I appreciate all the tech / specs, but out of all suggestions listed, I think I like the odiferous opportunities of the bacon grease the best.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: I wish I had a hot water pressure washer to clean off all the old grease around various pins

Actually spraying WD-40 on the area will loosen/soften old grease up. Spray, wait 2-3 minutes(listen to a song...)Just have lots of rags to wipe the 'yuck' off. Might take 2-3-4 applications depending on grease,dust,age.....

 

[mcmxi]

re: I wish I had a hot water pressure washer to clean off all the old grease around various pins

Actually spraying WD-40 on the area will loosen/soften old grease up. Spray, wait 2-3 minutes(listen to a song...)Just have lots of rags to wipe the 'yuck' off. Might take 2-3-4 applications depending on grease,dust,age.....

And who doesn't love the smell of WD40.

 

[jyoutz]

And who doesn't love the smell of WD40.

Park outside on gravel. Spray wd-40 on grease joints, then cover machine with soap from a pressure washer foam cannon. Let sit, then rinse. A sparking clean machine, especially if the foam soap is the car wash and polish concentrate type.

 

[pgmrdan]

Polyurea and synthetic based greases are well beyond the scope of my needs.

Following the manual always, within reason, works so lithium based is the way I'll go.

So back on topic, do the 3 types of greases I originally posted cover all of the greases listed in the manuals? Did I miss anything?

BTW, I've learned a TON from this thread! Thanks guys.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

At work we use Certified Lab's Premalube NLGI #2. It has been a great grease in our fleet for the backhoes and excavators in a water utility. ....

Certified Labs Premalube #2 - *New Arrivals*

PREMALUBE™
MULTI-PURPOSE, HEAVY LOAD, EXTREME PRESSURE, HIGH TEMPERATURE GREASE IN AN ALUMINUM COMPLEX BASE WITH MOLY AND GRAPHITE
NLGI #1, #2 & #3

That's food grade grease! I don't want to put it on my sandwich!

Since the manuals call for a lithium based grease for most things but a molybdenum based EP grease for the front loader arms doesn't that mean I need at least 2 different types of grease? ....So a Lithium based grease containing Molybdenum disulfide and designated Extreme Pressure? Looks like one of the Lucas products covers that....

The loader arms are under more stress (which is why I use mining grease), however it's "more stress" on a BX or B...so not much stress in the big picture. Still, Kubota is being Kubota and trying to make everything last near forever, so yeah, it makes sense.

I'd say if a person uses the correct grease (NGLI #2) that meets or exceeds specifications they should be fine using one grease if greasing at least as often as the service specification states (and I grease at least that much). The cost in grease might be a bit more than using two greases, but the hassle factor likely makes it worth doing so.

@The Evil Twin got into the reality of it though, two guns with two greases is "best" if trying to minimize cost on high-usage equipment.

Am I a grease expert? No, but I do like bacon.