How we researched this guide
We compared five NLGI #2 greases across three thickener families — calcium sulfonate, lithium complex and polyurea — against maker documents: Lucas data sheets and its formula-change page, Valvoline technical bulletins, and ExxonMobil product data for the two Mobil greases. Every test figure here (weld point, wear scar, Timken load, washout, dropping point) is maker-published and attributed where it appears.
For availability we checked Amazon listing records product by product. Two picks carry verified listings and their own buttons; three are distributor-sold, could not be tied to a verified listing, and carry a written alternative with an affiliate link instead — stated at each one. We do not test grease and we print no prices. Grease work sits alongside fluid service in our heavy-duty oils and fluids archive, the sibling degreaser guide and the diesel engine comparison.
The 30-second answer
Start with the grade and thickener your equipment manual names, then match the additive package to the contact. Most mixed fleets should buy Lucas Red ’N’ Tacky: one tacky cartridge for pins, chassis and sliding parts. For shock-loaded pins, bushings and fifth wheels, Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic is the moly pick. Mobilgrease XHP 222 covers wet and washout work, Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty covers long-service bearings, and Mobil Delvac Xtreme covers the fifth-wheel and bucket-pin circuit. Never mix thickener families without a purge — our maintenance checklist covers the rest of the service routine.
Best Overall
Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease, 14 oz
Best if one cartridge must cover pins, chassis and sliding parts across a mixed fleet: a tacky grease with the strongest current-formula weld figure here and documented washout resistance. Lucas changed its thickener, so read the formula note in its review before mixing.
Best for Pins, Bushings and Shock Loads
Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease, 1 lb
Best if bucket pins, bushings and fifth wheels take shock loads: a full synthetic lithium complex fortified with molybdenum disulfide, the solid additive makers route to sliding, shock-loaded contacts, with a 60 lb Timken figure.
Best for Wet and Washout Work
Mobilgrease XHP 222
Best if machines live in water, mud and wash bays: a lithium complex built for hostile aqueous work, with documented 5 percent washout and 10 percent spray-off figures and an NLGI water-resistance certification. Distributor-sold.
No verified Amazon listing for this grease — alternative: Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease, the verified pick this guide pairs with it.
Best for Long-Service Bearings
Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty Grease, 14.5 oz
Best if bearings run long intervals between services: a polyurea grease certified to the NLGI high-performance standard, with the lowest documented washout and wear scar here. Polyurea also means the strictest no-mixing rule.
No verified Amazon listing for this grease — alternative: Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic Grease, the verified pick this guide pairs with it.
Best for Fifth Wheels, Bucket Pins and Chassis
Mobil Delvac Xtreme Grease
Best if the work is the truck and loader circuit the maker names for it: hinge and bucket pins, U-joints and fifth wheels, on a thick 320 cSt base oil. A fleet-channel grease, paired below with a verified alternative.
No verified Amazon listing for this grease — alternative: Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic Grease, the verified pick this guide pairs with it.
Quick compare: the five greases at a glance
| Product | Thickener | Grade | Maker weld point (four-ball) | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky | Calcium sulfonate (current formula) | NLGI 2 | 500 kgf | Check Price |
| Valvoline Moly Full Synthetic | Lithium complex + moly | NLGI 2 | 315 kg | Check Price |
| Mobilgrease XHP 222 | Lithium complex | NLGI 2 | 315 kgf | No verified listing — alternative: Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease |
| Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty | Polyurea | NLGI 2 | 400 kgf | No verified listing — alternative: Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic Grease |
| Mobil Delvac Xtreme | Lithium complex | NLGI 2 | 250 kgf | No verified listing — alternative: Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic Grease |
Weld point is the load at which the test balls seize — a last-resort figure, not a working load. The reviews weigh it with wear scar, Timken load and washout, never alone.
Grease finder: match the grease to the contact
Pick the contact you are greasing and how it is loaded. Every result names a grease from this guide. Where that grease has no verified Amazon listing, the button is for the written alternative this guide pairs with it, and the result says so.
