mixing different brands of GL5: ft axle

[big bubba]

Am going on my 3rd change of ft axle/ diff. oil on Kubota (7040) have residual of 2 different brands of GL5. okay to mix those for change, or stick w/one name brand? thanks in advance bb

[tsterkel]

Originally Posted by big bubba

Am going on my 3rd change of ft axle/ diff. oil on Kubota (7040) have residual of 2 different brands of GL5. okay to mix those for change, or stick w/one name brand? thanks in advance bb

The specification that control the GL series should fully cover "mixing." I would not worry, done hundreds of times daily.

For what it is worth, I did a lot of research on GL5 and GL4 as I am restoring a '63 Supercharged Studebaker Avanti. There is some controversy on if the "copper compatible" GL5 can be used in (manual) transmissions. GL4 is formulated for the "yellow" metals in transmissions and other similar applications. Some GL5 brands "claim" to be "compatible" with "yellow metals." ...and GL4 is tough to get. I finally decided to error on conservatism and got "explicit" GL4 and GL5 and will use each in the explicit application. I bought the GL4 mail order at roughly the same cost I would have expected to find it in the local auto/tractor store.

[Soundguy]

Originally Posted by big bubba

Am going on my 3rd change of ft axle/ diff. oil on Kubota (7040) have residual of 2 different brands of GL5. okay to mix those for change, or stick w/one name brand? thanks in advance bb

While I wouldn't mix right out of the bottle, 'topping off' and refill after a drain should be ok, as long as both are either dino, or synthetic.. IE.. same type..e tc.

soundguy

[big bubba]

thanks on this, hoping to hear that. everything petro is just getting too expensive to waste bb

[DieselPower]

Like Soundguy said, no problem using it for top off. The main reason for not mixing different lubricants (not just gear oil) is due to different additive packages. Every lube manufacturer has their own additive package which can even vary from the same lube with a different viscosity. When you mix them you end up with a unknown blend that may even have non compatible properties unlikely as it is.