(Date now 03/28/2024)
About 2-3 weeks ago I called the Lucas factory directly and was connected with one of their senior customer service people. I spent about 30 minutes on the phone with him.
This is what I was told:
*Lucas has been unable to source a key ingredient for the green Xtra HD grease for 2+ years and as far as he knows there is no remaining stock at any wholesale or retail location.
*Lucas has secured a supply now and will be back in production, "Hopefully mid summer 2024" and you should start seeing product on store shelves, "Hopefully late summer 2024". So.... maybe by the end of the year, unless the stuff is imported and happens to come in through the Port of Baltimore in which case who knows when they will get it...
*This is a Polyurea based grease and absoutly IS NOT COMPATIBLE with ANY OTHER FORMULATION of grease. PERIOD. In short, if it is not Polyurea based it is not compatible.
*I asked exactly what, "Not compatible" means. I was told that the 2 greases will basically fight each other with the end result that neither will be able to provide that thin protective barrier layer that is so important and you will absolutely get serious premature wear from the parts.
*He recommends to seek other manufacturers that produce a Polyurea based grease if possible. If not, he recommends the Lucas red-n-tacky.
*He said that in any instance of moving away from the Polyurea based grease you should, "Thoroughly purge" the Polyurea grease out of any location.
*To purge the grease you need to pump in your new grease until you get a steady overflow of the new grease. Operate the equipment a short time to allow any remaining grease to "mix" with the new, and purge again. Me personally I plan to do the purge thing 3 times because these parts are not cheap and are not easy or inexpensive to change.
I hope this helps.