GL4 and GL5 gear lube and bronze gears and bushings

[jas67]

I decided to start a new thread here, as this issue affects more than just more old Troy Bilt Horse tiller.

I have seen on this site, and several others that GL4 and GL5 gear lube should not be used in gearboxes with bronze gears or bushings. Some others say it is just the Synthetic stuff that is bad, others say it is just the multi-weight stuff.

What lube is 100% safe for bronze parts? For this specific application, they call for 140-weight for normal operation, and 90-weight for sub-freezing weather -- since I don't use the tiller in cold weather, I'll want 140W -- but which one?

Thank you,
Jay

 

[thatguy]

Not a direct answer, but it may be of some help..

NONE of the Amsoil gear oils mention specifically being safe for bronze gears.. BUT they do have a manual transmission fluid that says its safe for bronze gears. it does not give a weight range OR says it meets GL specs though..

AMSOIL - Synthetic Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid (MTF)

Good luck

Brian

 

[Diamondpilot]

Almost all GL5 gear oils are now safe for yellow metals like copper and bronze. We use 100's of gallons of Citgo GL5 80W90 in the gear boxes and lower units on boats and its also what I run in my tractors tranny, front axle, rear axle, Bush Hog gear box, Finish Mower gear box, and PHD gear box with no issues in some 12 plus years.

Chris

 

[UncleBuck01]

here is a link to a thread I started on the Mahindra Forum

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/mahindra-owning-operating/143581-4110-fluids.html

I also called the 800 number on the bottle of ROTELLA Gear Oil GL 5 and the tech said if my tractor calls for GL 4 he does not recommend using GL 5,
I since have found COASTAL gear oil has GL 5, GL 4, and GL 3 ratings at Advance Auto Parts and NAPA High performance gear oil also has the same "3" GL ratings.

 

[2manyrocks]

I went to our local Mobil oil distributor. He specifically stocks gear oil that is compatible with bronze bushings, etc. Common problem.

 

[Soundguy]

you can get gl4/gl5 gear oil in 80w90, 75w90 and 85/140 in yellow metal safe blends.

castrol has it.. penzoil has it.. and walmart supertech.. some stores carry the version that is safe

just got to read the labels.

penzoil's product is called 'gearplus'

soundguy

I decided to start a new thread here, as this issue affects more than just more old Troy Bilt Horse tiller.

I have seen on this site, and several others that GL4 and GL5 gear lube should not be used in gearboxes with bronze gears or bushings. Some others say it is just the Synthetic stuff that is bad, others say it is just the multi-weight stuff.

What lube is 100% safe for bronze parts? For this specific application, they call for 140-weight for normal operation, and 90-weight for sub-freezing weather -- since I don't use the tiller in cold weather, I'll want 140W -- but which one?

Thank you,
Jay

 

[RickB]

New Holland's 80W-90 and 85W-140 are yellow metal safe.

 

[Soundguy]

hew now that's good to know.. wallymart around here is not real quick to restock their 85/140 and 80w90.. can sometimes be out for a month before they get any,.

will have to check to see if my local dealer stocks it.

soundguy

 

[kubota bob]

jas67

I also have a Troy Bilt Horse tiller. StaLube has 140 GL-4. NAPA sells it by the gallon. The part number is SL24238.

Bob

 

[jas67]

Thank you to everyone for all the great info. There is a NAPA near where I work, so, I'll probably stop in there some day this week.