Abby's Guide to Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more)
Username Password
Discussions Reviews More Guides
Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > A Tip on a very good grease for outside applications

Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Search For:
borat


Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692

A Tip on a very good grease for outside applications
Original Message   Dec 13, 2008 10:09 am
Considering the latest rush on lubing snow throwers, I've finally decided to let the forum in on a couple top secret lubrications that I use.

These two products are for industrial applications such as exposed chains, cables, shafts, bushings etc.  It's black & very tacky but being in a spray can, goes on as easy as can be.  It sticks to stuff like sh!t on a blanket and lasts like nothing else.   I didn't buy this stuff.  I have a friend that worked at a pulp mill who had a supply of  it.  So you might have to do some searching on the INTERNET to track it down. 

I like it primarily because I can spray it on the chains inside the chassis.  I cover the friction drive surfaces with a rag and with the straw on the nozzle, I can direct the spray closely and accurately on the chain only, not all over the inside of the chassis.  If you can find this stuff, you'll like it. 

This message was modified Dec 13, 2008 by borat
Replies: 4 - 13 of 13Next page of topicsPreviousAllView as Outline
borat


Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692

Re: A Tip on a very good grease for outside applications
Reply #4   Dec 13, 2008 11:43 am
I love the smell of white lithium grease.  It almost smells a bit like pine.  I must say that it does have a very appealing  "nose", compared to most stuff I use.   I don't use it much in applications where it's exposed to the elements.  It doesn't hang in nearly as well as the the black stuff.
friiy


Location: Las Vegas, The Desert
Joined: Apr 12, 2008
Points: 600

Re: A Tip on a very good grease for outside applications
Reply #5   Dec 14, 2008 12:28 am
Areoshell 33 on lots of stuff,    and LPS 2 on cables and pullys...

Areoshell is good in wet enviroments down to -60 F and LPS will spray into cables and pullys and wipes off well...

If you guys are worried about your Snowthrowers rusting up on exposed metal,   try to use some LPS 3 sprayed and dryed over the area you want to protect.

Friy

mfduffy


Location: Wisconsin
Joined: Jan 8, 2008
Points: 50

Re: A Tip on a very good grease for outside applications
Reply #6   Dec 14, 2008 5:02 pm
I'm no expert, by any means, but I've had good success with SuperLube grease. It's widely available (in a silver/gray tube) at ACE Hardware. That on chains and teeth combined with synthetic motor oil on the shafts and WD-40 on cables has proven sufficient for our Wisconsin winters. But I'm a newbie with a relatively new machine -- just thought I'd put it out there.
IMMike


Joined: Dec 16, 2008
Points: 8

Re: A Tip on a very good grease for outside applications
Reply #7   Dec 16, 2008 6:46 am
  Chain and cable lubes are all pretty similar.  I use the Loctite "Gear, Chain, and Cable Lube" but if you're applying it regularly it really doesn't matter which one you use.  Yes, they work great for wire ripe, chain, and open gears.  You can get chain lube at any bike shop, or you can go to Fastenal or any other industrial-ish supplier and ask for chain and cable lube and they'll have something or other.
  White Lithium grease is the industry standard for a grease that won't wash off easily.  It's not the ultimate, but it's easy to get, inexpensive, and works well.   Some people call it 'marine grease'.  The ultimate would be a calcium sulphonate grease, but that's normally only used on heavy industrial equipment in very adverse conditions.

I.M.Mike
GtWtNorth


https://t.me/pump_upp

Location: https://t.me/pump_upp
Joined: Nov 16, 2008
Points: 264

Re: A Tip on a very good grease for outside applications
Reply #8   Jan 9, 2009 8:16 am
Borat, your comments reminded me of a well intentioned someone I know who decided it was time to do some maintenance and a thorough lubrication of his snowblower. Upon completion he was dismayed to find that while the auger turned, the machine would not move in any direction. You know the rest of the story... he was very diligent in greasing everything, including the friction wheels!

Thanks for the tip on the lubes. I'm no expert but I came across Bardahl chain lube & it seems to work well. I used it when I had the drive train disassembled, and it came out of the can a little foamy & runny but soon gelled up quite nicely. I don't know how well it would work if applied in the cold, because the directions say to pre-heat the chain with a 5 minute ride before you use it.

