Let's talk Grease :)

[TractorLarry]

What kind of grease do you guys use on your machines?

According to my manual, it calls for typical Lithium grease at all points (except for the driveshaft, which uses CV Grease).

I'm just using standard General Purpose Lithium Grease tubes I got at Autozone. It's a yellowish/brownish color.

The front wheel bearings call for the same grease in the manual, so I'm using it there as well.

This is where I'm a bit confused. I'm used to using Wheel Bearing Grease in places that have Bearings (aka the deck and front wheels).

Maybe it's my memories from being a car mechanic back in the 70's, and I don't need to worry about it.

Is this typical Lithium based grease also ok for these bearings?

The old grease that's being pushed out is a more blackish color, which is what I'm more used to.

-Larry

 

[micman32]

Larry, The manual for my 2518 calls for 251H EP grease or No.2 Multi -purpose Lithium grease. Either is used on all points. No other type of grease is specified.
I think the old grease that gets pushed out is just worn out and may have dirt in it giving it a black color.
The lubrication guide for my model doesn't even list the drive shaft for my model.
Michael

 

[Fordlords]

Even modern wheel bearing grease along with most general purpose grease has switched to a lithium base, where it was molybdenium (sp) based up till about 5 years ago, the moly being more black in color.

Just looked and the 1864 has CV joint couplings on its driveshaft. I wonder why, as there really isn't that much movement between the engine and the hydro in one of these tractors. Most of the Cub shafts are just splines, bolts, and rubber flex discs requiring no lubrication. Interesting

-Fordlords-

 

[TractorLarry]

I read somewhere that Moly based grease fell out of favor because it was building up layers of Moly on the bearings and causing failures from the reduced clearances.

I'm just used to stronger greases in bearings. I'll just keep using the GP Lithium grease. Sounds like it's ok.

As for the CV's, the 1864 was their 'premier' tractor back then (without going to the super-gardens). Other than that, who knows

-Larry

Even modern wheel bearing grease along with most general purpose grease has switched to a lithium base, where it was molybdenium (sp) based up till about 5 years ago, the moly being more black in color.

Just looked and the 1864 has CV joint couplings on its driveshaft. I wonder why, as there really isn't that much movement between the engine and the hydro in one of these tractors. Most of the Cub shafts are just splines, bolts, and rubber flex discs requiring no lubrication. Interesting

-Fordlords-

 

[JSharp]

I read somewhere that Moly based grease fell out of favor because it was building up layers of Moly on the bearings and causing failures from the reduced clearances.

I'm just used to stronger greases in bearings. I'll just keep using the GP Lithium grease. Sounds like it's ok.

As for the CV's, the 1864 was their 'premier' tractor back then (without going to the super-gardens). Other than that, who knows

-Larry

What you read about moly is off the mark. Moly is used as the extreme pressure component of many if not most EP automotive greases on the market.

Grease is basically a mix of a much thinner lubricatiing oil that does the actual work and a soap base made from something like a lithium or aluminum compound that provides the viscosity to keep the oil in place . In EP greases another component is added to give the grease it's Extreme Pressure properties. In "moly greases" that is the EP component, not the base.

If you're interested there are some links at the top of this page that go further into the discussion -

BOBISTHEOILGUY: THINGS ABOUT GREASE

I use Valvoline synthetic or synthetic blend grease EP grease with moly on pretty much everything I have around here including my Cub. It meets all the US and Japanese specs for driveline and chassis grease and works fine on everything on my little tractor...

 

[TractorLarry]

Thanks!

-Larry

What you read about moly is off the mark. Moly is used as the extreme pressure component of many if not most EP automotive greases on the market.

Grease is basically a mix of a much thinner lubricatiing oil that does the actual work and a soap base made from something like a lithium or aluminum compound that provides the viscosity to keep the oil in place . In EP greases another component is added to give the grease it's Extreme Pressure properties. In "moly greases" that is the EP component, not the base.

If you're interested there are some links at the top of this page that go further into the discussion -

BOBISTHEOILGUY: THINGS ABOUT GREASE

I use Valvoline synthetic or synthetic blend grease EP grease with moly on pretty much everything I have around here including my Cub. It meets all the US and Japanese specs for driveline and chassis grease and works fine on everything on my little tractor...

 

[CurlyDave]

What kind of grease do you guys use on your machines? -Larry

I like the Sta-Lube premium red grease, because it is red and I can tell when I have pushed all of the old grease out of the joint.

My John Deere salesman/field rep came by a few months ago for a different reason, but looked the machine over carefully and commented (without being asked) that he was happy to see me taking such good care of the machine, especially with the grease.

He could clearly see that I was not using Deere grease, but seemed to feel that plenty of it, and more often than specified, would help longevity, not matter what the brand.

 

[TractorLarry]

You guys heard of or used this stuff called "Green Grease" I see advertised on Speed channel?

-Larry

 

[Fordlords]

I can see where a mechanic would be pleased to see grease where it should be- any grease. Any general purpose type of grease used on the fittings of these tractors is fine, and definitely better than not greasing at all, which sadly is that case with many tractors. I just use tubes of the Super Tech general purpose grease from Wal-Mart in a pneumatic grease gun. (Little secret- the Super Tech branded oils and grease at Wal-Mart are manufactured by Quaker State for Wal-Mart.) It's not so much a matter of what color or brand grease you use, more a matter that the tractor actually gets greased frequently.

-Fordlords-

 

[TractorLarry]

I probably over-do it if anything

-Larry

I can see where a mechanic would be pleased to see grease where it should be- any grease. Any general purpose type of grease used on the fittings of these tractors is fine, and definitely better than not greasing at all, which sadly is that case with many tractors. I just use tubes of the Super Tech general purpose grease from Wal-Mart in a pneumatic grease gun. (Little secret- the Super Tech branded oils and grease at Wal-Mart are manufactured by Quaker State for Wal-Mart.) It's not so much a matter of what color or brand grease you use, more a matter that the tractor actually gets greased frequently.

-Fordlords-