Which types of grease?

[pgmrdan]

At this point I plan to use good lithium NLGI 2 in one gun and good lithium moly EP in another. I'm going to rebuild my 50+ year old gun to keep some general purpose grease in it for non-Kubota odds and ends. 3 guns for 3 greases. Sounds like a plan.

I'm considering using the brand of grease my Ford tractor mechanic uses, recommends, and sells and my Kubota dealer uses, recommends, and sells. I already have 1 tube of it.

 

[mcmxi]

@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.

I'm in the @The Evil Twin camp for the tractors and implements. I ordered a couple more of the LockNLube grease gun couplers recently since they work really well for me. The last Kubota branded grease gun I bought needed some modification (to the handle) and the coupler on the end of the hose is a joke. I "borrowed" the LNL coupler from the DeWalt over the weekend.

I know that some here like using a DeWalt or similar for greasing their tractors, but I reserve that for my truck and Jeep where access is more challenging. I just find it to be easier to push a button rather than pump a handle when under a vehicle.

I've found this OTC kit to be helpful too.

Amazon.com

 

[Yotekiller]

The LocNLube couplers are a game changer!

 

[jyoutz]

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.

But you cannot use lithium for bearings; this means you need two grease guns. Polyurea keeps it simple with one grease for everything. For about $2 more per tube.

 

[The Evil Twin]

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.

Personally, for the tractor only, I use ONE grease only. The 3% moly grease (pick your brand) covers everything and is suitable for everything on a utility tractor. There are no roller/ ball / needle bearings that are condmsidered high speed. It is a lithium complex grease and (depending on brand) has a high enough drop point to cover your bases.
If you want to expand more, then a 2nd gun can cover high speed rollers (trailer axles) with a good lithium complex grease like Lucas Red n Tacky. Best of all, it can be used on your tractor should you run out of the Moly fortified grease. There is no fear of mixing the two because they are both lithium complex base greases.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Personally, for the tractor only, I use ONE grease only. The 3% moly grease (pick your brand) covers everything and is suitable for everything on a utility tractor. There are no roller/ ball / needle bearings that are condmsidered high speed. ....

What about the bearings on a mower?

 

[The Evil Twin]

What about the bearings on a mower?

Spindle bearings? Depends on the bearings. I would use a NLGI 2 grease if there any question to what bearings. Doubtful they are needle, but moly can cause needle bearings to slide not roll.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

The spindle bearings in a finish mower would be ball bearings, I believe.

Flail mower, brush hog, snow blower, tiller, chipper, etc. also have ball bearings on what I consider fast moving shafts.

So for those I should have a second grease gun?

Like many people here there's a fair amount of money tied up in implements and apparently I know less about grease than I may need to, and if I need a second grease gun so be it, that's 1/20 the cost of one implement, though I also don't want more tools and lubricants than practical.

In looking into this further several companies are saying lithium and moly grease are not compatible.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Looking into what members like @The Evil Twin and @mcmxi are saying it seems:

Lucas Red “N” Tacky Grease: Lithium Complex Grease. The primary use is roller bearings and high-speed bearings.

Lucas Heavy Duty Mining and Construction Grease: Lithium Complex Grease fortified with 5% molybdenum disulfide. Moly can be used on any sliding joint, but not roller bearings where it will potentially cause the rollers to flat spot from not spinning. While the specifications say U-joints, it may not be the best option due to the high speed of U-joints.

Lucas X-tra Heavy Duty Grease: Polyurea Thickener, incompatible with lithium grease. The primary use is roller bearings and high-speed bearings.

UPDATE: Updated the attached document for moly grease uses.
UPDATE: Additional thickener information.