How to choose a heavy equipment grease
The manual first: NLGI grade and thickener
Your equipment manual is the specification, not a suggestion. Most heavy equipment manuals call for an NLGI #2 grease, which is why all five picks here are #2 — but grade is only half the instruction. Where the manual names a thickener family or a moly content, that instruction outranks every award in this guide, including ours.
Thickener compatibility: never mix families blind
These five greases use three thickener families — calcium sulfonate, lithium complex and polyurea — and families do not always get along in the same pin or bearing. Valvoline’s own guidance warns that mixed greases can break down. Changing families means purging the point until the old grease is out, as the troubleshooting table covers.
Moly for sliding and shock, never for high-speed bearings
Molybdenum disulfide is a solid that keeps protecting when the oil film is squeezed out of a slow, shock-loaded contact — pins, bushings, fifth wheels. The same solid has no place in high-speed rolling bearings, where makers route you to a clean polyurea or lithium complex instead. The finder enforces this split on every branch.
Read the test sheet, not the tub
Four numbers tell you most of what a grease will do: weld point (seizure resistance), wear scar (everyday protection), Timken OK load, and water washout. A grease that wins one and fails another is a specialist, not a champion — XHP 222’s washout figures and Delvac Xtreme’s modest weld point are both printed plainly in their reviews.
Heat: dropping point is a ceiling marker, not a working temperature
Dropping point is where a grease first drips under test heat, not a temperature it can work at all day. Use it to screen out greases that will slump near brakes and hubs, then respect the maker’s application guidance for the real working range.
Format and fleet size
A single machine eats cartridges; a fleet eats pails and kegs, and every pick here is sold in bulk sizes beyond the cartridge or jar this guide names. Buy the format your grease guns and bulk filler actually take, and standardise the fleet on as few thickener families as the manuals allow.
Grease test data by job
| Job | Pick | Governing maker figure | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shock-loaded pins and bushings | Valvoline Moly Full Synthetic | Timken 60 lb; weld 315 kg; moly-fortified | Maker technical bulletin |
| Bucket pins and fifth wheels | Mobil Delvac Xtreme | Maker-named for pins, U-joints, fifth wheels; base oil 320 cSt | Maker product data |
| Wet and wash-bay work | Mobilgrease XHP 222 | Washout 5 percent loss; spray-off 10 percent loss | Maker product data |
| Long-service bearings | Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty | Washout 0.2 percent; wear scar 0.41 mm; NLGI HPM certified | Maker data sheet (current) |
| General fleet chassis work | Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky | Weld 500 kgf (current formula); washout 2.8 percent | Maker data sheet + formula page |
| High-temperature hubs | Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty | Dropping point 562 F minimum | Maker data sheet (current) |
Keep this table with the grease cabinet: it is the finder in print. The same read-the-data discipline runs through our heavy-duty truck winch guide, diesel truck winch guide and F-150 winch guide.
Heavy equipment greases by budget
| Tier | What you get | Example pick from this guide |
|---|---|---|
| Single-cartridge tier | One generalist cartridge for a mixed fleet | Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky |
| Synthetic moly tier | Full synthetic base oil plus moly for shock-loaded points | Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic |
| Fleet and distributor tier | Pails and kegs through lubricant distributors, fleet specifications | Mobilgrease XHP 222 / Mobil Delvac Xtreme |
| Specialty thickener tier | Polyurea long-service performance, with a purge when you switch | Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty |
Every tier demands the same discipline: the manual’s grade, one thickener family per point, a purge when the family changes.
Types of equipment greases compared
| Type | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium complex | Fleet default: high dropping point, broad manual acceptance | Moly-free versions are mid-pack on shock loads | General chassis and bearings (XHP 222, Delvac Xtreme) |
| Lithium complex + moly | Solid film survives squeeze-out and shock loading | Keep out of high-speed bearings | Pins, bushings, fifth wheels (Valvoline Moly) |
| Polyurea | Long service life, strong high-speed bearing manners, very low washout | Strictest mixing rules; purge before switching | Long-service and motor bearings (Lucas X-Tra) |
| Calcium sulfonate | Inherent water and corrosion resistance, strong EP figures | Newer in this fleet role; check formula when reordering | Wet generalist work (Red ‘N’ Tacky, current formula) |
Detailed reviews of the best heavy equipment greases
Each review follows the same order — why it earns its award, specs, fit, pros and watch-outs, owners, skips, and pairings. Where a pick has no verified Amazon listing, its alternative is stated in the review, not buried.
