How Does Whitmore Caliber 3M vs Caliber 5M Differ for Mining Equipment?

Whitmore Caliber 3M and Caliber 5M are lithium complex extreme pressure greases designed primarily for draglines, shovels, drills, and earthmoving rolling stock. The key difference is MoS2 concentration: Caliber 3M contains 3% molybdenum disulfide, while Caliber 5M contains 5%. Both series share identical NLGI grade ranges (Arctic, EP 0, EP 1, EP 2) and the same ambient temperature spans — the EP 2 grade covers 10°F to 200°F (-12°C to 93°C).

Both products achieve a Four Ball EP weld point of 800 kg (minimum) for EP 0 through EP 2 grades, with a Four Ball wear scar of 0.50 mm. The Arctic grade drops to a 400 kg weld point but pumps down to -22°F (-30°C) on the Lincoln Ventmeter at 400 psi. For extreme cold operations, Whitmore specifically recommends the Caliber 3M Arctic grade.

Caliber 3M uses a straight lithium thickener, while Caliber 5M uses a lithium complex thickener — a distinction that affects oxidation stability and high-temperature performance at the thickener level.

What Is Whitmore Caliber Blue EP and When Should You Use SL-Tech Solid Lubricants?

Whitmore Caliber Blue EP replaces MoS2 and graphite with SL-Tech™, a proprietary blend of light-colored solid lubricants, to achieve greater extreme pressure protection without heavy metals or hazardous ingredients. The EP 1 and EP 2 grades reach a Four Ball weld point of 620 kg, with base oil viscosity of 760 cSt at 40°C — significantly higher than the Caliber 3M/5M EP 2 grades (460 cSt).

Due to the high base oil viscosity, Caliber Blue EP is not suitable for electric motor bearings. Its usable temperature range spans 18°F (-8°C) to 200°F (95°C) for EP 1 and 23°F (-5°C) to 200°F (95°C) for EP 2. Water spray-off loss is under 10% (EP 2, ASTM D-4049), making it well-suited for wet plant environments.

How Does Whitmore Caliber XR Protect Steel Mill and Slew Ring Bearings Under Extreme Load?

Caliber XR is described as the most robust lithium-based bearing grease in the Whitmore line. It targets steel mill roll stands, slew rings on mining and forestry equipment, and heavily loaded industrial mills and grinders. Its base oil viscosity reaches 1,000 cSt at 40°C — more than double the Caliber Blue EP — providing a thick film under slow-speed, high-load conditions.

The standard Caliber XR (mineral base) achieves a Four Ball EP weld point of 620 kg and pumps down to 25°F (-4°C) at 400 psi Lincoln Ventmeter. The synthetic variant, Caliber XR-Syn, raises the weld point to 800 kg and extends cold pumpability to -40°F (-40°C) at 400 psi — making it the preferred choice for cold-climate operations without sacrificing extreme pressure performance.

Caliber XR: weld point 620 kg, mineral base oil, pumpable to 25°F (-4°C)
Caliber XR-Syn: weld point 800 kg, synthetic base oil, pumpable to -40°F (-40°C)
Both grades: water washout loss of 4% (ASTM D-1264), water spray-off under 12%

Why Choose Whitmore Matrix EP Calcium Sulfonate Grease for Chemical and High-Temperature Environments?

Whitmore Matrix EP uses a calcium sulfonate complex thickener that neutralizes acids and resists caustic materials — verified by years of exposure to phosphoric acid fumes without corrosion. A continuous service temperature of 400°F (200°C) is within its safe range; it can sustain 550°F (288°C) continuously with 30-minute relubrication intervals, and tolerate occasional spikes to 600°F (315°C) for 5–10 minutes without melting or carbonizing.

Matrix EP 2 achieves a water spray-off loss under 1% (ASTM D-4049) — the tightest water resistance figure across the entire Whitmore grease line reviewed here. Its Four Ball wear scar narrows to 0.45 mm at EP 2. Matrix EP 2 meets the Bucyrus International specification SD 4711 and DIN 51502 KP2R -20, and has received approval from Andritz Separation, Inc. for use in their tilting pan filter automatic lubrication systems.

What Is Whitmore Legacy M and How Does It Pump at -50°F in Arctic Mining Conditions?

Legacy M is a synthetic high-performance grease built specifically for arctic mining machines — draglines and shovels — where lubrication lines are long and machines operate continuously in deep-freeze conditions. It pumps to boom point sheave bearings at -50°F (-46°C). The aluminum complex thickener combined with synthetic oil and polymer delivers this cold-flow capability while maintaining summer performance.

At 40°C, Legacy M base oil viscosity is 55 cSt — the lowest in this product group — which directly enables low-temperature pumpability. Lincoln Ventmeter performance at 400 psi is confirmed to -40°F (-40°C). The grease is rated compatible with Whitmore SurStik open gear lubricant, simplifying mixed-fleet lubrication programs.

How Does Whitmore Medallion FM Grease Meet NSF H-1 Requirements for Food Processing?

Medallion FM Grease carries NSF H-1 registration across all three grades (0, 1, 2), making it acceptable where incidental food contact is possible. It is produced under Dallas Kosher supervision and is certified Kosher-Pareve for year-round use including Passover. The base oil is Group II paraffinic, with a kinematic viscosity of 108 cSt at 40°C across all grades.

The Grade 2 operating range in bearings extends from 0°F (-18°C) to 300°F (150°C) with daily re-greasing, and down to -25°F (-32°C) for Grade 0. The aluminum complex thickener yields a dropping point above 480°F (249°C). An NSF-approved preservative limits bacterial growth.

When Should You Use Whitmore Compass EP vs Matrix EP for Water-Exposed Industrial Bearings?

Compass EP is a lithium-calcium grease fortified with synthetic polymers and molybdenum disulfide, rated for slow and medium speed industrial bearings in steel mills, pulp and paper, wastewater treatment, cement mills, marine, mining, and construction. Its Four Ball EP weld point reaches 500 kg with a wear scar of 0.57 mm. Water washout loss is 2% (ASTM D-1264) at EP 2.

Matrix EP 2 achieves a higher weld point (800 kg) and tighter water spray-off (under 1% vs 10% for Compass EP), and handles chemical attack and temperatures up to 600°F spike loads. Compass EP is the cost-performance choice for standard heavy industrial water exposure; Matrix EP is indicated when chemical attack, very high temperatures, or the most extreme pressure loads are present.

Summary

Whitmore Caliber 3M (3% MoS2) and Caliber 5M (5% MoS2) both achieve 800 kg weld points in EP 0–EP 2 grades; the Arctic grade pumps to -22°F (-30°C) at 400 psi.
Caliber Blue EP uses proprietary SL-Tech solid lubricants instead of MoS2 or graphite, contains no heavy metals, and reaches 620 kg weld point with 760 cSt base oil viscosity.
Caliber XR-Syn raises the weld point to 800 kg and extends cold pumpability to -40°F (-40°C) via full-synthetic base oils.
Matrix EP 2 withstands continuous 400°F (200°C) service, tolerates 600°F (315°C) spikes for 5–10 minutes, and delivers under 1% water spray-off loss.
Legacy M pumps at -50°F (-46°C) for arctic dragline and shovel boom-point lubrication using an aluminum complex thickener and synthetic oil.
Medallion FM Grease is NSF H-1 registered and Kosher-Pareve certified across Grades 0, 1, and 2 for food processing applications.

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Whitmore Industrial Grease Selection Guide: How to Match EP Grease to Mining and Heavy-Duty Applications