SKF LGMT 2 General Purpose Industrial Bearing Grease

A red-brown lithium grease for everyday bearing duty

SKF LGMT 2 is a mineral oil based grease thickened with lithium soap. SKF describes it as a premium quality, general purpose industrial bearing grease with excellent thermal stability inside its operating temperature range. It combines excellent oxidation stability, good mechanical stability and excellent water resistance with rust inhibiting properties, which is why it is the grease many maintenance stores hold as the default for ordinary rolling bearings.

The SKF leaflet lists agricultural equipment, conveyors, small electric motors and industrial fans as typical applications. In a plant these translate into the long list of lightly to moderately loaded ball bearings on fans, small motors, conveyor idlers and general auxiliary machines where a single, widely available grease keeps stock simple.

Technical specifications

Pack sizes and what the designation means

The part after the slash is the pack size, and it is part of the order code. SKF lists LGMT 2/0.035 (35 g tube), LGMT 2/0.2 (200 g tube), LGMT 2/0.4 (420 ml cartridge), LGMT 2/1 (1 kg can), LGMT 2/5 (5 kg can), LGMT 2/18 (18 kg pail), LGMT 2/50 (50 kg drum) and LGMT 2/180 (180 kg drum). All share the technical data above; only the container differs. Cartridges fit standard grease guns, while pails and drums suit filling stations and larger plants.

Selecting LGMT 2 and what to confirm before ordering

LGMT 2 is a sound choice when bearing temperature stays well inside the -30 to +120 C range and loads are normal. When temperatures, loads or speeds are outside that window, SKF lists other greases in its range, for example the high temperature polyurea grease LGHP 2 or the high load lithium complex grease LGWA 2, and offers its LubeSelect tool for grease choice and relubrication intervals. Before ordering, confirm the bearing operating temperature, the pack designation you need and whether the machine manufacturer has specified a particular grease. Different thickener types are not always compatible, so clean the housing or check compatibility when changing grease type. Values in the data sheet are typical values, not guarantees.

For automatic relubrication of the same application, see the SKF TLSD single point lubricator; further lubrication products are listed under Electric Motors.

Using LGMT 2 in hot, dusty and humid conditions

Oman’s climate combines high summer ambient temperatures, airborne sand and dust and, near the coast, humid salt-laden air. LGMT 2 suits many bearings in this environment, provided the bearing itself stays within the -30 to +120 °C operating range. A few practical points help the grease reach its expected life:

• Temperature margin: the bearing temperature is higher than the surrounding air. Measure it with a thermometer or infrared gun on the housing rather than assuming it from the weather. Bearings running near the upper end of the range need shorter relubrication intervals; persistently hot bearings may call for a higher temperature grease.
• Dust and sand: contamination is a major cause of early bearing failure. Clean the grease nipple and surrounding area before applying grease, use sealed or shielded bearings where possible, and keep cartridges and pails closed.
• Moisture: the excellent water resistance and rust inhibition listed by SKF help in humid coastal sites and wash-down areas, but water ingress still shortens grease life, so check seals regularly.
• Storage: keep stock in a cool, dry, shaded store and use the oldest packs first within the 5-year shelf life.

Typical equipment in the region

Common uses for a general purpose NLGI 2 lithium grease in Oman and the GCC include electric motor bearings on pumps and fans, conveyor idlers and pulleys in quarries and cement plants, air handling units and cooling tower fans in buildings, agricultural equipment such as irrigation pumps, and general plant machinery in food, packaging and manufacturing facilities.

Good relubrication practice

1. Follow the machine manufacturer’s interval and quantity, or calculate them with SKF’s tools.
2. Wipe the nipple clean, then apply grease slowly while the machine runs where it is safe to do so.
3. Avoid over-greasing, which raises operating temperature through churning, especially in high-speed motor bearings.
4. Where housings have a drain plug, open it during greasing so old grease can escape.
5. Do not mix greases of different thickener types without checking compatibility.
6. Record the date and quantity to build a reliable lubrication history.

Choosing the right pack size

The 420 ml cartridge suits technicians with grease guns doing routes around a plant. The 1 kg and 5 kg cans work well for workshops and manual packing of bearings during overhaul. The 18 kg pail, 50 kg drum and 180 kg drum are typically used with grease pumps, filling stations or centralised lubrication systems in larger facilities.

What to include in your RFQ

• Full designation with pack size, for example LGMT 2/18.
• Quantity of each pack size and the delivery location.
• Whether accessories such as grease guns or single point lubricators are needed.
• Any specification from the machine manufacturer that the grease must meet.

Documents and quotation

The SKF product data sheet is attached on this page. Send us the pack designation (for example LGMT 2/1), the quantity and the delivery point in Oman or the GCC, and we will return a quotation.