Best Overall: Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease, 14 oz
Best Overall
Why the Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease, 14 oz is our pick
Red ’N’ Tacky earns the top slot the way fleet greases should: one cartridge covering pins, chassis, sliding surfaces and open gears, with a current-formula sheet showing a 500 kgf weld point, 2.8 percent washout and zero oil separation. It is the only pick a small fleet can standardise on without a distributor account.
Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease, 14 oz key specs
- Part number: 10005 (Lucas Oil)
- Size: 14 oz cartridge
- NLGI grade: 2
- Thickener: calcium sulfonate (current formula; earlier production lithium complex)
- Certification: NLGI GC-LB
- Worked penetration: 280 dmm
- Dropping point: above 540 F per the maker formula page; the maker data sheet reads above 586 F — see the formula note
- Water washout: 2.8 percent loss at 175 F
- Four-ball EP weld point: 500 kgf (current formula; 400 kgf earlier)
- Four-ball wear scar: 0.49 mm
- Oil separation: 0 percent (current formula)
- Base oil viscosity: 120 cSt at 40 C
Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease, 14 oz: fits and best for
Best for mixed fleets greasing everything from loader pins to trailer hubs with one gun and cartridge, and for sliding surfaces and open gears where tackiness keeps grease in place. More context: our oils and fluids archive.
Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease, 14 oz pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Strongest current-formula weld figure in this guide
- Tacky film stays on sliding parts and open gears
- Documented washout and zero oil separation (current formula)
- GC-LB certified in both formulations
Watch-outs
- Thickener changed between formulations — check the cartridge before mixing
- Maker documents disagree on dropping point (above 540 F vs above 586 F)
- Owner record skews automotive and agricultural, not mining
Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease, 14 oz: what owners report
Review roundups rank the tub sibling of this grease among the leading products in the class, on its stay-put film and load figures — see the automotive grease roundup.
The current-formula retailer record describes strong spray-off and washout resistance and a weld load over 400 kgf, matching the maker documents this guide prints — see the BTO Sports product page.
Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease, 14 oz: who should not buy
Skip it if your manual specifies a moly grease for pins — a generalist cartridge does not substitute for a solid-film specification. The Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic is the moly pick in this guide.
Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease, 14 oz: pair it with
Pair it with the LockNLube Grease Coupler from Safety essentials: the cartridge a fleet standardises on deserves a coupler that does not waste it on the outside of the fitting.
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Tip: write the thickener family on the gun barrel with a paint pen. When a cartridge changes formula, the note prevents an accidental mix. While you grease, work through our maintenance checklist.
Best for Pins, Bushings and Shock Loads: Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease, 1 lb
Best for Pins, Bushings and Shock Loads
Why the Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease, 1 lb is our pick
Pins and bushings fail by squeeze-out: the oil film is pushed aside and metal meets metal under shock. Valvoline built this grease for that failure — a full synthetic lithium complex carrying molybdenum disulfide, with a data sheet showing a 60 lb Timken load and a 315 kg weld point. It is the specialist the finder routes every shock-loaded pin to.
Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease, 1 lb key specs
- Part number: VV986 (Valvoline)
- Size: 1 lb jar
- NLGI grade: 2
- Thickener: lithium complex in synthetic base oil
- Solid additive: molybdenum disulfide (moly)
- Colour: gray
- Worked penetration: 275
- Dropping point: 500 F minimum
- Timken OK load: 60 lb
- Four-ball weld point: 315 kg
- Rust test (D1743): Pass
- Certifications: NLGI GC/LB; Mack GC-G
Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease, 1 lb: fits and best for
Best for excavator and loader pins, bushings, fifth wheel plates and U-joints — slow, sliding, shock-loaded contacts where a solid film earns its keep. The maker also recommends the line for wheel bearings, chassis and CV joints. See our tractor winch guide.
Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease, 1 lb pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Moly solid film for squeeze-out and shock loads
- Full synthetic base oil for a wide temperature span
- Highest Timken figure in this guide at 60 lb
- Maker documents the moly use case explicitly
Watch-outs
- Keep moly out of high-speed rolling bearings
- Jar format suits hand-packing better than high-volume guns
- Gray moly film makes fresh-grease checks less visual than red greases
Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease, 1 lb: what owners report
Owners reviewing the mineral sibling cartridge of this moly line praise long service on ball joints, axles and bearing repacks, with repeat purchases the dominant theme — see the Advance Auto Parts owner reviews.
An independent Valvoline grease reference notes the synthetic moly line is favoured for chassis lubrication for its waterproof qualities and heavy-duty positioning — see the Cars Simplified grease reference.
Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease, 1 lb: who should not buy
Skip it if your work is mostly high-speed bearings — moly solids are the wrong tool there, and this guide routes that work elsewhere. The alternative this guide pairs with bearing work is Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky for standard loads.
Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease, 1 lb: pair it with
Pair it with the LockNLube pistol grip grease gun from Safety essentials for pin work: a locking coupler and a two-hand gun make purge-until-fresh practical on a full pin circuit.
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Tip: on pins, purge until fresh gray grease appears at the seal, then wipe the purge away — leaving it invites grit. See our essential accessories guide.
Best for Wet and Washout Work: Mobilgrease XHP 222
Best for Wet and Washout Work
Why the Mobilgrease XHP 222 is our pick
XHP 222 is the water specialist’s grease: ExxonMobil publishes a 5 percent washout loss and a 10 percent spray-off loss for it, certifies the family to the NLGI water-resistance grade, and positions it for water contamination and shock loading. If your machines are pressure-washed or run in slurry, those two figures are the review.
Mobilgrease XHP 222 key specs
- Family: Mobilgrease XHP 220 series (ExxonMobil)
- NLGI grade: 2
- Thickener: lithium complex
- Colour: dark blue
- Penetration (60X): 280 (0.1 mm)
- Dropping point: 290 C (554 F)
- Four-ball weld point: 315 kgf
- Four-ball load wear index: 46.7 kgf
- Four-ball wear scar: 0.5 mm
- Timken OK load: 40 lb
- Water washout: 5 percent loss at 79 C
- Water spray-off: 10 percent loss
- Base oil viscosity: 220 cSt at 40 C
- Standards: DIN 51825 KP2N-20; NLGI HPM+WR
Mobilgrease XHP 222: fits and best for
Best for chassis components, farm equipment and industrial points that live wet — wash bays, feedlots, quarries and marine-adjacent work. Softer family grades serve centralised systems; this guide covers the #2 grade. See our pickup winch guide.
Mobilgrease XHP 222 pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Documented washout and spray-off figures, both low
- NLGI water-resistance certification for the family
- High dropping point at 290 C
- Sticky formulation the maker says stays in application longer
Watch-outs
- No verified Amazon listing — distributor purchase is the norm
- Owner coverage thinner than for the Lucas picks
- A moly sibling (222 Special) exists; do not confuse the two when ordering
Mobilgrease XHP 222: what owners report
Distributor catalogue coverage repeats the maker positioning for hostile aqueous environments and extended relubrication, the two claims this guide relies on — see the EC Lubes grease catalogue.
The European cartridge record confirms the 400 g cartridge format, NLGI class 2 and the DIN KP2N designation behind the spec list — see the AUTODOC cartridge record.
Mobilgrease XHP 222: who should not buy
Skip it if you need a cartridge on a truck shelf tonight — distributor lead time is part of this pick’s cost. The verified alternative this guide pairs with it is Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky, whose current formula also documents strong washout resistance.
Mobilgrease XHP 222: pair it with
Pair it with the LockNLube Grease Coupler from Safety essentials: wet fittings are where couplers slip and waste grease.
No verified Amazon listing for this grease — alternative: Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease, the verified pick this guide pairs with it.
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Tip: after pressure washing, re-grease wet points the same day — washout figures assume grease was there to start with. See our degreaser guide for the wash itself.
