
Ravi Patel
Project Manager, Arihant Infra
Rated 4.5 out of 5
Tipper operator in Kalyan ran his Tata 2518 differential on worn-out EP 90 for 6 months past change interval. Gear teeth started scoring. Crown wheel and pinion done. Replacement: ₹45,000-65,000 plus 4-5 days off-road. Annual gear oil for that truck: ₹3,000-4,000.
Gear oil is the cheapest drivetrain component and the most ignored. Nobody checks differential oil until gears start whining.
EP 90 (lighter): Truck transmissions and gearboxes, tower crane slewing, concrete pump transfer cases, transit mixer reduction gears.
EP 140 (heavier): Tipper differentials and final drives, crusher gearboxes (sustained heavy load), batching plant mixers, mobile crane final drives.
GL-4 for synchronized transmissions (safe for brass synchros). GL-5 for differentials (higher EP additives). Never use GL-5 in a synchromesh gearbox unless OEM allows — it eats brass synchronizers.
| Machine / Location | Grade / Capacity |
|---|---|
| Tata 2518 — Gearbox | EP 90 GL-4 / 7L |
| Tata 2518 — Differential | EP 140 GL-5 / 12L |
| Ashok Leyland — Gearbox | EP 90 GL-4 / 6.5L |
| Ashok Leyland — Differential | EP 140 GL-5 / 14L |
| Tower crane slewing | EP 90 GL-4 / 8-15L |
| Jaw crusher gearbox | EP 140 GL-5 / 20-40L |
| Transit mixer reduction | EP 90 GL-4 / 10-15L |
| Batching plant mixer | EP 140 GL-5 / 15-30L |
| Pack Size | Best For |
|---|---|
| 20 litre can | 1-2 trucks |
| 50 litre drum | Small fleet 3-5 |
| 210 litre barrel | Depot, crusher site |
No minimum order. First order prepaid.
Same-day dispatch for orders placed before 2 PM. Mumbai: evening delivery. Navi Mumbai / Thane: next morning. Pune / Nashik: 2-3 days.
Q: What is the difference between EP 90 and EP 140?
EP 90 is lighter — flows better at startup, for gearboxes. EP 140 is thicker — better film strength under heavy sustained loads, for differentials and crushers.
Q: How often should I change gear oil in my tipper?
Differential: every 40,000-50,000 km. Gearbox: 60,000 km. On rough terrain, reduce by 20%. Check level monthly.
Q: Can I use EP 140 in my gearbox instead of EP 90?
Not recommended. EP 140 is too thick for synchromesh — makes shifting difficult, raises operating temperature.
Q: My gear oil smells burnt. What does that mean?
Oil overheated from overloading, low level, or extended drain interval. Drain immediately, inspect gears for scoring. If gears show blue/purple marks, damage is done.
Q: Do you supply both EP 90 and EP 140 together?
Yes. Most depots order both grades. Single delivery, single invoice.
Supplied across tipper fleets, crusher plants, and construction depots in MMR.