Grease - is there no better way? Can we talk about this?
- Thread starter Santa Craig Cringle
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Engineer42
Platinum Member
Very true! But it's good stuff, whether I'm using it helps me or the next guy.
I use heavy paper towels after each use and make sure grease guns and equipment gets wiped off as part of my maintenance routine.
EscapedSuburbia
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- None yet, joining to figure that out
A battery operated grease gun isn't important when all zerks are easy to reach but is a godsend when they're in an awkward place. My RV has zerks in spaces that are too tight for a lock 'n load so it means lying on my back with one arm fully extended to hold the hose onto the zerk and trying to operate the handle with my hand in a cramped position with the gun trapped between me and the chassis. When I'm in that position I'd rather pull a trigger than squeeze a handle.
tjandrews
Silver Member
I use Dawn dishwashing liquid and some water to clean my greasy hands. Works great, better than some mechanic's hand cleaner I've tried. I figure if they can use it to clean birds after an oil spill, it ought to be good enough for me.
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bill karrer
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- Mar 1, 2022
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- Kubota B21
"Funny Story" Many decades ago, '70s '80s, I worked at an IH dealer. IH claimed they solved the grease problem. They went to all sealed and permanent lubed surfaces. No grease fittings. When asked why they did this, the reply was, "the farmer never greases anything anyway"! Might say something about why they went belly-up?
I think the OP must grease like I paint. I can’t get near a paint brush in any clothing that my wife will allow me to wear in public. I get paint on me just looking at new paint stirrers in plastic bags. I’m a self proclaimed 50/50 painter because half the paint goes on what I’m painting, the rest goes on me.
All kidding aside, what some people think is a little smear, others who are a little pickier really don’t like a little mess. Being OCD or **** retentive with a tractor is perfectly fine, as long as you’re willing to put in the time. Some have show tractors, some have mechanical beasts of burden. Me, I’m a little less worried about a few smears and more focused on getting the job done with maintained equipment.
As for the grease that oozes out of pin/bushing joints, better to leave it there until the next lube cycle. It’s a lot better to have dirt stuck to grease outside the lubrication zones than to attract it straight into the joints. It also keeps some water out if you operate in the rain. You’re certainly entitled to disagree with me, but the excess from proper maintenance is your seal against the bad things that will destroy the joints. Cleaning the zerks and excess off BEFORE greasing is important and probably the best way to visually confirm the grease is going where it should. As another poster said, rags are rags for a reason. I keep a few around that Ive already made stains on with something and use those where a nice white super clean rag isn’t necessary, then toss them when I use them for greasing. I’m smarter than keeping any oily ones around. I don’t like fire in places that I don’t put it. I also keep a roll of blue paper towels (because they’re tougher than regular paper towels) on the rack and two more in the cabinet for spares. I wipe the zerk, wipe the places I expect grease to ooze out, then pump until I can see it, typically 2-3 shots per pin, or 4 to the SSQA latches. Annually, I take the loader off and pressure wash it to inspect the boom and pins for wear and cracks. That is also when I clean off what grease escapes and sticks to the tractor
Tractors are noisy and dirty, kinda like most 8-12 year old kids. Unless you give a kid a lot of ‘maintenance’ they don’t usually perform as expected either. Noise and dirt aint for everyone.
All kidding aside, what some people think is a little smear, others who are a little pickier really don’t like a little mess. Being OCD or **** retentive with a tractor is perfectly fine, as long as you’re willing to put in the time. Some have show tractors, some have mechanical beasts of burden. Me, I’m a little less worried about a few smears and more focused on getting the job done with maintained equipment.
As for the grease that oozes out of pin/bushing joints, better to leave it there until the next lube cycle. It’s a lot better to have dirt stuck to grease outside the lubrication zones than to attract it straight into the joints. It also keeps some water out if you operate in the rain. You’re certainly entitled to disagree with me, but the excess from proper maintenance is your seal against the bad things that will destroy the joints. Cleaning the zerks and excess off BEFORE greasing is important and probably the best way to visually confirm the grease is going where it should. As another poster said, rags are rags for a reason. I keep a few around that Ive already made stains on with something and use those where a nice white super clean rag isn’t necessary, then toss them when I use them for greasing. I’m smarter than keeping any oily ones around. I don’t like fire in places that I don’t put it. I also keep a roll of blue paper towels (because they’re tougher than regular paper towels) on the rack and two more in the cabinet for spares. I wipe the zerk, wipe the places I expect grease to ooze out, then pump until I can see it, typically 2-3 shots per pin, or 4 to the SSQA latches. Annually, I take the loader off and pressure wash it to inspect the boom and pins for wear and cracks. That is also when I clean off what grease escapes and sticks to the tractor
Tractors are noisy and dirty, kinda like most 8-12 year old kids. Unless you give a kid a lot of ‘maintenance’ they don’t usually perform as expected either. Noise and dirt aint for everyone.
kenhar
Silver Member
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- romance, ar
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- 6640 ford, 1135 massey, 1610d yanmar, 1957 350 international utility
Explain, please.As a machinist who's made parts for worn out equipment, I disagree with that statement
dannyojudd
New member
Paper rags by the box and paper towels on both sides of driveway in the barn. Hand cleaner with pump dispenser a must. I always grease in the shade so the person holding the grease gun keeps a cool
head... Pistol grip Lincoln and new coupler makes it easier.not2old
Veteran Member
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Next time, get born to wealthy parents