Cheers, Paul

https://t.me/pump_upp
borat


Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692

Re: A Tip on a very good grease for outside applications
Reply #9   Jan 9, 2009 9:54 am
That's why it's important to use a product that will seep into chain links then get very tacky quickly.   The black spray grease I use is god awful stuff to have to clean up after being applied.  It sticks like gorilla snot.  I'm very careful how I apply it and I make sure I have a piece of cardboard on the garage floor to catch any drips if I get sloppy.  Once it's on and set up, it lasts and lasts.
MacLorry27


Joined: Dec 23, 2008
Points: 54

Re: A Tip on a very good grease for outside applications
Reply #10   Jan 9, 2009 10:39 am

The problem with light oil is that while it penetrates, it doesn’t protect the chain and sprockets as well as heavy oil. The problem with "sticky" lubes is that they hold any dirt or grit they come in contact with and you end up with an abrasive paste rather than a lubricant. The best stuff I have found for chains is called Tri-Flow. It’s a light penetrating oil that displaces water, but it contains microscopic particles of Teflon that protect the chain and sprockets better than oil alone can do. The big market for it is bicycles, but I used it on my on and off road motorcycles for over 20 years with excellent results. It’s probably overkill for snow thrower chains, but it will certainly do the job.

borat


Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692

Re: A Tip on a very good grease for outside applications
Reply #11   Jan 9, 2009 12:27 pm
I agree with the tacky stuff attracting and holding grit.  However, any lubrication will do that albeit to a lesser degree.  I have used a variety of chain lubes on my bikes.  My KLR650 has been a test bed for a number of designated chain lubes as well as the stuff I use on the snow blower.   I use O ring chains which, theoretically don't require manual lubrication.  I've read extensively on the subject as well as participate in forums where very experienced (read older) riders have tried various lubes over the years.  Most of them have concluded that WD-40 applied every 300 to 400 miles will extend chain life on a dual purpose bike being ridden in mixed conditions to well over 30000 miles.  Some objectors believe that WD-40 will wash out the grease being held in by the O rings.  That, apparently is untrue.  I have found that it will wash off grit and grime which would likely have an abrasive effect on the O rings if left unattended.  I've been using  WD-40 exclusively now for about 6000 miles.  I see no visible wear on chain or sprockets and have made one chain adjustment in the last 5000 miles or so.  The chain is looking very good but it only has 11000 miles on it so far. 

Being that snow throwing involves snow, water & salt, the black, tacky stuff on a snow thrower is perfect for that application.  There's no dust to worry about and it is resistant to washing off better than anything else I've seen or used.   Salty water will rust up components pretty fast.  On a snow thrower, the more resistant the lube is to washing off, the better. 

This message was modified Jan 9, 2009 by borat
Muskokaphotog


Joined: Jan 8, 2009
Points: 10

Re: A Tip on a very good grease for outside applications
Reply #12   Jan 14, 2009 10:53 pm
What mechanism do you know of that is exposed to the elements and often punished by rain, mud and sand? This mechanism also has to put up with occasional grass, twigs and more. It's called a bicycle gear and chain drive. For demanding outdoor applications requiring the optimum of lubing and rust prevention, I use hi grade chain lube from a bike store. DO NOT use WD-40. It is just too light and actually strips away some of the silicone lubricants that are apart of modern drives. For rust prevention, Crown Rust proofing spray is the best.
Bill_H


Location: Maine
Joined: Jan 12, 2008
Points: 354

Re: A Tip on a very good grease for outside applications
Reply #13   Jan 14, 2009 11:26 pm
FYI, the Keystone doesn't seem to be easily obtained, but the Crown is available at acehardwareoutlet.com for 7.68 a can.
A place called toolfetch has it for  $79 a case, or  6.58 a can but seems to sell cases only.

I think I'll write both names down for the next time I am near my semi-local industrial hardware store.

Who the hell let all the morning people run things?
Replies: 4 - 13 of 13Next page of topicsPreviousAllView as Outline
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Guide   •   Discussions  Reviews  
AbbysGuide.com   About Us   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us
Copyright 1998-2024 AbbysGuide.com. All rights reserved.
Site by Take 42