Changing Grease type

[tractchores]

I've got a newby question about grease. I'm not sure of the brand that's currently on my machine, but need to buy some new grease and grease her up. I know some types are incompatible, but don't know how to tell what I've got. Is there a way to change grease types without causing issues? Any recommendations on what the procedure is, or if there's a way to reliably tell what I have so I can buy a compatible grease type?

 

[Soundguy]

if you don't know what's in there and are switching types, just grease till you push the old grease out and see your grease.

soundguy

 

[whistlepig]

If in doubt I would stick to the manufacturer's recommendation for whatever is being greased. You are sure of compatibility and that's the safest way. I don't do that. I went to the dealer and asked for one type of grease that I could use on everything because I didn't want to deal with multiple greases and multiple grease guns. He recommended New Holland Ambra. I have been using Ambra on everything for five years now with no problems.

 

[KYDan]

Here is a link that explains the types, uses, and compatibilities. Step-by-Step Grease Selection

 

[LD1]

if you don't know what's in there and are switching types, just grease till you push the old grease out and see your grease.

soundguy

Good advise:thumbsup:

Not sure what you are greasing, but I like two greases and two guns(so I dont have to keep changing).

I like a good moly VG II grease for pins and bushing. This is the black grease. Like XHP322, or what I currently use is Fuchs Renolit moreplex, which scores pretty well on wear tests.

I like a lighter VG 1 or 1.5 SYNTHETIC for bearings. I use Mobil SHC 460 for this.

If just one grease, an "all-purpose" or "multi-purpose" Extreme pressure grease will work. Like XHP222, or even the sta-lube that Harbor freight sells in the red tube is pretty good:thumbsup:

 

[Soundguy]

how much is that stay lube?

when in mowing season and greasing my 15' and 10' mowers, I go thru tubes of grease like howitzer shells on the first few minutes of D-Day

 

[tractchores]

Thanks for the good advice everyone. I'll be greasing a FEL, BH and the tractor itself as well as implements. All purpose would be preferable, but if there's a compelling reason to use specialized grease i would do that too. Right now it appears that it's got the same grease type on everything.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have always just used a multi-purpose moly grease for everything except my boat. On that I used a white lithium based marine formula grease that seems to be more waterproof than multi-purpose and not as staining as the black stuff. That is not a scientific reason and not based on any laboratory testing or studies, but it has worked for me and my father before me.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I just remembered, on cotton picker spindle lube, it required a special spindle lube that was thinner than normal grease and was used because it wouldnt stain the cotton like normal grease and all the excess would sling out quickly. The process was to grease each bar on the picker header then run it wide open throttle for at least 5 minutes, then wipe down the grease from the sheet metal with something, usually some cotton fiber that was hanging around on the picker. We also used it to lube all the chains in the headers. Everything else we just used multi-purpose.

 

[Brushhill dave]

I've got a newby question about grease. I'm not sure of the brand that's currently on my machine, but need to buy some new grease and grease her up. I know some types are incompatible, but don't know how to tell what I've got. Is there a way to change grease types without causing issues? Any recommendations on what the procedure is, or if there's a way to reliably tell what I have so I can buy a compatible grease type?

I personally like the red ram brand for just about everything that moves, when I worked on heavy equipment in a mine it was all we used on every part that had a zerk!