We have various tension reels/payoff reels of the expanding type that seem to be lubricated with different types of greases.
Does anyone have experience with the type of grease recommended by OEM's quantity and frequency?

Hi
with application like this where we have similar equipment most likely from differing manufactures we would normally check all the lubricants recommended and compare thickner and base viscosity and if all similar apply same similar product to all assuming the mechanical systems are the same.
the other way to approach this is the consider the application, eg; slower heavier base oil faster lighter, solid boundary additive and water resistance if applicable, and choose the product to fit that critrea and what ever is applied monitor the application afterwards by ferrogram or WDA and reduce grease application until light heat damage in used grease is seen without any significant wear debris generation to get maximum value from grease allowing a better lubricant to be used,
We can send an example of grease monitoring if you email on lab@rttech.com.au
On PC8000 excavators the swing bearing is > $2,000,000 to replace, on these machines the bearings are monitored visually and this prevents failures, with less expensive applications monitor with normal lab and check condition visually by microscope against normal lab results periodically so the normal lab results can be associated actual bearing condition

Regards Rob S