Grease Comparison
KE MP3 Grease vs Shell Gadus: Multi-Purpose Grease Compared
Shell Gadus is one of the most widely specified multi-purpose greases on industrial sites. MP3 grease from a Mumbai manufacturer like Krish Enterprises targets the same multi-purpose duty at bulk pricing. If you are deciding whether to keep buying branded cartridges or move to drum-supplied MP3, this comparison covers the chemistry, the duty they share, and where the branded product still earns its premium.
MP3 and a Shell Gadus S2-class grease do the same multi-purpose job. Keep the branded grade for sealed bearings that run hot for long hours. For general site and workshop greasing in volume, MP3 matches the duty at roughly a third of the cartridge price.
MP3 grease vs Shell Gadus: side-by-side
| Property | KE MP3 Grease | Shell Gadus (S2 V220 2 class) |
|---|---|---|
| Thickener | Lithium / lithium-complex | Lithium-complex |
| NLGI grade | 2–3 | 2 |
| Base oil viscosity (40°C) | 180–220 cSt | 220 cSt |
| Dropping point | ≥185°C | ~260°C (complex) |
| EP / anti-wear | Yes | Yes |
| Operating range | −20°C to 130°C | −20°C to 130°C+ |
| Typical pack | 1kg, 18kg pail, 180kg drum | 380g cartridge, 18kg, drum |
| Indicative price | ₹60–80/kg (bulk) | ₹250+/kg |
For routine multi-purpose greasing, bearings, chassis points, pins, general plant, MP3 and a Gadus S2-class grease do the same job. The branded lithium-complex grease holds an edge on dropping point and sustained high-temperature work because complex thickeners tolerate heat better than plain lithium. If your duty is normal ambient and moderate loads, that headroom is rarely the deciding factor.
When to pick which
Stay with Shell Gadus for sealed bearings running hot for long hours, or where a maintenance contract or OEM spec names a lithium-complex grease with a high dropping point.
Switch to KE MP3 for general site and workshop greasing in volume, the same multi-purpose duty at roughly a third of the cartridge price when bought in pails or drums. For the full breakdown of what MP3 is and where it is used, see MP3 grease full form, uses and specifications, and the product page for MP3 grease.
Specifications that matter
When comparing any multi-purpose grease, line up three numbers: NLGI grade (consistency), base oil viscosity at 40°C (load-carrying for the bearing speed), and dropping point (heat tolerance). MP3 at NLGI 2–3 with ~200 cSt base oil suits the majority of medium-speed, medium-load bearings on a construction site. For open, slow-moving gear sets or crusher pinions, a heavier open gear grease is the right tool, compare in open gear grease vs MP3.
Moving from Gadus cartridges to drum-supplied MP3
Most sites that buy Shell Gadus do so in 380g cartridges for grease guns, which is the most expensive way to buy grease per kilogram. The first saving from switching to MP3 is not just the product price, it is moving from cartridges to refilling from an 18kg pail or 180kg drum. A simple cartridge-filler pump pays for itself quickly when you stop buying single-use cartridges.
To switch cleanly, purge the old grease from each point until fresh MP3 shows at the seal, the same as any grease change. MP3 and a Gadus S2-class grease are both lithium-based, so there is no incompatibility concern when you purge properly. Run a normal service interval and confirm the grease holds at the bearing and that running temperature is unchanged. For sealed bearings that run hot for long hours, keep the lithium-complex branded grade, that is the one application where its higher dropping point genuinely earns the premium.
Cost the comparison on a per-greasing-point basis, not per tin. Take your number of lubrication points, the grease each consumes per interval, and the intervals per month; that gives monthly kilograms, which you then price at cartridge cost versus drum cost. The gap is usually large enough that the switch is worth doing for every point that does not run continuously hot.
Why buy from KE
Krish Enterprises manufactures MP3 grease in Mumbai and supplies across the MMR in 1kg cans, 18kg pails and 180kg drums, with batch test certificates on request. Quotes are per kilogram against monthly volume.
Frequently asked questions
Is MP3 grease equivalent to Shell Gadus?
For general multi-purpose duty, yes, both are lithium-based EP greases in a similar NLGI and viscosity range. Shell’s lithium-complex grades carry a higher dropping point for sustained high-temperature service.
Can I replace Gadus cartridges with drum-supplied MP3?
For grease-gun and central-lubrication points at normal operating temperatures, yes. Match the NLGI grade your equipment calls for and refill cartridges from the drum.
What is the difference between MP3 and AP3 grease?
Both are multi-purpose lithium greases; MP3 is the common multi-purpose designation and AP3 the all-purpose NLGI 3 designation. See AP3 vs MP3 grease for the detailed difference.
What pack sizes are available?
1kg cans, 18kg pails and 180kg drums.
Does MP3 grease work in central lubrication systems?
Yes, provided the system is set up for the consistency grade you choose. MP3 at NLGI 2 pumps through most centralised systems; the firmer NLGI 3 grade is better hand-packed or applied to exposed points. Confirm your system’s grade rating before standardising, the same as with any branded grease.
Will switching from Gadus void my equipment warranty?
Only if the OEM warranty names a specific branded grease and the equipment is still in its warranty period. For out-of-warranty plant and general site equipment, matching the grade (NLGI and base-oil viscosity) is what matters, not the brand on the drum.
Related: MP3 Grease · MP3 Grease Full Form & Uses