Recommended John Deere Grease

[DeereMann]

This is old information. Modern polyurea greases are mixable with lithium greases. Modern polyurea greases are stabilized 'complex' greases, the old version was not. There are many articles about this if you google it.

 

[sunnyside360]

This is old information. Modern polyurea greases are mixable with lithium greases. Modern polyurea greases are stabilized 'complex' greases, the old version was not. There are many articles about this if you google it.

I googled it and some conflicting info out there. Example, here is a long interesting discussion between engineers and chemists who work in the lubrication industry --- some agree and some disagree about polyurea grease compatibility. Benefits of polyurea greases. | LinkedIn

Also, a number of articles refer to The Skinny on Grease Compatibility which shows a chart depicting grease compatibility.

Here is John Deere Lubrication Guide which indicates Multi Purpose SD Polyurea grease is compatible with most other types of grease. https://jdparts.deere.com/partsmkt/document/english/featbene/DKD1801OilGuide.pdf

To answer the op's question, I've used John Deere Multi-Purpose Heavy-Duty Lithium Complex Grease (amber in color) for a long time w/o any issues

 

[deere5105]

Here is what is in manual for JD522/542 loaders.

 

[kcflhrc]

Sounds like there are as many opinions about grease as there is oil. I say go by the manual and you will be fine . Don't over think it.

 

[sixdogs]

After getting involved in this thread I decided to revisit the Deere grease issue and really learned a few things. My primary issue regarding Deere grease was if the old standby of lithium-moly blend was equal or better than the Deere polyurea grease. Long history shows the lith-moly handles shock loads like a loader especially well.

I spoke with an engineer who said the greases were similar regarding their ability to withstand the shock load but that the polyuria was generally better in that the thickeners added made it the first option. He would choose polyurea for shock load and severe sliding load.

OK...so I stopped my my friendly dealer to see what my favorite parts guy had to say. He said the polyurea by far outsells the lith-moly grease and that it is a favorite among the construction people like bulldozers and trac hoes and that would be his preference as well. No two ways about it.

Bottom line is I have decided to switch to polyurea grease for everything I own. Unless the next day or two turns up anything different, that's my plan. Goodbye nasty old lith-moly that I once tracked in the house and goodbye to keeping two greases around. The polyurea does the job better than the others and, gulp, is pretty besides.


Thanks to arlen for helping me with the errors of my ways.

 

[DeereMann]

Sounds like there are as many opinions about grease as there is oil. I say go by the manual and you will be fine . Don't over think it.

Yeah, but we got lithium grease with moly for all the chassis lubrication on all the vehicles. Don't want to carry a bunch of different greases unless really necessary.

 

[DeereMann]

Thanks for update sixdogs. Are you thinking about swithing to polyurea for chassis lube as well? Any concern about lack of dry lube additive (moly, etc.) for such applications?

 

[JMER817]

Thanks sixdog, I was leaning towards going with the polyurea and your research confirms my findings as well.

 

[DeereMann]

I dunno.......looks to me like the two main advtanges of polyurea thickner greases compared to lithium is still just water resistance & longevity. Both of which are not primary requirements of bucket pin or chassis greases. In fact, I would insist on the moly dry lube additive for longest joint life (especially chassis ball joints)..............Mobil Polyrex EP 2

That's why polyurea greases are used in electric motor bearings (long life as many motors run long hours w/o maintenance) and paper mill bearings (wet environment).

:2cents:

 

[sixdogs]

Thanks for update sixdogs. Are you thinking about swithing to polyurea for chassis lube as well? Any concern about lack of dry lube additive (moly, etc.) for such applications?

I have a little more research to double check things but the plan is to use the polyurea for everything. I still have some other greases left so I can run those though implements or whatever. Only have about 15 mixed tubes left and I picked up a 10 pack of polyurea yesterday. As noted earlier, the parts guy I know says polyurea outsells all the other grease combined and by a wide margin.

It didn't used to be this way but things have evolved over the past 10 years or so. I'm sure lith-moly would still be fine for 99% of TBN users and it would be fine for me as well but the cleaner appearance of the poly will keep my stuff looking better.