Do backyard tractors need grease?

[rogersmithiii]

This past year, I bought a John Deere, full-sized backhoe instead of a backyard Deere, Kubota or New Holland.

Knowing nothing about them, I had to jump into the deep end of the pool, to learn about operating, maintenance and repair.

The first thing I learned was that grease was the center point of backhoe ownership. My unit has nearly 45 grease fittings on the front end loader, the backhoe arm, the drive shaft, and the steering. And those fittings have to be greased every 8 hours of use. If you are using the unit for 8 solid hours, experts even suggest greasing every four hours. If the unit sits, unused, you still need to grease regularly to get the water out of the joints. I ended up buying a Milwaukee electric grease gun, and two cases of mining grease. It takes an entire tube of grease to do the entire 310.

I've never heard backyard or farm guys talking about grease though. My friends who own Kubotas or Deeres never grease them when they have been working around my property, and I've never heard the obsessive grease talk that occurs on heavy equipment forums on tractor forums.

Do home and farm tractors not need grease? Do these tractors come with sealed pins and bushings? Or do farm and home guys just not bother?

Enquiring minds want to know.

 

[oldnslo]

I greased my equipment when I farmed and still grease my equipment today.

grease is cheaper than parts.

 

[rogersmithiii]

I greased my equipment when I farmed and still grease my equipment today.

grease is cheaper than parts.

Oh yeah. Getting pins and bushings out is a PITA, and obscenely expensive if you have the Deere mechanic do it for you.

 

[fried1765]

Oh yeah. Getting pins and bushings out is a PITA, and obscenely expensive if you have the Deere mechanic do it for you.

ANY machine that has grease zerks needs frequent greasing.
Once for every 8 hours of use is considered normal, but considering operating conditions, greasing more frequently could be useful.
A battery powered grease gun (Milwaukee or similar) is a wonderful tool, and the OP should consider a ($30) "Lock-N-Lube" also.

 

[Torvy]

I suspect those tractors are getting greased, but not while they are at your place. As for talk, I have seen a lot here. Day-to-day conversation? Maybe it is so obvious that people don't bother discussing. 1st thing my dad said when we bought land was get a good grease gun. (I don't think he meant an M3)

 

[dodge man]

I grease mine on a regular basis, between the front end loader, mower deck and driveshafts I have maybe 12 zerks.

 

[RickB]

The short answer is most (ok, many?)need it more than they get it.
I've seen and serviced countless CUTs at dealerships that hadn't seen grease since the last time they were in.

 

[Jchonline]

I have about 40 as well. Milwaukee M18 grease gun with a lock n lube tip. It’s actually fun to grease my tractor!

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Worst I saw was a guy that dug graves for many funeral homes. He greased but brought it in for pins and bushings yearly. Mainly on the bottom hinge part of backhoe, and bucket hinge. We have a three lever CAT, a dear Jon and a Bush Hog 3 PT. All are greased and good.

 

[Egon]

Wherever there is a grease nipple it should be greased about every ten hours or sooner.

I’m considering an electric grease gun as the handles seem to be getting very hard to squeeze. ( The new grease must be a lot less viscous than it used to be! )

Frequent greasing also keeps all the nipples/passages from getting hard and having to clean them.

 

[Tinhack]

I have about 40 as well. Milwaukee M18 grease gun with a lock n lube tip. It’s actually fun to grease my tractor!

Mine is yellow and black and came in a case. I like it because it's variable speed--Not just two.

 

[Cat385B]

Mess from excess grease is easy and cheap to clean up. New pins and bushings, not so much.
It helps I’m a heavy equipment operator. I have one neighbor who texts to ask if I have my gun handy a couple times a year, he brings over his ztr and beer.

 

[fried1765]

I have about 40 as well. Milwaukee M18 grease gun with a lock n lube tip. It’s actually fun to grease my tractor!

I now describe it as "fun' also!
Prior to my 20V DeWalt and Lock-N-Lube, I considered it drudgery.

 

[hslogger]

I have a few ol grease guns. One has a pointed nozzle. One is air operated pistol grip. Two lever guns and a hand pistol gun. I had a real good older pistol gun that was easy to operate, it was German, and a joy until I ran it over. I went to a local farm store and bought some Chinese one that is cheap and light, the spring is a ball buster. Live and learn. What ever you get, the best ones are the ones you will USE. Best investment for anyone is a real good grease gun

 

[Jchonline]

Mine is yellow and black and came in a case. I like it because it's variable speed--Not just two.

The Milwaukee has a dial on the side, you can adjust the grease output between 10 settings.

 

[bmaverick]

Don't forget that frontyard tractors need grease too.

 

[RickB]

I'm chuckling at the term backyard tractors. We used to refer to 20-30 year old full size TLB's on smallish properties as 'Backyard backhoes'. Blue tarp optional.

 

[Tinhack]

The Milwaukee has a dial on the side, you can adjust the grease output between 10 settings.

Ok. I guess the Milwaukee site is wrong.

I read this statement; "The tool’s 2-speed design offers users the ability to select between max pressure and max flow rate."

My Dewalt is variable speed through the trigger like a drill. There's no dial to fiddle with.

 

[ptsg]

Am I the only one that actually enjoys greasing the tractor or backhoe using the good old lever style grease gun and get hands all greasy? No electric grease gun, no fancy lock n lube stuff. Just a regular grease gun. I do have a pneumatic one but don't really enjoy using it much.

 

[Thomas]

3 or 4 pumps of grease gun often better than waiting 3 or 4 weeks for parts.