generic equivalent lubricant

Specification data sheets and MSDS sheets are available online from many oil manufacturers/marketers. You pretty much have to do your own homework. Your search should be based on the specifics of the application you have in mind, and the specification data of currently used lubricant/fluid. I don't think there are charts available. There are certain certifications/standards that oils from certain group must to meet, but that doesn’t mean they are fully compatible. Compatibility of some oils/fluids is easy to evaluate with ASTM D 7155.

Our relational database yields approximately 2500 pages. Cross Ref are available complete or one item at a time. It is more important to know the application and environment. The DOD writes its own specs and the oil companies must build a lube to that application specification. Of you would like examples just let me know.

http://lubrication.services.of...ive.com/default.aspx

gfwhell;
GENERALLY (note emphasis) it will be OK to top off or change out without a flush if you are using the same generic type of fluid lubricant, i.e., R&O circulating oil, AW hydraulic, EP gear oil. Regardless of how hard lubricant company marketing departments try to tell you otherwise, there just aren't that many different options to provide the desired properties. (Yes, I know all about your super secret pixie dust, I read about it in the Lubrizol ad that's in all of the trade magazines.)
However, you should NEVER (note emphasis again) combine lubricants of different types without conducting a thorough compatibility study first. EP gear oils have very active chemistry to provide the EP protection, R&O oils are very sensitive to such contamination, which would likely lead to deposit formation. If you went the other way, you'd dilute the EP agent. That's just one specific example.
So, while the marketing department is probably a bit over-optimistic about the superiority of their slideway oil over Brand X, they are right about the need for so many different types of lubricants.

Thank you for your kind indulgence,

LBDumont
(Failed Rock musician with absolutely no credentials qualifying him to discuss lubrication)

Dear Lamont,

If you are talking about a 25 gallon reservoir I MIGHT (note emphasis) agree with you. Users are not being informed when formulations are changing from group I to Group II and there are issues. The lower solubility and different types of additives can and do create insoluble balls of gook which can reek havoc with large systems. Many 8,000 and 12,000 gallon systems have operated for 30+ years with topping off of Group I packages. Users following your GENERALLY recommendation are now considering being forced to throw out $150,000 of oil, pay disposal fees and then pay for the flush. Not smart in hindsight. The alternate strategy is to use some type of electrostatic kidney loop system to "clean up for the 6 - 8 months prior to the change over. By the way you may need this any way following the change-over to prevent Varnishing.

Good Luck

Perhaps I should rephrase my question?
Has any one put together a down loadable information program, where you can enter an oil manufacturer's oil type, name or number, and "all" comparable available Manufacturers equivalent products are displayed. The information might also contain additional notes regarding
it's use and compatibility, such as deterioration effects it has on types of paints or seals etc. When a machine manufacturer specifies a type of lubricant "other than his own relabeled product" the choices are usually limited.and often become history like Tellus 27.
I am certain there is an oil expert somewhere, who has, or is now, finding the time to cobble one of these lists together which surpasses all others and is getting ready to send me one.

GF

Producing such list would be taking on possible huge liability issues. Are you willing to publicly relieve the owner of such list of any liability? But, why would anyone even go there when formulations of lubricants often undergo changes by the manufacturers? If me, I'd contact manufacturers individually and seek conformation.

I think from the replies above, there is no such thing as a master cross reference document. With changing formulations, it is wise to conduct a compatibility test. You can request this from your new lube supplier. In addition to compatibility testing, I would suggest a filterability test on the various mix ratios of the oil particularly if you are considering topping up only. This is particularly important for systems with fine filtration units.
Do also bear in mind that compatibility tests are conducted in the lab under static conditions and cannot address the possible array of combinations that happen in a live working system. So always have a good program to monitor the oil's performance and condition.