Owners of off-road fleet equipment have made a significant financial investment in carefully selected equipment that they rely on to complete tasks and projects on time and within budget. Unscheduled downtime is the worst-case scenario for an owner/operator, especially if it occurs in the midst of a critical job. To safeguard this significant investment in equipment and to avoid expensive downtime, it is essential to use the finest lubricants available.
When deciding on the best grease for loader pins, there are many aspects to consider. The bulk of heavy equipment is subjected to hazardous operating conditions. They are capable of operating in a wide variety of temperatures and weather conditions. They are subjected to very high levels of dirt, dust, muck, and wetness. Additionally, they must be able to tolerate high pressures and stress loads. Their primary duty is to reduce downtime and generate revenues for the owner/operator.
They cannot make a living if their equipment is being repaired rather than being used on the job site. Choosing the correct grease is more about performance than cost. Choosing a lubricant solely on the basis of pricing might be the most costly error an operator can make in the long term.
The Best Grease for Loader Pins
Let’s have a look at what makes a grease deserving of the title of best grease for loader pins. Extreme pressure and shock loads are two conditions that front-end loaders are exposed to and must cope with. Whether the surfaces of metal components are rotating, sliding, oscillating, or subjected to severe shock loads, it is critical that the grease be designed with the best available extreme pressure agents that have been proved to survive tremendous pressure and shock loads. Apart from selecting the greatest EP additives, there is another additive that elevates an excellent grease to a world-class performer.
Molybdenum Disulfide’s Benefits
This one-of-a-kind natural ingredient is referred to as molybdenum disulfide. When molybdenum disulfide is added to a grease, the grease gains incredible severe pressure capabilities. If one were to examine all the metal surfaces that a lubricant or grease must preserve with a strong magnifying instrument, one would see that the metal surfaces are not smooth but rather rough and have many micro-sized valleys and hills.
When a molybdenum-based lubricant is used, the MoS2 begins to fill in all of the tiny hills and valleys, rising over the peaks of the hills and valleys and forming a tenacious and resistant protective coating. A lubricating oil’s purpose is to keep two metal surfaces apart when they are subjected to friction and severe pressure. If the lubricating film is broken, the two metal surfaces come into contact. The metal’s surfaces begin to wear away depending on the amount of pressure or friction created.
Utilizing a grease containing molybdenum disulfide provides an additional layer of protection beyond the lubricating fluid. If the film of this lubricating fluid is breached, the moly will continue to keep the two metal surfaces apart under intense pressure or frictional conditions. When metal components are coated with moly, their surfaces can endure pressures of up to 500,000 pounds per square inch. Any piece of equipment would be content if it were greased with this kind of grease.
Before proceeding further with the discussion of a grease’s severe pressure capabilities, it is critical to verify that the grease has been tested using the industry-standard Timken OK Load Test. A Timken OK Load rating of 75+ pounds identifies this grease as a top-of-the-line lubricant capable of withstanding high shock loads.
It has been shown that heavy-duty moly grease reduces friction and wear, as well as minimizes scuffing and galling. These achievements result in lower operating temperatures for bearings and components, extending equipment life and significantly reducing downtime. Because moly really plates to metal surfaces over time, it may offer dry film lubrication for a limited period of time, even if the grease were to diminish and be lost totally for whatever reason.
Additionally, the molybdenum content must meet a specific minimum amount. If the grease complies with the military standard MIL-M-7866, it includes 5% molybdenum disulfide. Simultaneously, it is prudent to monitor the grease’s performance when subjected to the 4 Ball Wear Test (ASTM D-2266.) If it leaves a scar of 0.45 mm in diameter, you’ve discovered a superb anti-wear extreme pressure grease that will preserve your equipment in the harshest situations. Consider moly as an insurance policy for lubricants.
Base Oils and Additives with Outstanding Performance
A critical factor to consider is the kind of base oil used to create the grease. As is the case with other high-performance lubricants, they should be developed and mixed entirely from pure synthetic base stock oils. These base oils are thermally stable, have no undesirable byproducts, and provide a solid platform for blending additives successfully.
