An important word on grease compatibility – Progressive Turf Equipment SDR 90 User Manual
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An Important Word On Grease Compatibility
What Grease Is:
-Grease is essentially a distilled petroleum product in the form of mineral oil (or a
synthetic) which has a thickening agent such as lithium, calcium, barium, sodium, or
aluminum.
-Many of the thickeners will work for similar situations, but when mixing greases with
different thickeners, one must review compatibility. Grease incompatibility will actually
decrease the lubrication ability of the grease, and cause premature part failure.
-There may be other additives in the grease that impart special properties. These properties
may
be
“hi
gh
t
emper
a
t
ur
e”,
“ext
r
e
me
pr
e
s
s
ur
e
”
,
e
t
c
.
What We Use:
- Our bearing supplier uses Shell Alvania 2
- Progressive uses Texaco Multifak EP 2
- EP means extreme pressure
- Both greases have: - A mineral oil base
- A lithium thickener
- The mineral oil has a NLGI Grade 2
- Both greases are compatible with each other
Note:
-If a thickener other than lithium is used, the existing grease will be contaminated and the
lubrication properties may be lost.
-If a synthetic base oil is used rather than a mineral base oil, the grease will again be
contaminated and the lubrication properties may be lost
-Molybdenum Disulfide (Moly) is an additive used in slow moving, extreme load
appl
i
cat
i
ons
.
The
par
t
i
cl
es
i
n
t
he
“Mol
y”
wi
l
l
act
ual
l
y
increase bearing wear in a mower
spindle. Our grease does not contain Moly.
-The blade spindle temperature should never go above 120°F if properly greased; we do
not recommend high temperature grease.
A
gr
ea
s
e
wi
t
h
t
hes
e
f
ea
t
ur
es
i
s
cons
i
de
r
e
d
t
o
be
a
“Gene
r
al
Pur
pos
e
Gr
e
as
e
”.
Us
e
on
al
l
grease point locations on your Progressive Mower.
Our Recommendation for Grease Compatibility:
The grease you use for the blade spindle assemblies must have these properties:
NLGI grade 2
Lithium thickener (NOT LITHIUM COMPLEX OR LITHIUM 12-HYDROXY)
Kinematic Viscosity at 40°C is no greater than 190 cSt
Dropping Point Less than 400° F
General Purpose Grease, Not Heavy Duty
No MOLY (molybdenum disulphide) additives in the grease
No synthetic grease
No High Temperature Grease
Check the properties of the grease you wish to use with your supplier prior to use.