Question on electric motor grease for lube experts

[Razorhunter]

Chevron Black Pearl EP, Chevron SRi 2 (polyureas)
OR Licas Red n Tacky?? OR???

Guys,
I have a nice 20hp Leeson electric motor I just scored on the cheap from a guy who never used it that much.
I've recently taken an interest in trying to convince my maintanence partner at work to stop using "any old grease" for any random application we encounter, and to start using the manufacturers recommended lubes WHEN we think its necessary. Hey, its a start.
Now I kniw many times, grease is just grease. But what do you guys say about electric motor bearing grease?
I realize that how often you grease is probably just as, if not more important than what exact grease you use. However, with a big expensive 20hp motor like this, I thought it better to ask. Enough bull. Here's the bottom line.
A Google search shows Leeson recommends using "polyurea" type grease. Either Chevron Black Pearl EP or Chevron SRi 2. (this is the original green stuff in the pic) It is NLGI 2 but unsure what polyurea means and unsure if its just a lithium base grease or not?
The red stuff in the pic is Lucas Red n Tacky my maintanence partner pumped in before I gave him permission to do so.
Obviously, my question is are these two greases compatible or do I need to clean both greases out of this motor, get on amazon and order this Chevron polyurea grease, or can I just leave well enough alone?
What do you guys do for big motors like this, and who can give me more insight here? Thanks guys.

 

[5ubtle]

I'm not a lube expert, and I don't have practical experience with greasing lots of electric motors, but maybe I can help get the conversation started.

Look here.

Polyurea grease is not a kind of lithium grease. I don't know if they are compatible or not, but I suggest that you find out. If not, it would be best for you to wash out the bearing and only put in one kind. The compatibility chart here says that Lithium Complex (Red N Tacky) is compatible with Shear Stable Polyurea but incompatible with Conventional Polyurea. You can call Chevron and ask them if their grease is compatible with Lithium Complex grease.

After the NLGI number, you will want to match up the "base oil viscosity" of the recommended grease. The base oil viscosity of Chevron SRi 2 is 116 cSt at 40°C (ref). The base oil viscosity of the Red N Tacky is 18 cSt at 100°C (ref) which converts to about 200 cSt at 40°C. The Red N Tacky is too thick but is probably close enough.

My guess is that your motor bearings will survive if you washed them then put in only the Red N Tacky, but if it were mine, I'd go with the recommended grease or do a lot more research. At a minimum, any grease that you put in should be described as "ball and roller bearing grease" or similar.

 

[bob15]

We use this Mobil grease on our electric motors at work and it is polyurea compatible.

https://www.mobil.com/en/industrial/lubricants/product-series/mobil-polyrex-em-series


Lubrication Engineers and Schaeffer both makes a polyurea greases as well:

https://www.lelubricants.com/lit/flyers/1282%20Product%20Info.pdf

https://www.schaefferoil.com/documents/158-278-td.pdf

I would buy the correct grease and try to remove the Lucas grease that was pumped in. They (Lucas & polyurea additive package) might be compatible, but there is a reason why we have difference greases for different applications. I would stick with what Leeson recommends for a grease additive package.

 

[Razorhunter]

Thanks for the comments guys. I truly appreciate it.

 

[Razorhunter]

I think I'll order the proper grease frim Chevron.

 

[bob15]

I think I'll order the proper grease frim Chevron.

Smart move.

If Chevron is out of stock or you cannot get it for whatever, the 3 places I mentioned make & sell high quality products I have and will continue to use and work and home.