Best for Long-Service Bearings: Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty Grease, 14.5 oz
Best for Long-Service Bearings
Why the Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty Grease, 14.5 oz is our pick
X-Tra is the bearing specialist: a polyurea grease Lucas certifies to the NLGI high-performance standard, with the lowest documented washout here (0.2 percent) and the smallest wear scar (0.41 mm). Lucas positions it for high-speed and electric motor bearings and for service points reached infrequently — the combination long-interval fleets need.
Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty Grease, 14.5 oz key specs
- Part number: 10301 (Lucas Oil)
- Size: 14.5 oz cartridge
- NLGI grade: 2
- Thickener: polyurea
- Colour: green
- Worked penetration: 285 dmm
- Dropping point: 562 F minimum (current data sheet)
- Water washout: 0.2 percent loss
- Four-ball wear scar: 0.41 mm
- Four-ball EP weld point: 400 kgf
- Oil separation: under 1.0 percent
- Base oil viscosity: 122 cSt at 40 C
- Certifications: NLGI GC-LB; NLGI HPM Core +HL +LT
Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty Grease, 14.5 oz: fits and best for
Best for wheel and hub bearings on long service intervals, electric motor and high-speed bearings across plant and fleet. Lucas also recommends it for steel mills, offroad equipment and fleet work. See our winch battery guide.
Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty Grease, 14.5 oz pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Lowest documented washout in this guide at 0.2 percent
- Smallest documented wear scar at 0.41 mm
- NLGI HPM high-performance certification
- Maker-designed for infrequent-service points
Watch-outs
- No verified Amazon listing — distributor and retailer purchase
- Polyurea: the strictest no-mixing rule in this guide
- Older maker sheets list different typicals; buy on the current sheet
Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty Grease, 14.5 oz: what owners report
The retailer record for the 14.5 oz cartridge confirms the maker number, size and heavy-duty positioning behind this review — see the Stine Home + Yard product record.
The Lucas distributor listing confirms the full size matrix for the line, from the 14.5 oz cartridge to the 35 lb pail used by fleets — see the Lentus distributor listing.
Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty Grease, 14.5 oz: who should not buy
Skip it if your points currently run lithium complex and nobody will purge them — a polyurea top-up over lithium is how bearings get starved. Where no purge is possible, the verified alternative this guide pairs here is Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic for pin work, or standardise on one family first.
Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty Grease, 14.5 oz: pair it with
Pair it with the PIG oil-only pads from Safety essentials: long-service points get opened rarely, and the old purge grease needs catching when they are.
No verified Amazon listing for this grease — alternative: Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic Grease, the verified pick this guide pairs with it.
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Tip: tag every point you convert to polyurea with the date and family. Future-you with a lithium cartridge will thank present-you. See our how-to guides.
Best for Fifth Wheels, Bucket Pins and Chassis: Mobil Delvac Xtreme Grease
Best for Fifth Wheels, Bucket Pins and Chassis
Why the Mobil Delvac Xtreme Grease is our pick
Delvac Xtreme is the grease ExxonMobil aims by name at this guide’s core work: heavy-duty trucks, especially hinge and bucket pins, U-joints and fifth wheels, plus mining and construction equipment. Its thick 320 cSt base oil is the stay-in-place story, and the family offers 3 percent moly variants for manuals that require a solid additive.
Mobil Delvac Xtreme Grease key specs
- NLGI grade: 2
- Thickener: lithium complex (proprietary high-temperature system)
- Colour: orange
- Penetration (60X): 280 (0.1 mm)
- Dropping point: 260 C (500 F)
- Water washout: 6 percent loss at 79 C
- Four-ball EP weld point: 250 kgf
- Four-ball wear scar: 0.5 mm
- Base oil viscosity: 320 cSt at 40 C
- Copper strip corrosion: 1A
- Rust prevention (D1743): Pass
- Maker applications: hinge and bucket pins, U-joints, fifth wheels, mining and construction equipment
Mobil Delvac Xtreme Grease: fits and best for
Best for the truck-and-loader circuit: fifth wheel plates, bucket and hinge pins, U-joints and chassis points on machines that work in weather. The maker also lists highly loaded plain and antifriction industrial bearings. See our diesel engine comparison and truck winch guide for the trucks themselves.