After considering this superior base oil, the additive chemistry comes into play. A high-quality grease must include significant quantities of the following: antioxidants, EP additives, adhesive/cohesive additives, demusibility additives, corrosion inhibitors, friction modifiers, and, of course, moly.
By examining the specs sheet for a grease, one may learn a great deal about the quality and performance of the grease. A low 4 Ball Wear rating, a high Timken OK Load rating, and an excellent Water Washout rating all indicate that the lubricant manufacturer went above and beyond the norm in developing a specialty product.
Contaminant and Water Resistance
The capacity of a high-performance heavy-duty grease to keep out dangerous pollutants such as dirt, dust, dampness, and water is one of its critical tasks. A critical attribute of a high-quality heavy machine grease is its adhesive and cohesive properties. This sticky or tacky quality enables oil to attach to metal surfaces and prevents it from being pushed or pounded out under strong pressure.
This tackiness forms a tight barrier around the metal pieces to which it is applied, preventing dangerous impurities from entering. Additionally, due to the sticky and cohesive nature of the grease, it is very hard for it to be spun off moving components.
Critical components exposed to water and moisture may develop harmful rust and corrosion if left uncontrolled. When selecting the best grease for tractor loader pins, one of the deciding considerations is the grease’s water resistance. Investigate greases that have passed the ASTM D-1264 Water Washout Test. This industry-standard test demonstrates a grease’s resistance to significant volumes of water. A score of 1% on this test indicates that the grease is better in terms of water resistance.
Regardless of whether the equipment is utilized in trenching activities or other high-water settings, an adhesive and cohesive grease is normally a water-resistant grease. This kind of grease has high clingability, forming a protective seal around components, keeping moisture out and preventing rust, corrosion, and seizing.
Conclusion
We’ve covered the fundamental topics to consider when looking for a heavy-duty grease capable of performing various duties in the harshest of situations. We’ve briefly discussed the differences between petroleum-based greases and more advanced synthetic-based greases. Petroleum-based oils have a far longer history and have existed for a much longer period of time. Nonetheless, things have changed and progressed. The current economic situation requires heavy equipment operators to do everything possible to optimize their investments and deliver superior services. To that aim, transitioning from traditional petroleum-based lubricants and greases to synthetic lubricants and greases will result in greater advantages and cost savings associated with repairs.
The owner has spent some time deciding on which piece of equipment to purchase, and we strongly recommend that the same amount of time be spent carefully selecting the appropriate grease for a tractor loader. When all technical data and field experience are taken into account, specialty or custom mixed synthetic lubricants and greases are emerging as the preferred option for experts. They provide exceptional advantages across the board that much exceed those of traditional lubricants. They provide superior protection for a longer period of time and are capable of working in harsh operating circumstances that traditionally designed lubricants are technically incapable of handling.
AMSOIL is one lubricant company that stands out from the crowd. AMSOIL was the world’s first lubricant firm to create a synthetic motor oil that complied with API service criteria. If you’re searching for the best grease for a tractor loader, AMSOIL Synthetic Polymeric Off-Road Grease with 5% moly is your best pick. This incredible synthetic grease meets all of the criteria for the finest lubricant for a tractor loader.
Are synthetic lubricants and greases worth the additional initial investment? Clearly, the answer is yes if the objective is to optimize the life of costly heavy equipment while simultaneously drastically reducing unplanned downtime. Let’s review some of the most often asked questions while selecting the appropriate lubricant for a tractor loader.
Is the grease able to remain in place when subjected to high shock loads? Is it water-resistant, preventing it from being rinsed away? Is it 5% molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2) or molybdenum, which has been shown to significantly decrease wear, maintenance, and repair costs? Was it formulated using just 100% pure synthetic base stock oils? Is it suitable for a wide variety of applications, including bearings, ball joints, open gears, crane bearing pins, chassis points, and slide and cam mechanisms? Is it capable of operating at elevated temperatures or being exposed to subzero temperatures? Is it capable of performing the functions of numerous greases, hence lowering inventory?
If the answers to all of these concerns and questions are affirmative, then it can be concluded that you have discovered the best grease for loader pins.