Is EP 90 the same/ similar as 80w 90?

[bobk]

The EP 90 is just a mono oil "the same thickness in winter as summer" the slightly more import thing is to check the manual to see if it's GL4 or GL5

Which one would we want ?

 

[midlandslubricants]

Which one would we want ?

As a rule of thumb.....(so there are some exceptions) the GL5 is better for higher pressure usage so for Front / rear axles and differentials, as it contains more additives than GL4

 

[76masseyman]

GL4 EP, GL5 HD EP.

GL4 90 or 80w/90 will be fine in a topper gearbox, GL5 in more severe conditions like power harrow gearboxes. A GL5 contains probably 25% EP additive to protect the gears.

If its asking for SAE 90, an SAE 80w/90 will be fine as it is a 90 at operating temperature, so just giving a wider temperature range to work from. The 80 side will benefit you when putting the machine in gear when it’s cold.

Most topper gearboxes are pretty basic bevel gears to be honest.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

The EP 90 is just a mono oil "the same thickness in winter as summer" the slightly more import thing is to check the manual to see if it's GL4 or GL5

The manual just said EP90. My 80w90 is GL5 and the EP90's I've looked at are GL4 which is one of the reasons for my confusion.
I have tried googling but oil grades seem like dark arts, lots of opinions but no real definitive guides.

 

[76masseyman]

The manual just said EP90. My 80w90 is GL5 and the EP90's I've looked at are GL4 which is one of the reasons for my confusion.
I have tried googling but oil grades seem like dark arts, lots of opinions but no real definitive guides.

GL5 will be fine in a topper gearbox, it’ll help with any shock loading !
GL4 for lighter duty gears like car / van / truck gearboxes.

 

[midlandslubricants]

The manual just said EP90. My 80w90 is GL5 and the EP90's I've looked at are GL4 which is one of the reasons for my confusion.
I have tried googling but oil grades seem like dark arts, lots of opinions but no real definitive guides.

EP90 GL5 and 80w/90 GL5 are fairly similar.
They do differ from SAE 90 and GL4...they (the GL5) have more additives which aid in bonding to lubricate metal to metal contact. So ideal for Diffs, front & rear axles etc.

 

[midlandslubricants]

GL5 will be fine in a topper gearbox, it’ll help with any shock loading !
GL4 for lighter duty gears like car / van / truck gearboxes.

Yep - Spot on.....I didn't know what a topper gearbox was sorry......but the logic above is bang on.

 

[czechmate]

I might be weird but I rather like the smell.

That’s strange. I really, quite particularly dislike the smell of gear oil.

 

[Lofty1984]

I might be weird but I rather like the smell.

Your def weird I dropped the front hub oils on my tractor a few weeks ago stupidly undid the drain plug In the lowest position for some reason there was back pressure in it and I got covered in oil as I undid it.. washed my clothes promptly received a massive bollocking from the wife for making the machine smell and even though my T-shirt was washed soaked boil washed etc I had to chuck it out in the end it still stank

 

[76masseyman]

That’s strange. I really, quite particularly dislike the smell of gear oil.

Me too, and hydraulic oil. It’s the sulphur in gear oil, like rotten egg.