Grease is the word

[TR5tar]

I'm a bit of a sucker for marketing hype, so I have to check myself when I come across a product that I've not heard of before, especially when said product promises great things in terms of protecting my TR (or making it go faster, run smoother, etc., etc.). This time it's grease. I've been reading up on this Archoil stuff. Here's the blurb ...

 

"Extremely low friction surface coefficient of 0.037

Highest load bearing 4000 lbs

Excellent corrosion protection in marine environments

Shear stability over thousands of cycles

Very high dropping point (-35F to 550F)

 

AR8200 High Performance Grease, with Nanoborate, is designed for extreme pressure and extreme temperature applications, formulated to provide maximum lubricity, wear reduction, EP, and corrosion protection in heavy equipment, bearings and gears, even in extreme environments. AR8100 is the latest development in the grease industry incorporating the most advanced solid boundary nanoborate lubricant offering properties surpassing previous boron lubricants and far exceeding traditional AW additives such as zinc, phosphorous and chlorinated paraffin's which are all toxic and become acidic and corrosive as they deplete. Nanoborate is also superior to EP additive packages found in specialty greases such as moly, graphite and boric acid. AR8200 is formulated with superior oils, a specialized additive package and the latest synthetic thickener to be developed in the grease industry. The added Calcium Complex offers exceptional anti-corrosion properties never before available in multipurpose greases."

 

So, is it as good as it sounds, and if so is it a better option for the TR than the usual Castrol LM grease I use?

 

Cheers, Darren

[RogerH]

Hi Darren,

it sounds far better than its write up could ever achieve - never heard of it.

 

If your LM grease has never let you down why abandon it.

 

If you want a proper grease that has all the certificates and bits of paper go for an aerospace grease, but the paper costs money.

 

For my general greasing I use Aeroshell 7. It has a nice low cold number and a good high hot number. Works well. But, so does LM.

 

Aeroshell 7 is ideal for the wiper rack as it stays very pliable when cold; LM can get goo'y. The wipers need all the help they can get.

 

Roger

[Guest ntc]

Find a local JCB dealer

[john.r.davies]

Googled for "nanoborate" and the first three pages of hits are all for "Archoil" or other commercial hype.

Except one academic article, that wasn't really relevant.

So I did the same search for 'articles' and found Zhao, Zhao et al, Tribological [friction to you and me] properties of nano-calcium borate as lithium grease additive, Lubrication Science 18/4/13

 

I'm not paying for the full article so here's the abstract:

 

"Nano-calcium borate (NCB) with an average particle size of about 70 nm was synthesised via ethanol supercritical fluid drying technique, and the morphology and microstructures of as-prepared particles were characterised by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM, JEOL LTD., Tokyo, Japan) and X-ray powder diffraction. The friction and wear behaviour of the NCB as additive in lithium grease were evaluated with an Optimol-SRV IV (Optimol Instruments Prüftechnik GmbH, Munich, Germany) oscillating friction and wear tester (SRV tester). The morphology and surface composition of the worn surfaces of lower discs after SRV test were analysed by SEM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, Physical Electronics, Inc., USA). The result demonstrated that the anti-wear and load-carrying capacities of the lithium grease were significantly improved, and the friction coefficient of the lithium grease decreased with the addition of NCB additive. The analytical results of XPS indicate that the good tribological performance of NCB is attributable to the formation of a boundary lubrication film composed of deposited NCB and the tribochemical reaction products such as B2O3, CaO and iron oxides on the rubbing surface. "

 

So there may be evidence, even significance, that nano-calcium borate improves wear resistance - you'll have to read the whole thing to judge if it's useful!

 

John

[Nigel Triumph]

I've never had a problem with Castrol LM that made me feel the need for a better grease on a classic car.

 

Nigel

[BlueTR3A-5EKT]

I just typed in a search 'Castrol LM Grease' - there does not seem to be any stock of it, unless I have failed somewhere.

 

I note that I can buy an empty tin for a fiver on ebay to display.

 

There is an offer of 400 gram cartridges at over £18.00 each. This makes the AeroShell 7 product look a good price.

 

Here is the range and a supplier of AeroShell: https://www.lasaero.com/site/products/category?id=Y017N00GJ

 

Enjoy your lube

 

Peter W

Edited May 17, 2017 by BlueTR3A-5EKT

[peejay4A]

I believe its new name is Castrol Multi-purpose Grease.

[RobH]

Castrol LM is apparently now called Castrol Multi-Purpose Grease

 

 

(must have beat me to it by seconds Pete!)

Edited May 17, 2017 by RobH

[TR5tar]

Thanks for thoughts so far.

 

I think those that said the Castrol LM is now called Multi Purpose are correct, although it seems you can still buy it with "LM" on the label from some places. I purchased mine via Amazon. Pricewise the LM and the Archoil (at least on Amazon) are about the same for 400g. I'll have to check the JCB grease for price. I suppose, as Nigel suggests, for the applications I'll be using it for, LM is perfectly adequate, but then if the price isn't that much difference maybe this new stuff is worth ago. Seems like the research John found backs up the claims.

 

Cheers, Darren

[Guest ntc]

Think of what a JCB or CAT has to do, work it out.

[DaveN]

Aeroshell 7, Tractor grease .....PAH! So yesterday! What you need is Mobil 28 fer yer wheel bearings an BRAYC0TE3214 everywhere else They both have a quite reasonable working temperature range!

Personally I use that blue sh!t from Moss, does what it says on the tin...or tube!

 

 

You can tell I'm bored today!

 

Dave

[Blue cedar]

Dave, I am bored too.......

 

Neil, for those not on your wave length.....there might be one or two out there !!!

 

Go on, I dare you........ put us out of our misery and tell us what you use with justification or at least give us a third and final clue !

[Alec Pringle]

No doubt the lubricating fluids specifically formulated for JCB and Caterpillar machines are the best for their specialist job, and tough as old boots.

 

I'm not convinced that the operating conditions and parameters of these big new offroad diesel construction machines are entirely akin to our little petrol sports cars of decades ago ?

 

Horses for courses and all that . . . . ?

 

Cheers

 

Alec

[Blue cedar]

Alec...that is exactly what I was thinking.....hence, desperate for another clue.

[Hamish]

Hi folks I have had a think about Neil's criptic clues. And understand that JCBs and CATs have a hard life with Many pivot points that need greasing but I think that's just too simple and neil thinks on a higher plain (plane?)

he has helped me in the past with simple to him tasks. I'm a bit of and inexperienced spannerer

But I think I have solved this one I am proud to say.

Look at the common denominator. the jcb cat grease is suitable in our application in certain circumstances. Thus one would use it on these TR s

Edited May 18, 2017 by Hamish