I have this interesting document: Lubricants and Hydraulic Fluids - what they do and why
This is from:
Kendall Refining Company
Division of Witco Chemical Corporation
Bradford, Penna 16701
"Lubrication Specialists Since 1881"
There is no copyright on it. All else it says is:
Printed in USA
Form No. 8417 Rev. 80
I think that mean it is the 1980 revision. That would make sense as it is from Kendall in the Witco era.
It was written by the late father of a long-time engineering cohort of mine. I had many a chat with him about chemical engineering for lubricants over the years. The kinds of chats engineers will have.
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Much of what I have by way of his papers is beyond what we'd chat about here. But, this document was written for fleet service folks, and is a pretty good read. The beginning is engine oils and what they need. Then, grades and viscosity, additives and then manufacturer's specifications. It then goes into Hydraulics and then Gears. ATFs are also covered. And, then finally, greases.
I think the grease section is somewhat outdated now as they go into several metallic soaps which I don't see much of these days. And, specialized greases for U-joints, water pumps, and such which are now covered by multipurpose greases (if we even get to grease such these days).
But, then, if one looks at the grease rack at their JD dealer, there are several types offered still. I'll have to read the tubes to see if any use a different metallic soap than Lithium. I am rather of the idea that everything is Lithium these days. All except for my 5 pound tub of Kendall S-825 wheel bearing grease left over from when I was a kid and our dealerships sold Kendall products. That is a fiber reinforced Sodium grease and surely stays put in tapered roller bearings.
Anyway, I think I shall slowly enter what is in this publication as a series of posts here in the FAQ. All titled The Kendall Diaries (dash and whatever the section is called).
The various charts might be a bit of a sticky wicket to post. I'll have to think about that. Maybe give the old wicket a shot of grease!
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Stan