Effectiveness/ quality of chain spray on lubricants.

[Pilatus]

Do you think chain lubricants vary?
Which ones do you use for lubricating fast moving chains on combines and balers where there is a lot of dust and heat?

 

[Lincs Lass]

Seem to remember the stuff we had for the tatty harvester was graphite spray ,like motor bike chain stuff that doesn't fling and splatter

 

[Davey]

Yes very much so, some are no better than a starting point for home made grinding paste, others just fling off and make a mess of everything else around it.

I've always had good results with Wurth dry chain lube but I'm sure there are plenty of other good ones out there

Also should be noted even the good ones don't work well if you don't follow the instructions

 

[2wheels]

Seem to remember the stuff we had for the tatty harvester was graphite spray ,like motor bike chain stuff that doesn't fling and splatter

on the motorbike i just use gear oil 70/140 or chainsaw chain oil.

 

[Courier]

Chain saw chain oil and hope for the best

 

[Davey]

on the motorbike i just use gear oil 70/140 or chainsaw chain oil.

You do understand why you have to refill the chain oil at the same time as the fuel on a chain saw?

May as well just dribble it down the road for as much use as it will be doing your bike chain.

That said in that situation cleanliness is more important as modern motorbike chains are basically sealed units so need very little lubrication, more to stop surface rust.

 

[2wheels]

You do understand why you have to refill the chain oil at the same time as the fuel on a chain saw?

May as well just dribble it down the road for as much use as it will be doing your bike chain.

That said in that situation cleanliness is more important as modern motorbike chains are basically sealed units so need very little lubrication, more to stop surface rust.

your last sentence sums it up perfectly.

 

[deleted user 837354]

That chap 'Project farm' might have an interesting test of chain oils on youtube.

All I have learned about oils and greases and the like over the years is: 'it's complicated'.

 

[Courier]

Didn't realize we were talking about motorbikes - Chainsaw chain oil gets rubbed off with the saw chips and in the cutting groove which is why it needs replenishing regularly, but the no-fling properties do help between applications in an Ag situation .

 

[Pilatus]

Any up dates to this thread appreciated .
Have profi ever done a comparison test of chain oil sprays?

 

[Robt]

Look at off-road motorbikes. They run in mud and sand. They use chain wax. Hard to explain but very very good and doesn’t fling. On a combine is will run hot and dusty. Oil alone will work but not best. Again, I’d use chain wax.
lots of examples https://www.silkolene.com/motorcycle/chain-lubes/

 

[B'o'B]

I use a PTFE dry lubricant spray. Used various brands over the years. It seems to do a good enough job and doesn’t hold onto the dust.
Last combine was 18 years old and was still had some of its original chains fitted.

 

[Henery]

Bar oil will stay on longer than most, always used on Combine… on my motorcycle it’s the cheapest way to lube the rollers where they contact the sprockets and protect the chain from rust…. Needs an occasional clean to prevent build up of abrasive gunk….
last bike chain was wrecked by chain wax…. Good rust protection but also need to lube the point where link cheek pieces meet…..
Just use chain saw bar oil now…. Cheap as chips … best solution!

 

[steveR]

I always use bike chain lube for the baler drive chains as it holds on better than anything else.

On my bikes I run a constant drip feed device which gives a huge lifespan to the chains. I bought a high capacity one for a baler, but kept it for a bike instead... I use a mix of chainsaw and EP80...

 

[mf7480]

I get on really well with the Cobo aerosol chain lube. Very sticky, stays on well, comes out nice and fast and the can empties 100%

 

[Will 1594]

2 little elevator chains get nothing , auger chain on header get chain oil 2 or 3 times a day , unloader chain same ,
just put new elevator chains on every year , dust and shite just drys them out so dont bother now ,

 

[JeepJeep]

Chain Saw Bar Lube or Used Engine Oil ATF Mix.

 

[milkloss]

I use engine oil on the forager. Chain oil is pointless imo. Spray cans seem little better but engine oil twice a day and they stay nice and gooey.

 

[Hjwise]

2 little elevator chains get nothing , auger chain on header get chain oil 2 or 3 times a day , unloader chain same ,
just put new elevator chains on every year , dust and shite just drys them out so dont bother now ,

Are you being serious or am I missing the irony?

 

[Scrambler]

This petty much covers it.
I have a dirt bike with an x ring chain that just gets sprayed with GT85 to stop any corrosion after washing. These chains last incredibly well with virtually no maintenance. It’s a shame they aren’t available in sizes to fit ag machines, but the price would probably be frightening!
I can renew all the chains on our combine for less than £200 (a couple of years ago) and don’t apply any lube to them, and they are lasting fine.
If you aren’t going to thoroughly clean chains before applying a chain lube you’re just creating a grinding paste.
I can see how a constant drip feed of oil could be effective by flinging off with the dirt, but what a mess!