Mixing Grease Brands

DanielTerence · Jun 7, 2006

I greased my L2800 FEL for the first time a few weeks ago with Lucal Oil Heavy Duty grease $4.84 (green color) which was described as being great for farm equipment. As I injected it I noticed the original grease was a light brown color. Trying to find a cheaper grease I went to a tractor dealer who sold me Case multipurpose lithium grease #2. The Case grease says not to use with sodium or calcium greases. So I went on the web to see what was in the Lucas grease and don't see those ingredient listed. In doing that I read two different articles that warned about mixing different kinds of greases - which I may have already done.

So, should I take the Case grease back and get more Lucas to avoid mixing, or is using the Case with the Lucas not a problem?

Thanks.

DanielTerence · Jun 7, 2006

I greased my L2800 FEL for the first time a few weeks ago with Lucal Oil Heavy Duty grease $4.84 (green color) which was described as being great for farm equipment. As I injected it I noticed the original grease was a light brown color. Trying to find a cheaper grease I went to a tractor dealer who sold me Case multipurpose lithium grease #2. The Case grease says not to use with sodium or calcium greases. So I went on the web to see what was in the Lucas grease and don't see those ingredient listed. In doing that I read two different articles that warned about mixing different kinds of greases - which I may have already done.

So, should I take the Case grease back and get more Lucas to avoid mixing, or is using the Case with the Lucas not a problem?

Thanks.

Lockport · Jun 7, 2006

Due to different compounds in the variety of brands available, it is not advisable to mix different types of grease. However, the procedure you are looking for is to inject whatever grease you are going to use, until all the old grease (lets say brown) comes out, and keep injecting until you see your new grease, say, Chevron, EP #2, (purple), ooz out at the contact areas.
Personally, I always use an EP (Extreme Pressure) grease. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Lockport · Jun 7, 2006

Due to different compounds in the variety of brands available, it is not advisable to mix different types of grease. However, the procedure you are looking for is to inject whatever grease you are going to use, until all the old grease (lets say brown) comes out, and keep injecting until you see your new grease, say, Chevron, EP #2, (purple), ooz out at the contact areas.
Personally, I always use an EP (Extreme Pressure) grease. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

dholly · Jun 7, 2006

Mixing different grease base types is NOT recommended, and can lead to bearing failure. However, mixing different brands of similar base type is not a problem. Lucas X-TRA Heavy Duty Grease is Lithium based (pic of cartridge attached). I would say there is a 99.9% probability the dealer used a lithium based Multi-Purpose Grade #2 grease at setup for all zerks on your tractor, including your FEL. I think you are fine, no worries.

dholly · Jun 7, 2006

Mixing different grease base types is NOT recommended, and can lead to bearing failure. However, mixing different brands of similar base type is not a problem. Lucas X-TRA Heavy Duty Grease is Lithium based (pic of cartridge attached). I would say there is a 99.9% probability the dealer used a lithium based Multi-Purpose Grade #2 grease at setup for all zerks on your tractor, including your FEL. I think you are fine, no worries.

DanielTerence · Jun 7, 2006

Here's what I just found out: the Lucas grease is polyurea based, not lithium based (their red & tacky is lithium based)
Here's a link to the specs sheet (don't know if this will work here):
http://www.lucasoil.com/images/medialibrary/xtra_hd_grease.pdf
I called Lucas and they said the Lucas was not incompatible but I should inject until I see the new grease coming out to flush out the old.

DanielTerence · Jun 7, 2006

Here's what I just found out: the Lucas grease is polyurea based, not lithium based (their red & tacky is lithium based)
Here's a link to the specs sheet (don't know if this will work here):
http://www.lucasoil.com/images/medialibrary/xtra_hd_grease.pdf
I called Lucas and they said the Lucas was not incompatible but I should inject until I see the new grease coming out to flush out the old.

