Gear Oil Guide
EP 90 Gear Oil: Specification, Uses & Bulk Price
EP 90 gear oil is an extreme-pressure mineral gear lubricant at SAE 90 viscosity (roughly ISO VG 150), used in manual gearboxes, differentials and final drives on construction and earthmoving equipment. This page covers its specification, where it is used, how it compares to EP 140, and bulk pricing from a Mumbai manufacturer.
EP 90 Gear Oil Specification
| Property | Typical EP 90 value |
|---|---|
| Viscosity grade | SAE 90 (≈ ISO VG 150) |
| Kinematic viscosity (40°C) | 150–200 cSt |
| Kinematic viscosity (100°C) | 14–19 cSt |
| Performance level | GL-4 / GL-5 |
| Base oil | Mineral, sulphur-phosphorus EP additive |
| Flash point (COC) | 200°C min |
| Pour point | −9°C max |
| Pack sizes | 1L tin to 210L drum |
EP 90 Gear Oil Uses
EP 90 is the lighter of the two common EP gear grades and is specified where the gearbox or axle runs at moderate load and the OEM manual calls for SAE 90. On construction and earthmoving equipment this typically means manual transmissions, transfer cases and lighter-duty differentials on tippers, loaders and smaller cranes, along with slew and travel gearboxes on some excavator classes. The GL-4/GL-5 additive package gives the hypoid gear protection needed for angled gear sets under shock loading, which is the main failure mode in axles that run dry of proper EP oil. Always check the equipment manual before switching grades, since some gearboxes with yellow-metal (bronze) synchros are sensitive to the sulphur-phosphorus chemistry in GL-5 oils and call for a GL-4-only product.
EP 90 vs EP 140 — quick answer
EP 90 is the lighter grade, used where the manual calls for SAE 90 in gearboxes and lighter differentials; EP 140 is heavier and used in slow, heavily loaded final drives and axles that run hotter. For the full breakdown of when to use each, see EP 90 vs EP 140 gear oil.
EP90 Gear Oil Equivalents in India
Buyers searching for a branded EP90 alternative often look for Shell Spirax EP 90, Servo Gear Oil EP-90, or Castrol EPX 90. All are SAE 90 (≈ ISO VG 150), GL-4/GL-5 extreme-pressure mineral gear oils built to the same API performance level as KE EP 90 — the difference is packaging, brand markup and distributor margin, not the additive chemistry.
| Brand | Product | Grade / Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Shell | Spirax EP 90 | SAE 90, GL-4/GL-5 |
| Servo | Servo Gear Oil EP-90 | SAE 90, GL-4/GL-5 |
| Castrol | EPX 90 / Gear Oil 90 | SAE 90, GL-4/GL-5 |
| KE | EP 90 Gear Oil | SAE 90, GL-4/GL-5 |
KE EP90 = same API GL-4 spec, direct manufacturer price. Bulk buyers switching from a branded EP90 keep the identical gear protection at a manufacturer-direct rate, with a free sample available for site trials before committing to a drum order.
Bulk supply from Mumbai/Thane
Krish Enterprises manufactures EP 90 gear oil in Diva, Thane, and has supplied construction and industrial lubricants since 1990. We deliver across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane and the wider MMR, direct from the plant with no distributor markup. First orders are prepaid; once 100 orders are on record, repeat buyers move to standard credit terms. A free sample is available for site trials before you commit to a bulk order, drum, pail or tin, whichever pack size suits your consumption.
Frequently asked questions
What is EP 90 gear oil used for?
Manual gearboxes, transfer cases and lighter-duty differentials on construction and earthmoving equipment where the OEM manual specifies SAE 90.
What does EP mean in EP 90 gear oil?
Extreme Pressure. It refers to the sulphur-phosphorus additive package that protects hypoid and angled gear sets under shock loading.
What is the GL rating of EP 90 gear oil?
Typically GL-4 or GL-5, depending on the formulation. Check your equipment manual, as some gearboxes with bronze synchros require GL-4 only.
Is EP 90 the same as EP 140?
No. EP 90 is a lighter viscosity grade (SAE 90, ≈ ISO VG 150) for gearboxes and lighter differentials. EP 140 is heavier (SAE 140, ≈ ISO VG 320+) for heavily loaded, slow-turning final drives.
What pack sizes are available?
1L tin up to 210L drum, direct from the manufacturer.
Related: EP 140 Gear Oil · EP 90 vs EP 140 · Gear Oil EP 90/EP 140 product page