Submitted By: Case IH Parts & Service

What’s one thing you always have on hand at the shop? A few tubes of grease? Engine and hydraulic oil? Using these products in your regular maintenance routines is critical to protecting equipment components and prolonging machine life.

Our team at Case IH recently asked customers what they wanted to know about equipment lubricants and maintenance routines. Let’s see how our Case IH engineers respond and what they recommend for your machines.

Jeremy from Nebraska asked, “When should I be using lithium grease vs. regular red grease?

Grease is composed of three main parts: base oil for lubricating, a thickener (i.e., lithium, lithium complex, calcium sulfonate, etc.) to immobilize the base oil and additives to enhance the performance of the grease. The color of the grease you use is not an indication of performance level or thickener type. Case IH offers several types of grease, including multi-purpose, hi-temp multi-purpose, multi-purpose moly, premium multi-purpose and others. Each option differs based on additives, thickener and suitable-use cases, like high or low temperature applications. We recommend reviewing your operator’s manual for guidance on which grease type you should apply based on equipment type and use.

Mackenzie from Alberta asked, “How can I boost performance and hours between oil changes in my equipment?

Maximizing the oil change drain intervals for your equipment begins with using genuine lubricants.  Let’s use engine oil as an example. The drain interval recommended in the operator’s manual for your Case IH equipment may be 50% longer than it would be with other engine oil options. The recommended oil change intervals published in the operator’s manuals are determined using multiple factors, including lubricant sump size, intensity of operation, operating temperature and recommended lubricant product. We recommend using No.1 Engine Oil^™, Hy-Tran^® Premium, Extended-Life OAT Coolant and CNH grease for Case IH equipment. These lubricants are the only ones engineered, tested and proven for maximum performance.

Jocelyn from Saskatchewan asked, “We know about heat tolerance for lubricants, but what about cold tolerance?

At a basic level, a lubricant is unable to do its job unless it can physically get to where it is needed. Colder outdoor temperatures lead to a higher viscosity, or a thickening of the oil, which can impede flow to critical components of your machine. Using synthetic products is one primary solution to interrupted lubricant flow. For example, a full synthetic 0W-40 engine oil would have better cold flow characteristics compared to a 15W-40 while providing the necessary protection for your equipment.

Bruce from Missouri asked, “What are the benefits of small bulk vs. buying 50-gallon drums?

The Case IH small bulk program has multiple benefits for farmers using 250 gallons or more of one eligible lubricant product each year. First, cost savings; producers can get the same oil product for a lower price thanks to bulk savings. Second, it creates efficiencies for the operation. Small bulk lubricants are delivered for free and pumped directly into storage tanks on the farm. Finally, the design of the small bulk storage containers reduces waste from leftover oil residue, lowers on-farm packaging waste and minimizes contamination risk.

Do you have more questions about the lubricants you use in your equipment? Visit your local Case IH Dealer or read more about Case IH lubricants at mycnhstore.com/us/en/caseih/leadinglubricantscih.