By “Farm Boy” Warren Coates
Most greases are composed of approximately 70% base oil, 25% thickener (soap), and 5% additives. Lithium-based greases dominate the market because they are cheap and easy to find—but cheaper isn’t always better! In the 1990s, some innovative Alberta farmers started blending calcium sulfonate oil additives into conventional grease. The result? —a superior, thixotropic calcium sulfonate grease. This is the heritage of ThixoSUM2 from Alberta-based PowerSUM. Thixotropic means it can return to its original state after mechanical stress, making it last longer under heat, pressure, and vibration.
Compared to conventional lithium grease, ThixoSUM2 resists water, won’t separate under pressure, and holds its form. It maintains better boundary lubrication and helps reduce wear in high-stress applications like on the rotor bearings (main and front rotor support), for example, on the ever-popular John Deere S690 combine and other great harvesting equipment.
Some nerdy stuff: the “ASTM D2596 – Four-Ball EP Weld Load test” is a standardized method used to evaluate the extreme pressure performance of lubricating greases, particularly their ability to protect metal surfaces under high-stress conditions. ThixoSUM2 stacks up better on this measure against greases that PowerSUM has evaluated.
Farm Boy Math – The big cost is not the tube of grease.
If we accept that the bearing assemblies can cost $1,000 each (including OEM part and installation labour) and that calcium sulfonate extends its life by even 50% then a $1,000 bearing assembly effectively costs $500, over a longer life vs. using standard lithium based grease products, resulting in a total savings of $1,000 for the two primary rotary bearings on a combine. And that’s just for one set of bearings. Add in the bearing assemblies for the straw chopper, auger, feeder, and cleaning fans, and then the savings grow with the use of a superior grease. Always confirm that the grease you use meets your manufacturer’s specifications.
Bottom line? ThixoSUM2 may cost more per tube, but it delivers real-world savings in labour, repairs, and downtime. In larger operations, that could mean tens of thousands in savings. And remember Downtime is not a Good Time—especially if it’s going to rain or hail!
