grease question

[aking]

Hello everyone, first time posting on here. I've been looking into switching over to Schaeffer's grease but I'm not sure which one I should use. I have been using Case IH grease. I mostly use it for greasing tractors, water pumps, and just other things around the farm.

Thanks in advance!

 

[daman1]

What application you plan on using this grease in? wheel bearings,pins/bushings etc??? what grease you looking at?

i use nothing but Schaeffer's #238 in our equipment at work and my personal stuff, outstanding product that protects well and reduces wear dramatically.

**edit**

i see now you listed applications,anyway if you operate in none cold temps? mostly I'd use 238 on everything but wheel bearings/bearings as it's loaded with tackifiers and may lead to bearing skip(but i have used it with out issues) but anything that "slides" like pins/bushings,5th wheels,implement lift areas etc,this grease will shine there.

if you also operatet in winter or cold temps you may want to switch to
#274 NLGI #1 or 0

 

[aking]

I was looking at either # 238, 221, or 229. I will be using it for some bearings on equipment but not wheelbearings. Mostly just a multi-purpose grease for everything.

 

[daman1]

All should work fine for what your doing 221 is just 238 with out the extra tackifiers.

229 has less Moly, i believe 238 and 221 have 5% witch is important for me as that's your anti-wear additive in this grease, all have an aluminum complex thickener witch resists water wash out and pound out vs. a lithium base, just an excellent excellent grease you wont be disappointed.

IMO go with 238 or 221.

 

[John Morgan]

The 221 meets Catapiller MPGM which is a 3% Moly spec. It is an exceptional grease and will pump very well in cold weather.

 

[daman1]

I believe Caterpillars spec's is 5% for EP aplications also,any rate this grease will do the job.

correct 221 is 3% 238 is 5%

 

[John Morgan]

Yes... You are correct. Cat's spec for pin's and bushing's is 5% Moly. Otherwise, 3% Moly. The thing that sets Schaeffer apart is the Aluminum Complex thickener and will outlast any Lithium Complex thickener for better, longer lasting performance.

 

[daman1]

The thing that sets Schaeffer apart is the Aluminum Complex thickener and will outlast any Lithium Complex thickener for better, longer lasting performance.

You got that right lithium will actually mix with water and cloud up in your hand anyone serious about greasing there equipment should use a better thickener for sure.

 

[aking]

Thanks for the input everyone. :thumbsup: From my understanding the aluminum complex will mix with the lithium based greases that I've been using before?

 

[daman1]

Aluminum complex is compatible with lithium complex yes..

but to get the full benefits of the AC grease make sure you push all the lithium out.

 

[John Morgan]

Yes. The Aluminum Complex is compatible, there will be no problems with changing. What you will find, because the Schaeffer grease is water proof it will stay in place longer so it will take less grease to provide better protection.

 

[aking]

Thanks for the info guys. I think I'm going to pick up some #221 soon and give it a try.

 

[John Morgan]

You will be happy with the 221. If you want to talk wholesale pricing and free shipping, PM me, I'll tell you how.

 

[daman1]

Thanks for the info guys. I think I'm going to pick up some #221 soon and give it a try.

Let us know your results...

 

[sw03]

i use nothing but Schaeffer's #238 in our equipment at work and my personal stuff, outstanding product that protects well and reduces wear dramatically.

And how do you know it protect well, compared to what, and same on the wear?

 

[John Morgan]

I happy you asked. I had a sales rep from Texas Refinery call on me yesterday with boasts of the best grease ever made. When you do side by side comparisons of Schaeffer lubricants with anything, Schaeffer will have an advantage because: first, against Lithium complex or calcium complexes take more thickener and less lubricant than aluminum complex so right off in the manufacturing process Schaeffer grease has more lubricating oils and additives simply because it takes less thickening agent. Aluminum Complex is truly water proof and is capable of working under water if it has to, other greases will emulsify and wash out quicker requiring more frequent grease cycles therefore using more grease and increasing grease cost.

Second, comparing Schaeffer's grease to other aluminum complex greases like Certified Labs or Hydroteks or others(there are several quality greases that can perform very well) the lubricating oils Schaeffer use are much more refined with higher performing capabilities through AGMA testing standards. If you set that aside many greases with Moly will use an industrial grade of Moly at 7 microns. Schaeffer's greases use a technical grade of Moly at .7 microns which will form a much stronger bond and according to a study commissioned by Cat can reduce the coefficient of friction as much as 75%

Bottom line is when side by side comparing grease to others who can compete in the same performance catagory, Schaeffer's is going to be somewhere around half the cost because of the history behind the company. If a grease tries to compete with Schaeffer on price, they aren't anywhere close to being able to outperform its ability to last longer, reduce friction and increasing the life of the components.

 

[ultrarunner]

Never heard of Schaeffer... went to their site and searched... nothing in my San Francisco geographic area with a population of many millions of people.

 

[John Morgan]

It's fairly small at $100million a year revenues for the petroleum industry. Primarily B2B company. Put your contact info on the web site and they will have someone call you.

 

[sw03]

I happy you asked. I had a sales rep from Texas Refinery call on me yesterday with boasts of the best grease ever made. When you do side by side comparisons of Schaeffer lubricants with anything, Schaeffer will have an advantage because: first, against Lithium complex or calcium complexes take more thickener and less lubricant than aluminum complex so right off in the manufacturing process Schaeffer grease has more lubricating oils and additives simply because it takes less thickening agent. Aluminum Complex is truly water proof and is capable of working under water if it has to, other greases will emulsify and wash out quicker requiring more frequent grease cycles therefore using more grease and increasing grease cost.

Second, comparing Schaeffer's grease to other aluminum complex greases like Certified Labs or Hydroteks or others(there are several quality greases that can perform very well) the lubricating oils Schaeffer use are much more refined with higher performing capabilities through AGMA testing standards. If you set that aside many greases with Moly will use an industrial grade of Moly at 7 microns. Schaeffer's greases use a technical grade of Moly at .7 microns which will form a much stronger bond and according to a study commissioned by Cat can reduce the coefficient of friction as much as 75%

Bottom line is when side by side comparing grease to others who can compete in the same performance catagory, Schaeffer's is going to be somewhere around half the cost because of the history behind the company. If a grease tries to compete with Schaeffer on price, they aren't anywhere close to being able to outperform its ability to last longer, reduce friction and increasing the life of the components.

Great info but this is like Engine oil debate. I know plenty of people for years on various equipment from a BX to land movers and they work fine without Schaeffer's grease etc.

Any test results or raw data?

 

[John Morgan]

Test results are listed on the Schaeffer sight under Technical Data. It's the same standard testing approved by AGMA like the 4ball wear test, etc... Hundreds of customer testimonials.

The true test is what will it do in your equipment, compared to what your using now, in your environment. I don't have any of that information. So I have to go back to, any lube that can keep up with it in performance is going to be more expensive, any lube that beats its price can't perform. It will outlast any Lithium Complex based grease at least 2:1 probably more depending on your specific application