Mobil Delvac Xtreme Grease pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Maker application list matches this guide’s core jobs exactly
- Thickest base oil in this guide at 320 cSt
- Moly variants exist inside the same family
- Rust and corrosion protection documented
Watch-outs
- Lowest weld point in this guide at 250 kgf
- No verified Amazon listing — fleet and distributor channels
- Washout figure mid-pack at 6 percent
Mobil Delvac Xtreme Grease: what owners report
Grease roundups carry the Amazon 10-pack listing of this grease among the leading tubes, evidence of fleet-scale buying — see the grease tube roundup.
The Mobil retail record repeats the maker positioning for hinge and bucket pins, U-joints and fifth wheels in contractor and mining service — see the Summit Racing Mobil listing.
Mobil Delvac Xtreme Grease: who should not buy
Skip it if your pins take genuine shock loading and your manual asks for moly — the base grease carries no solid additive. The verified alternative this guide pairs with it is Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic, or ask your distributor for the family’s Moly 2 variant.
Mobil Delvac Xtreme Grease: pair it with
Pair it with the LockNLube pistol grip grease gun from Safety essentials: a fifth wheel and pin circuit is a two-handed job.
No verified Amazon listing for this grease — alternative: Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic Grease, the verified pick this guide pairs with it.
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Tip: grease the fifth wheel plate across its full face before coupling, not after — the trailer’s weight is what spreads it. See our portable winch guide.
Spec comparison: all five greases side by side
| Spec | Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky | Valvoline Moly Synthetic | Mobilgrease XHP 222 | Lucas X-Tra HD | Mobil Delvac Xtreme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thickener | Calcium sulfonate (current) | Lithium complex + moly | Lithium complex | Polyurea | Lithium complex |
| NLGI grade | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Dropping point | Above 540 F (maker documents differ) | 500 F minimum | 290 C (554 F) | 562 F minimum | 260 C (500 F) |
| Four-ball weld point | 500 kgf (current formula) | 315 kg | 315 kgf | 400 kgf | 250 kgf |
| Four-ball wear scar | 0.49 mm | Not published | 0.5 mm | 0.41 mm | 0.5 mm |
| Timken OK load | Not published | 60 lb | 40 lb | Not published | Not published |
| Water washout | 2.8 percent loss | Not published | 5 percent loss | 0.2 percent loss | 6 percent loss |
| Base oil viscosity at 40 C | 120 cSt | Not published | 220 cSt | 122 cSt | 320 cSt |
| Colour | Bright red | Gray | Dark blue | Green | Orange |
| Certification headline | NLGI GC-LB | NLGI GC/LB; Mack GC-G | NLGI HPM+WR; DIN KP2N-20 | NLGI GC-LB; HPM Core +HL +LT | Maker fleet specification |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | No verified listing — alternative: Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease | No verified listing — alternative: Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic Grease | No verified listing — alternative: Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic Grease |
Read the table by your constraint: thickener first, then the test figure your job punishes most.
How to grease heavy equipment
Work the machine’s own lube chart, in its order, parked, lowered and locked out. Wipe every Zerk before the coupler goes on — grit pushed in with fresh grease is a lapping compound you paid for. Pump slowly and watch the seal: the endpoint is fresh grease just appearing, or the manual’s shot count where seals are blind. Purge colour is your compatibility witness: when changing products, pump until the colour coming out matches the cartridge going in.
Record what you did. A grease log with date, product and thickener family per machine prevents the two expensive errors — a missed interval and a mixed point. The routine pairs with our maintenance checklist, winch installation guide and degreaser guide: degrease first, grease after, never the reverse.
Disposal follows used-oil logic: the US EPA used-oil guidance tells changers to collect oily waste in leak-proof containers and keep it out of drains and ground. Purged grease, spent cartridges and greasy pads go out under local rules. Machines stored outside after service benefit from the same protection logic as our winch cover guide.
Safety essentials
Safety rules
- Treat a grease gun as a high-pressure tool, because it is one. The maker safety data sheet for Mobil Delvac Xtreme warns that high-pressure injection under skin may cause serious damage — an injection injury is a surgical emergency, not a workshop scratch.
