Yellow grease offers significant advantages over other grease types for certain applications.
This vibrant yellow lubricant is especially suited to components such as bearings in challenging operating environments, with the sulphur it contains providing special anti-wear properties.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the composition and characteristics of yellow grease, and discuss some of its common applications.
Composition and special properties of yellow grease
Yellow grease’s formulation typically includes a high-quality mineral or synthetic base oil. This is combined with calcium sulfonate or lithium complex thickeners, as well as the sulphur-containing extreme pressure additives.
This composition gives yellow grease high resistance to water washout, salt spray and chemical contamination.
The temperature range for yellow grease applications typically spans from -50 to +280 ºC, providing it with the versatility to be effective in a range of environments.
Its distinctive yellow colour acts as a visual identifier, helping technicians to confirm that the correct lubricant has been applied.
Yellow grease for marine and coastal applications
Yellow grease is the lubricant of choice for numerous critical applications in marine environments.
Due to yellow grease’s excellent anti-corrosion benefits, boat trailer wheel bearings, marine winches and deck equipment can operate reliably, even when frequently exposed to saltwater.
Commercial fishing vessels rely on yellow grease for their winch systems, steering gear and various deck machinery, which must function despite constant exposure to corrosive sea spray.
Yellow grease for heavy equipment applications
Yellow grease manufactured by brands such as Fuchs and Mobil is used to lubricate construction and mining equipment operating in wet or corrosive environments.
The product provides excavator pins and bushings, bulldozer articulation points and wheel loader pivots with proper lubrication even when submerged in mud or exposed to caustic materials. There are also extreme pressure additives in yellow grease to prevent metal-to-metal contact under the heavy loads typical in these applications.
Yellow grease for agricultural equipment uses
Farmers and agricultural equipment operators use yellow grease to lubricate irrigation pump bearings, hay baler mechanisms, and harvester equipment components, which benefits from its water-resistance.
The sulphur compounds provide essential protection for heavily loaded mechanical components, while the resistance to washout ensures that lubrication remains effective even during operation in wet field conditions or during cleaning.
Other applications of yellow grease
Applications of yellow grease aren’t restricted to those outlined above. It can also be used in sectors such as the water treatment and manufacturing sectors, for heavy equipment exposed to moisture or chemicals.
