Grease for excavator

[Ronster]

I've been using Valvoline multi purpose red grease (# VV615) in everything for years with no problems. Just wondering if a grease with moly would be better for the swing bearing teeth and ball bearing in my u27-4. i would like to here what some other people use in their machines.

 

[LD1]

You are gonna have as many opinions as there are brands of grease

 

[tree farmer]

I've been using Valvoline multi purpose red grease (# VV615) in everything for years with no problems. Just wondering if a grease with moly would be better for the swing bearing teeth and ball bearing in my u27-4. i would like to here what some other people use in their machines.

I use whatever #2 lithium is on sale at the time I need to restock. Currently, I think I am using the 2 cases I got a deal on from Walmart. I believe the frequency of use is more important than the brand. I tend to over lube all the zerks on the mini excavator to flush out all the dirt and junk in the pins and bushings.....Dan.

 

[Captain Dirty]

What does the owner's manual recommend? (My guess would be an Extreme Pressure (EP) moly grease.)

Be warned: Different greases may be incompatible, and compatibility information from the internet is often contradictory.

A couple of old saws: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" and "It matters less what grease you use than how often you use it".
If what you are doing for years hasn't created problems, why change? If you do change and there are compatibility problems, frequent, i.e. daily, greasing will help "flush" the old grease.

 

[Ronster]

I'm sticking with lithium complex EP 2 grease so compatibility should not be an issue, just want to add the 3% moly as I understand it my stay longer in the pins/bushing.

 

[Seven Gables]

I use Schaeffers 238 which has 5% moly on all pins and bushings also use it on the swing motor pinion and ring teeth. Swing bearing rollers I use either Mobil or Kendall blue. I'm a believer in moly for pins and bushings , it has an affinity for clinging to steel and a very thin film will protect. I've used moly grease on my excavators pins and bushings since new, now has 1250 hrs of mostly pulling tree stumps and few hundred ft of trenching the p&b's hardly show any wear. I do my best to grease at least once a day.

 

[Hersheyfarm]

I use the Schaeffer 238 also. I switched over back in 2016 after noticing what I thought to be too much slop in my m59. I used it solely on my m62 I traded for and when I got rid of it last year it was as tight as new. I now use it on my kx040 on all joints. It’s aluminum complex but compatible with lithium complex which is the most popular grease out there. That was verified through Schaeffer and me mixing some up to see if any separation or hardening happened. Don’t want to be stuck to one type of grease. It’s very expensive and the messiest grease I’ve ever used because of its stringyness. Little webs of grease every time you pull the gun away from the grease fittings.

 

[RickB]

I do my best to grease at least once a day.

A very good strategy. At that rate it matters very little what grease is used.

 

[Ronster]

The more I research the more confusing this gets. The Kuboat U27-4 recommends Shell Alvania EP2 (now called Shell Gadus S2 V220 2) or Mobilux EP2. Neither of these have Molybdenum in their specs. It seems odd that Kubota does not list their own branded grease. I have read where moly is not good for ball bearings, yet the excavator has a swing ball bearing. Just wanting one dedicated grease for the entire machine. Also I read where the Aluminum Complex grease ( Schaeffer & some others) might be better for pins.
Timken Loads, Dropping Points, it goes on and on...........

 

[RickB]

Just like any lubrication topic, it can be as simple or as complex as one wishes to make it. There are two basic truths.
1. Oil/grease are cheaper than parts.
2. Any grease is better than none.

 

[Ronster]

Seven Gables, why do you use a different grease for the swing bearing rollers?

 

[Seven Gables]

Seven Gables, why do you use a different grease for the swing bearing rollers?

I make it a practice to not to use moly grease in any roller bearings. Moly grease should not be used in high speed roller bearings so quite honestly in the relatively slow turning swing bearing I'm 99% sure it would be fine. The grease gun I use for the non moly blue grease has a 36" hose and lock and lube end. I lock the end on the SB zert which is located right below the front window, the longer hose allows me to set in the seat and grease the swing bearing as I rotate the house. Saves stoping the machine every 90 degrees and climbing in and out to grease.

 

[Ronster]

Excellent idea. Someone once said " If you have to get off your tractor, you're doing it wrong". I will build a similar greaser.

 

[Hersheyfarm]

The more I research the more confusing this gets. The Kuboat U27-4 recommends Shell Alvania EP2 (now called Shell Gadus S2 V220 2) or Mobilux EP2. Neither of these have Molybdenum in their specs. It seems odd that Kubota does not list their own branded grease. I have read where moly is not good for ball bearings, yet the excavator has a swing ball bearing. Just wanting one dedicated grease for the entire machine. Also I read where the Aluminum Complex grease ( Schaeffer & some others) might be better for pins.
Timken Loads, Dropping Points, it goes on and on...........

bearings generally refer to high speed bearings. Our low speed swing bearing isn’t the same as wheel bearings.

 

[Hersheyfarm]

Yes, any grease is better than no grease, but some greases are better than any grease. It’s something that takes 100’s of hours to figure out. I would recommend using a grease that has an easily to get compatible grease. One reason I stay away from polyurea. Lithium complex is probably the best all around grease. Aluminum complex is compatible and is arguably much better in the long run.

 

[RickB]

If it takes hundreds of hours to figure out it's probably because it takes that long to convince yourself. If it were clear cut and obvious it would be just that.

 

[Ronster]

Schaeffer's is only mail order for me in CT. I can buy Valvoline Palladium with 3% moly at a local NAPA store. Also available with 5% moly.

 

[dlctcg]

Schaeffer's is only mail order for me in CT. I can buy Valvoline Palladium with 3% moly at a local NAPA store. Also available with 5% moly.

Depending where you are in CT... If you want Schaeffer products you can pm me & we can discuss... We place an order with the local CT rep multiple times a year under our commercial account.

 

[Hersheyfarm]

If it takes hundreds of hours to figure out it's probably because it takes that long to convince yourself. If it were clear cut and obvious it would be just that.

It did take me hundreds of hours to figure it out. Digging equipment is a good easy gauge of wear over a length of time, its slop you can see and feel. Had a 2001 case I didnt grease as much as I should have. Lots of slop. Had a 2008 m59 that I used a free Mobil 1 grease not meant for equipment (neighbor basically had an endless supply) and had terrible slop.Then decided to pay more attention to grease type and decided on one, used it exclusively on a m62 from new and after 500 hr there was no measurable slop. Its taken me like 20 years to convince myself, before that I was naive and of the mind any grease is good grease as long as its used.

I decided to use Schaefer 238 and glad I did, but it is not the best and its almost impossible to go wrong with a modern grease as long as its the right type of grease.

 

[Hersheyfarm]

Schaeffer's is only mail order for me in CT. I can buy Valvoline Palladium with 3% moly at a local NAPA store. Also available with 5% moly.

It is not local for me either but there are good sources online to buy cases from. eBay is one. and actually it is local for me now, one of the Napa’s i frequent had a Schaffer oil/grease display when you walk in. I didnt price it but its good to have options.

this thread reminds me of an oil and grease guy at another place I frequent online. His posts are one reason I took grease a little more seriously. Foxtrot.