Grease Alternative? Bio or Soy or Whatever. Cancel The title field is required!

1. Steven Scott

   

   0 posts
   
   3/9/2015 1:03 PM

   Anyone out there using a bio based or alternative grease for zerks on mowers? I see all the non-burning bio hydraulic fluids and motor oils, but haven't seen a grease. Not that grease causes a burn issue per say but when the guys get a little too overzealous with the grease gun I do occasionally find grease droppings on the greens. Obviously this could be solved with a paper towel before the mower goes out but I'm not always in the shop to babysit them, in fact I'm just pleased when they remember to check for lubrication.

   
   
   
   
2. Dinger Greg

   
   3/9/2015 2:03 PM

   There are some food grade products out there, but I don't think you'll see the protection you desire from them, in our environment. I feel its better to use a super stiff, fibrous product, sparingly. These products tend to form a protective layer, as dust and debris collect around the greased point, and offer an extra layer of protection, both in and out.
   
   It may sound corny, but "Greasing With Accountability" is a real thing, and many articles have been written about it.

   
   
   
   
3. Kyle Fick

   

   4 posts
   
   3/10/2015 9:03 AM

   We tried the food grade greases a couple times, with mixed results. I came to find that if the grease gets wet, it is much more soluble than traditional lubricants. In a scenario such as on a mower cutting head, when used on a wet surface with dew or irrigated turf, the the moisture and residual clippings mix with this "crisco" type product and still causes black streaks on greens. When we treat our cutting units the same way with moderate grease levels, we've seen less grease drips as the lubricant repels water, keeping it where it is supposed to be. We have to grease less as it holds up better, and it keeps cleaner.
   
   When I was new to any type of equipment maintenance procedures, an old mentor of mine told me to take my lubricant, and put a pea size glob between your thumb and fore finger. The longer it stretches, the longer it will take to break down and flow out do to heat and moisture. The food grade grease is not very viscous and has little stretch capabilities. But I'm no expert by any means.

   
   
   
   
4. Frank McQuiggan

   

   2 posts
   
   3/10/2015 10:03 AM

   I agree with Greg, a good quality grease will keep you rolling better than using a lower quality grease. I use a heavy duty Valvoline Cerulean from Gemplers. I grease reels and rollers once a week just a pump or two from the grease gun. This grease holds up very well on all my reels and rollers. I just replaced all the bearings in 30 reels after 2 years and only had 7 that were no longer useable. The rest of them will be kept for other applications. (Super wants 2 year rotation on bearings so we don't have failures during the year). I would recommend using a very high quality grease that has been proven, I know that Greg swears by SWEPCO, I use Valvoline, both seem to do the job very well.

   
   
   
   
5. Corey Eastwood

   

   82 posts
   
   3/10/2015 11:03 AM

   Always used food grade grease on green mowers. Never a problem.

   
   Corey Eastwood CGCS, Stockton Golf & CC, Retired
   
   
6. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   3/11/2015 5:03 AM

   I use Swepco 103. It cannot be mixed with water and does not break down. It is the most tacky grease around, and when you purge your rollers the water will come out clear like tap water. It's the best I've seen in 30+ years in this business. As Greg mentioned, if you leave a little on the outer edge it will harden and create an external like seal, and it can be cleaned off easily if desired. I have pulled many reel motors and pink, gray, and translucent blue grease run right out but not with Swepco. Since 2005 I have only lost two rollers and they were rear rough rollers on a Deere 800, and two water pump style bearings. That's it for bearing failure in the past 10 years. I put it in all my equipment the day it rolls off the delivery truck and never look back. Just my thoughts but I know a number of guys using this product and will say the same thing.
   
   Regards,

   
   
   
   
7. Loughrey Dave K

   
   3/25/2015 8:03 PM

   I spray the zerk fittings with wd40 before greasing. It's great. So after I disconnect the grease gun all the over grease sticks to the rag and not the outer zerk. All it takes is a small piece of the rag to touch the over grease ,and the blob comes off. Leaving a clean zerk.