10 HOUR GREASE?

[inveresk]

I know the convention for greasing FEL and PTO is every ten hours, but my L3130 just sat on the one spot for that long today powering a chipper. The loader and PTO went up and down about twice since I greased it on Sunday. Seems overkill to grease them again.

How religiously should I follow the ten hour rule? I'm inclined to let it go this time but would be interested to hear if there are others who would do the same?

 

[wushaw]

I don't follow the 10hr rule, I'm not going to grease something when it wasn't used but just to carry itself in the 10hr time period.

 

[JoeR]

I try to estimate when 10 hours of operation for the Loader has occurred, or if the loader was in a wet environment. Then I grease again. I do not grease based on the engine hour meter for the FEL. Otherwise, I agree it would be a waste to grease something that sat still.

Joe

 

[Mike_C]

If I use the loader 10 hours, I grease the loader.
If I use the backhoe 10 hours, I grease the backhoe.
You get the idea...

 

[Egon]

I usually try and grease loader about every second tank of fuel when I'm using the loader. The tiller gets grease every tank of fuel. Usually try and fill up and grease at the end of the day also.

Time between greasing may also depend on conditions and materials being handled.

Grease doesn't cost much and it only takes a few minutes! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[SkyPup]

Grease is good. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Extreme presure moly baby.

 

[have_blue]

inveresk,

I hear you! However, one thing you must think about is that grease creeps under weight. Let's say you are bush hogging while carrying the FEL. The pins and bushings in the FEL really get a workout even while mowing. There's lots of weight on them, and all the bouncing can squeeze most of the grease right out of them. Another area I never skimp on the grease is the bush hog wheel's swivel and axle. I've seen too many of them wear prematurely. Use your judgment, compromise on greasing by clock hours and actual use hours.

 

[Highbeam]

I am a greasaholic. The only problem I can see with overgreasing is the mess that the old grease makes coming out. If the machine is out in the rain or gets hosed off, especially pressure washed then I grease before the time interval. Every time I do the grease after garden hoing or setting in the rain I purge out some water. That water on those bare pins and bushings can cause rust pretty quickly.

 

[silverking]

Scheduled maintenance is a guideline.

Imagine a fleet of techs out there doing 10 hour maintenance on all those tractors sitting on dealers lots every 10 hours,...seems rediculous huh.

By no means am i diminishing the value of maintenance but like the dealers you should maintain as needed per usage.

 

[have_blue]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am a greasaholic. The only problem I can see with overgreasing is the mess that the old grease makes coming out. )</font>

I don't mind greasing at all except for the mess. Seems like modern science would have an answer for that. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

When someone asks if my tractor runs on diesel or gasoline, I usually reply "It runs mostly on grease".

As much as I hate grease, I must admit I have never seen a tractor damaged from greasing too often.

 

[escavader]

I do about like MIKE does,except i usually will grease my hoe if ive been digging in water or where its wet
ALAN

 

[inveresk]

I've been pretty meticulous about greasing it on the clock hour so far, although it's kinda nasty when the beast is as new and pretty as mine to see all those joints weeping like a snotty nose.

I'll err on the safe side and squelch the stuff about often and liberally and not worry about cosmetics. In any case, we're entering the season in the Pacific North West when I'll have a drip at the end of my own nose often enough.

Thanks for all the sound advice and the smiles.

 

[RoyJackson]

Between 10 and 20 hours, regardless of use...that's what I do. It's only a 15-20 minute operation.

 

[Egon]

To ensure Domestic bliss and keeping on good terms with

" She who must be obeyed "

Beware of

"Jumping Grease "

Grease has an affinity for and will cling tenatiously to any and all areas of clothing or skin till one gets inside one's domicle. It then switches affinity to any and all types of furniture,clothing and flooring! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Using a set parameter such as even hours on the meter or fuel usage makes it easy to keep track of the greasing schedule.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[David_G]

When I am busy (6+ hrs per day of heavy work) greasing is part of the daily warmup cycle.

When things are slack, then roughly by the clock depending on what is used.

 

[valleydweller1]

Has anyone else noticed that some of the zerks are clogged with paint? It seems like someone just painted over the whole thing, zerk fittings and all.