SKF LGMT 3 General Purpose Stiff Bearing Grease

The stiffer general purpose grease for big bearings and vertical shafts

SKF LGMT 3 shares its lithium soap and mineral oil formulation with the better known LGMT 2, but it is a grade stiffer: NLGI class 3, amber in colour, with a heavier base oil. SKF positions it as a premium general purpose grease for industrial applications that call for a stiff grease, with excellent rust inhibiting properties and high oxidation stability inside its recommended temperature range.

A stiffer grease stays where it is put. That matters where gravity, centrifugal force or a rotating outer ring would otherwise slump or throw a softer grease out of the bearing. The leaflet lists bearings with a shaft size above 100 mm, outer ring rotation, vertical shaft applications, continuous high ambient temperatures above 35 C, propeller shafts, agricultural equipment and large electric motors.

Technical specifications

Ordering codes and refills

SKF lists the 420 ml cartridge as LGMT 3/0.4, then LGMT 3/0.5 (0.5 kg can), LGMT 3/1, LGMT 3/5, LGMT 3/18, LGMT 3/50 and LGMT 3/180. For the electro-mechanical dispensers there are refills of 380 ml: LGMT 3/MR380B for the TLMR 101 series, supplied with a battery, and LGMT 3/MR380 for the TLMR 201 series. Our listing of the SKF TLMR automatic lubricant dispenser covers the hardware.

LGMT 3 or LGMT 2: how to decide

Choose by consistency and temperature rather than by habit. The difference between the two greases shows in the leaflets: LGMT 3 has a penetration of 220 to 250 against 265 to 295 for LGMT 2, a higher base oil viscosity at 40 C, and a copper corrosion and R0F rating given at 130 C instead of 110 and 100 C. The overall operating range of -30 to +120 C is the same. Where a machine builder specifies a consistency class, follow it. For automatic lubricators, check that the dispenser is rated for NLGI 3 before filling it with a stiff grease.

Before ordering, confirm bearing size and orientation, the operating temperature and the pack designation. Typical values are quoted in the leaflet and are not guarantees. More lubrication items are grouped under Electric Motors.

Relubrication quantity and interval depend on bearing size, speed and temperature, and SKF offers its LubeSelect tool (skf.com/lubeselect) for grease choice and relubrication calculation. Over-greasing raises bearing temperature, particularly in large motors where the used grease has no free path out, so follow the machine builder quantity. Keep containers closed and clean, because dirt in a new tub is dirt in a new bearing, and respect the 5 year shelf life printed in the leaflet.

Key properties in practice

• Stiffer consistency (NLGI 3): resists slumping and being thrown out of bearings with outer ring rotation or vertical shafts.
• Good mechanical stability: the 100 000-stroke penetration and roll stability results show the grease does not soften excessively under working.
• Corrosion protection: an Emcor rating of 0-0 indicates strong rust inhibition, valuable where equipment stands idle or meets moisture.
• Water resistance: a DIN 51 807/1 rating of 1 max. means the grease holds up to occasional water contact.
• Heavier base oil: 125 mm²/s at 40 °C supports film thickness in larger, slower or warmer bearings.

Why stiff grease suits hot climates

Grease softens as temperature rises. In Oman and the GCC, motors, fans and pumps often run in ambient temperatures well above 35 °C, which is exactly the condition SKF lists for LGMT 3. A grade 3 grease starts stiffer, so at operating temperature it is less likely to run out of the housing or leak past seals than a grade 2 grease. That said, the upper limit of the recommended operating range still applies; for bearings that run continuously near or above that limit, a high-temperature grease is the better choice.

Relubrication guidance

Relubrication intervals depend on bearing type, size, speed, temperature and contamination. SKF provides calculation methods and its online tools to estimate the interval and quantity. As general practice:

• Shorten intervals as operating temperature rises; high heat accelerates oil loss and oxidation.
• Shorten them further in dusty and sandy environments, where fresh grease also helps purge contaminants from the seals.
• Avoid over-greasing, which raises churning and temperature, especially in electric motor bearings.
• Clean grease nipples before applying the gun to avoid pushing sand into the bearing.
• Do not mix greases with different thickeners without checking compatibility; when changing products, purge the old grease where possible.

Applications in the region

Typical uses include large electric motor bearings in water and wastewater pumping stations, fan and blower bearings in cooling towers and HVAC plants, vertical pump motors, conveyor pulleys in cement and mining operations, and agricultural equipment on farms. The product is also suitable for automatic single-point lubricators where SKF lists it as a fill option.

Storage and handling

Store containers closed, upright and out of direct sunlight, ideally in a cool, dry store. High storage temperatures can cause some oil separation in the container; stir lightly before use if a thin oil layer appears on the surface of bulk packs. Use clean tools and dedicated grease guns labelled for the product to avoid cross-contamination.

What to include in an RFQ

List the pack sizes needed (cartridges, cans or drums, using the SKF designations shown above), quantity of each, and whether lubricators or grease guns are required. If you are replacing another product, tell us the current grease so compatibility can be checked.

Documents and quotation

The SKF product data sheet is attached to this page. Tell us the designation with pack size, such as LGMT 3/18, the quantity and your delivery location, and we will prepare a quotation.