There are a lot of lubrication points on a truck and trailer, leading many fleets to carry multiple greases to meet the various requirements of each component. However, many experts agree that fleets often stock too many greases when fewer multi-purpose lubes can accomplish the same job for less expense.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen that fleets may have three or four different greases that they’re using on the same piece of equipment,” said Paul Cigala, Exxon Mobil commercial vehicle lubricants applications engineer. “Chassis grease, fifth wheel grease, whatever they’re using on the trailer – a lot of that can be combined.”
While there can be reasons a specific grease is required for a given component, Cigala said there’s usually an opportunity for at least some consolidation.
“One for the under-chassis, one for the fifth wheel, and one for the trailer axle hubs, which is actually a semi-fluid grease,” added BP/Castrol Field Engineering/Heavy-Duty Technical Services Manager Jami Melani. “Actually, you can probably do it very effectively with no more than three greases.”
For example, an ASTM D 4950 GCLB grease can be used on the chassis and wheel bearings that don’t call for double-aught (00) grease, said Shell Lubricants OEM Technical Services Manager Stede Granger.
“Could there be a better grease for some of the items? Yes,” he said, noting it could even be used on the fifth wheel, although it would require more frequent grease intervals compared to a standard fifth wheel grease. “But if you’ve got to go with one grease, [an ASTM D 4950 GC-LB grease] does it all.”
Greases approved for the NLGI Certification Mark GC-LB include a variety of tests performance requirements including wear protection and operating temperature range.