- Check for pinhole leaks with a piece of cardboard, never with your hand, and never hold a coupler against a fitting with your fingers while pumping.
- Do not over-grease: pressure blows seals, and a blown seal trades a protected bearing for an open door to grit. Pump to the manual’s endpoint, not to resistance.
- Never mix thickener families in a point without a purge. Incompatible greases can soften, bleed and starve the contact they were meant to protect.
- Support the machine before working under it: boom and bucket down, wheels chocked, engine off, key out. No grease point is worth a crush injury.
- Collect purge grease and spent cartridges as oily waste, keep them out of drains and ground, and wash hands after the job — used grease carries the metals it protected against.
Three accessories complete the setup, each with a verified listing. The LockNLube Grease Coupler (GC81011) locks onto Zerk fittings with four hardened spring steel jaws, is rated by its maker to 10,000 PSI, and is rebuildable.
The LockNLube Professional Dual-Mode Pistol Grip Grease Gun (LNL353) includes that coupler, a 20-inch hose and an in-line swivel, and takes the standard 14 oz tube.
PIG Oil-Only Absorbent Mat Pads (MAT454) catch purge grease and drips at the service pad without soaking up water. Our accessories guide covers the recovery side of the kit.
Troubleshooting greasing problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Pin still clunks after greasing | Grease never reached the loaded zone, or the point starved too long | Work the joint through its travel while pumping slowly; if the clunk persists, the pin or bushing is worn beyond what grease can cure |
| Fresh grease will not enter a fitting | Hardened old grease or a seized check ball in the Zerk | Warm the point, work the joint, replace the fitting if it still refuses — never force it with maximum gun pressure |
| Seals weeping or blown after service | Over-greasing against a blind seal | Relieve pressure, clean the seal lip, and return to the manual’s shot count; a damaged seal needs replacement, not more grease |
| Grease in the point turned thin or runny | Thickener families were mixed without a purge | Purge the point fully with the new grease until consistency and colour stabilise; shorten the next interval and inspect |
| Bearing runs hot after a grease change | Overfilled housing, or moly grease used in a high-speed bearing | Remove excess to the maker fill level; if a moly product went in, purge and refill with the bearing pick from the finder |
| Coupler pops off or leaks at the fitting | Worn coupler jaws or a damaged Zerk face | Replace the fitting first; if leaks continue, rebuild or replace the coupler (the LockNLube in Safety is rebuildable) |
Who should NOT buy these greases
Anyone whose manual specifies a different grade or a named specification. All five picks are NLGI #2, and a manual that calls for #1, #0, a food-grade H1 grease or a named OEM specification outranks this entire guide. The same discipline applies to sizing in our winch sizing guide.
Shops that will not purge when switching thickeners. If your crew tops up whatever is in the gun, standardise on one family first and skip the polyurea pick. A mixed point fails quietly and bills you later.
High-speed bearing work shopping on weld point alone. The strongest weld figure here belongs to a tacky generalist, not a bearing grease. Bearings want the wear scar, certification and base oil rows of the spec table.
Buyers who need a cartridge tonight and pick a distributor grease. XHP 222, Delvac Xtreme and X-Tra are planned purchases. If the machine must run tomorrow, the two verified listings here are the honest route.
Final verdict
Best Overall — Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease, 14 oz: Check its price.
Best for Pins, Bushings and Shock Loads — Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease, 1 lb: Check its price.
Best for Wet and Washout Work — Mobilgrease XHP 222: no verified Amazon listing — alternative: Lucas Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease — check its price.
Best for Long-Service Bearings — Lucas X-Tra Heavy Duty Grease, 14.5 oz: no verified Amazon listing — alternative: Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic Grease — check its price.
Best for Fifth Wheels, Bucket Pins and Chassis — Mobil Delvac Xtreme Grease: no verified Amazon listing — alternative: Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic Grease — check its price.
FAQ
What grease should I use for excavator pins and bushings?