dholly · Jun 7, 2006

Daniel - my apologies, I stand corrected with a very red face! The only thing I can add is that, unlike high-speed bearing lubrication, in the case of FEL lubrication it shouldn't matter much if any. The oils contained in the greases are compatible, but what may happen when mixed is the carriers could become stiff and not lube or they may become more fluid and release the oils. Potentially catastrophic for high-speed bearings but a relative non-event for a simple point-to-point friction application. I would flush bearings if mixed, but in such a non-critical application I'm not sure I would feel a need to push all the Lucas grease out immediately. Probably just hit it with the correct lithium per the regular service interval recommendation and let it work itself out. YMMV.

dholly · Jun 7, 2006

Daniel - my apologies, I stand corrected with a very red face! The only thing I can add is that, unlike high-speed bearing lubrication, in the case of FEL lubrication it shouldn't matter much if any. The oils contained in the greases are compatible, but what may happen when mixed is the carriers could become stiff and not lube or they may become more fluid and release the oils. Potentially catastrophic for high-speed bearings but a relative non-event for a simple point-to-point friction application. I would flush bearings if mixed, but in such a non-critical application I'm not sure I would feel a need to push all the Lucas grease out immediately. Probably just hit it with the correct lithium per the regular service interval recommendation and let it work itself out. YMMV.

wushaw · Jun 7, 2006

I agree with Dholly...It is a friction slow moving surface not wheel bearings on a trailer or the ft. of your truck.
Your FEL only wants grease..it don't care what color.

wushaw · Jun 7, 2006

I agree with Dholly...It is a friction slow moving surface not wheel bearings on a trailer or the ft. of your truck.
Your FEL only wants grease..it don't care what color.

Theowegian · Jun 7, 2006

When a grease is mixed with another, the result is almost always softening of the grease. In rare cases, the grease can harden. In your case, just stick with one grease type and regrease a little more often than usual. You wont have a failure in your kind of application.

So in summary, dont mix greases if you can help it. In your case, just use your new grease from now on. You'll be fine. You may notice grease dripping off your grease points.

OBTW, in a roller bearing application, the grease can soften and run away from the metallic parts. That is a bad situation and can cause a bearing failure.

dwight

Theowegian · Jun 7, 2006

When a grease is mixed with another, the result is almost always softening of the grease. In rare cases, the grease can harden. In your case, just stick with one grease type and regrease a little more often than usual. You wont have a failure in your kind of application.

So in summary, dont mix greases if you can help it. In your case, just use your new grease from now on. You'll be fine. You may notice grease dripping off your grease points.

OBTW, in a roller bearing application, the grease can soften and run away from the metallic parts. That is a bad situation and can cause a bearing failure.

dwight

DanielTerence · Jun 8, 2006

Thanks everyone, I learn something new everyday. I paid more for the L2800 than any car I've ever owned so I want to be sure I care for it properly.

In regard to greasing - the sticker that says "grease every 10 hrs" also talks about greasing the FEL control lever linkage. I don't see that any where easily accessible. I asked the dealer and they said to take off the bottom cover below the control lever. That seems like a real pain to do every 10 hours. How do people grease the FEL control linkage?

Dan

DanielTerence · Jun 8, 2006

Thanks everyone, I learn something new everyday. I paid more for the L2800 than any car I've ever owned so I want to be sure I care for it properly.

In regard to greasing - the sticker that says "grease every 10 hrs" also talks about greasing the FEL control lever linkage. I don't see that any where easily accessible. I asked the dealer and they said to take off the bottom cover below the control lever. That seems like a real pain to do every 10 hours. How do people grease the FEL control linkage?

Dan

CTyler · Jun 8, 2006

I'd stay with a good synthetic EP grease....and do. I've used cheap "Farm grease" and it works but you end up greasing a lot more often. The other lesson learned one day was don't use the cheap grease in a BH. The BH gets greased before it gets used for the day. The next day no grease would go into the boom zirk and had to clean it out because it got hard.

CTyler · Jun 8, 2006

I'd stay with a good synthetic EP grease....and do. I've used cheap "Farm grease" and it works but you end up greasing a lot more often. The other lesson learned one day was don't use the cheap grease in a BH. The BH gets greased before it gets used for the day. The next day no grease would go into the boom zirk and had to clean it out because it got hard.