
Ravi Patel
Project Manager, Arihant Infra
Rated 4.5 out of 5
Ask a supervisor what grease he uses: "batata grease." Ask the specification: blank look.
Batata grease is calcium soap, NLGI 2-3, named for its yellow colour (batata = potato in Marathi). The default construction grease in Maharashtra for decades because it's cheap, available, and works for general applications.
But "works well enough" has limits. Using it on excavator pins or crane bearings — which some sites do to save money — causes premature wear because it lacks EP additives.
CORRECT: Plywood shuttering hardware, trolley wheels, barrow axles, gate hinges, scaffolding couplers, tie rods, temporary hardware.
WRONG (upgrade to AP3): Excavator bucket pins, crane slewing bearings, truck wheel bearings — these need EP additives.
Correct use = savings. Wrong use = false economy. 18kg pail of batata costs significantly less than AP3. On shuttering hardware across 30 floors, the savings add up. The mistake is using it everywhere.
| Application | Why Batata Grease Works Here |
|---|---|
| Plywood shuttering hardware | Channels, clips, wing nuts — low load |
| Trolley wheels / barrow axles | Infrequent, non-critical |
| Gate hinges and rollers | Low speed, low load |
| Scaffolding couplers | Temporary, discarded after use |
| Shuttering tie rods | Easy removal after pour |
| General site hardware | Anything that moves infrequently |
| Pack Size | Best For |
|---|---|
| 500g pouch | Quick job |
| 1 kg tin | Shuttering crew |
| 5 kg bucket | Standard site monthly |
| 18 kg pail | Large site, multi-floor |
| 50 kg drum | Depot stock |
| 180 kg barrel | Bulk, multi-site |
No minimum order. First order prepaid.
Number one complaint about yellow grease: inconsistency between batches. One batch smooth, next grainy or separated. This happens from inconsistent base oil ratios and mixing temperatures.
We maintain fixed calcium soap percentage, controlled mixing temperature, and consistent base oil viscosity. Every pail: same texture, same colour, same performance.
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 batata grease?
Calcium soap general purpose grease, NLGI 2-3. Named for yellow colour (batata = potato in Marathi). Most common construction grease in Maharashtra.
Q: Can I use it on my JCB?
Not for bucket pins and boom pivots — lacks EP additives for shock loads. Fine for non-critical site hardware. Use AP3 for heavy equipment.
Q: Difference between batata and AP3?
Batata: calcium-based, no EP, cheap, light-duty. AP3: lithium, EP additives, designed for heavy loads. Use batata for hardware, AP3 for heavy equipment.
Q: Why is my batata grease grainy?
Batch inconsistency from manufacturer — varying calcium ratio and mixing temperature. Ours is formulated with controlled ratios for consistent texture.
Q: Monthly consumption for a site?
Standard multi-storey site: 5-10 kg for hardware greasing. One 18 kg pail lasts 6-8 weeks.
The most-ordered grease in our catalogue. Supplied across construction sites in MMR.