A moly-fortified NLGI #2 is the documented answer for slow, shock-loaded sliding contacts: this guide’s pick is the Valvoline Moly-Fortified Full Synthetic, with a 60 lb Timken load and a 315 kg weld point on its maker sheet. Purge until fresh grease appears at the seal; never mix thickener families in the point.
Can I mix different grease thickeners in the same fitting?
Not safely. Lithium complex, polyurea and calcium sulfonate greases can soften or bleed when mixed, starving the contact. Valvoline’s own guidance warns against mixing. When you change families, purge the point by pumping the new grease through until what comes out matches what goes in, in colour and consistency.
What does NLGI #2 mean for heavy equipment?
It is a consistency grade: #2 is the firm texture most heavy equipment manuals specify for pins, chassis and bearings. All five greases here are NLGI #2, but they differ in thickener, additives and test figures — which is why grade alone never settles a grease choice.
Is moly grease good for wheel bearings?
Generally no for high-speed rolling bearings. Moly solids protect sliding, shock-loaded contacts like pins and fifth wheels, but bearing makers route high-speed work to clean lithium complex or polyurea greases. This guide’s bearing picks are Lucas X-Tra for long service and Red ’N’ Tacky for standard fleet work.
How often should heavy equipment be greased?
Follow the machine’s lube chart: pin and bushing intervals on working equipment are commonly daily to every few days in harsh service, while sealed bearings follow hour-based intervals. Water, dust and shock loading all shorten the real interval. When in doubt, grease to the chart, not to the noise.
What is a four-ball weld point, and should it decide my grease?
It is the load at which four test balls weld together under the grease — a seizure-resistance ceiling, not a working load. It matters for shock-loaded pins, but weigh it with wear scar, Timken load, washout and dropping point, as the spec comparison here does.
Why did Lucas change the Red ’N’ Tacky formula?
Lucas states the new calcium-sulfonate formulation meets or exceeds the old lithium-complex version, keeping NLGI #2 consistency and GC-LB certification while raising the weld point from 400 to 500 kgf and cutting oil separation to zero. The practical catch is compatibility: treat a formula change like a thickener change and purge.
What grease is best for a fifth wheel plate?
A stay-put grease with shock-load protection: this guide routes standard fifth wheel work to Mobil Delvac Xtreme, which ExxonMobil names for fifth wheels, and shock-loaded plates to the Valvoline moly pick. Spread it across the full plate before coupling.
How do I know if a grease point took grease at all?
Watch the seal and the purge: fresh grease just appearing at the seal, in the new grease’s colour, is the positive sign. No movement, a coupler that pops off, or old hard grease at the fitting means the point refused — work the joint, warm the point, or replace the Zerk rather than forcing pressure.
Can I use one grease for my whole fleet?
Often yes for the chassis-and-pin circuit, if every manual accepts the same grade and thickener family — the case for standardising on the Red ’N’ Tacky pick here. Long-interval bearings and moly-specified pins still justify their specialists alongside the generalist.
Sources & changelog
Manufacturer and listing sources: Lucas X-Tra data sheet — Lucas Oil, Red ‘N’ Tacky formula change — Lucas Oil, Red ‘N’ Tacky data sheet — Lucas Oil, Valvoline Full Synthetic Moly bulletin, Valvoline Multi-Vehicle Moly bulletin, Mobilgrease XHP 222 — ExxonMobil, Mobil Delvac Xtreme Grease — ExxonMobil, Delvac Xtreme series data — Petroleum Service Company, LockNLube coupler spec sheet, US EPA used-oil guidance.
Owner and retailer sources (paraphrased in the reviews): Valvoline moly owner reviews — Advance Auto Parts, automotive grease roundup, grease tube roundup, Red ‘N’ Tacky retailer record — BTO Sports, X-Tra cartridge record — Stine Home + Yard, X-Tra distributor listing — Lentus, Mobilgrease catalogue — EC Lubes, Red ‘N’ Tacky Amazon listing record. Test figures are as the makers publish them; our affiliate disclosure explains how links in this guide work.
Changelog — October 18, 2026: guide first published.
By Leo, Founder, WinchInsider
Leo researches truck and shop gear from maker documents and owner reports. More about WinchInsider.
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