3 point hitch lubrication

[Rustnut]

Hey guys and gals. I tried searching for my answer first but didn't find what I was looking for. What does everyone use for lubricating the ball joints on the 3 point hitch? Is ball joint the right terminology? I was thinking about just spraying some WD40 on them but figured I'd ask the experts. Just trying to prevent rust and keep them moving freely. Is lube even necessary?

Thanks

 

[dirttoys]

Hey guys and gals. I tried searching for my answer first but didn't find what I was looking for. What does everyone use for lubricating the ball joints on the 3 point hitch? Is ball joint the right terminology? I was thinking about just spraying some WD40 on them but figured I'd ask the experts. Just trying to prevent rust and keep them moving freely. Is lube even necessary?

Thanks

Most have zerks that I am familiar with, #2 grease is normal I guess. I would not use wd 40 or any other degreaser, will leave them dry.

Best,

ed

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate, I use a lanolin based spray-on lubricant. Not knowing where in the world you're located, I'd hazard a guess that "Fluid Film" would be the 'go-to' product in North America. Although there is some lubricant added to WD-40, lanolin is a better, actual, lubricant.

Regarding the rest of your tractor, if it doesn't have a dedicated grease nipple (zerk) and it moves, spray it with lanolin. Add that to your regular maintenance routine.

 

[PILOON]

I personally like to lube mine from time to time as they do tend to get somewhat lose over time as they wear like any metal joint to metal joint does.
My take is a lube that clings would be best, (like motorcycle chain lube).
I'd say my 2 cents but Canada no longer uses pennies. (inflation)

 

[neverfailyou]

If something on my tractors (one is 25 years old and one is 3 years old) moves but doesn’t have a zerk fitting I give it some shots of used motor oil in a metal oil pump gun. Seems to work and I can repurpose some used motor oil,

 

[Rosher18]

I use moly grease 2-3 times a year or whenever it seems dry. I only use the tractor maybe 3 to 5 hours a month in the summer, but the use it sees is mostly in an abrasive dust environment in our horse riding arena.

It's also a 44 year old tractor, so there's that.

 

[John0829]

I never use any lube on them, it holds grit and acts like a grinding compound.

 

[RalphVa]

I use a silicon spray lube or similar. You don't want anything that attracts dirt/grit.

 

[fried1765]

Most have zerks that I am familiar with, #2 grease is normal I guess. I would not use wd 40 or any other degreaser, will leave them dry.

Best,

ed

"Most have zerks"
Really?
Never have seen one with zerks.

 

[Tinhack]

I've switched to chain lube for anything that moves and doesn't have zerks. The motorcycle chain lube is a wax based lube. It's pretty slick so it must have some silicone or Teflon in it. It goes on wet then dries. It doesn't attract dirt. Oh yeah, it's great for motorcycle chains too.

I still use lanolin for plated or unpainted parts that don't move. The lanolin keeps stuff from rusting. And it provides some lubricity. Especially tractor hitch pins and such. I buy the lanolin in a butter tub sized container and dissolve about two tablespoons of it in a quart of naphtha. I put that in a spray bottle and use it all over the shop too--Machine vises, machine tables and ways, etc. Now that does leave a little sticky coating but stuff doesn't rust.

 

[dirttoys]

"Most have zerks"
Really?
Never have seen one with zerks.

Must be thinking to the wrong joint, send a pic of mine if I have time friday..........

Best,

ed

 

[RjCorazza]

I also use a spray chain lube on the 3 point balls and linkage on occasion.

 

[mikester]

Back in my green sand foundry days the maintenance crew concluded that greases and oils in a dirty dusty environment attracted dirt and acted more like an abrasive inside items like ball joints. Their conclusion was that ball joints often lasted longer with no lube at all. Their recommended solution was to use only dry lube on things like ball joints in the really dirty areas and it reduced overall downtime.

I've been using dry lube on the ball joints ever since. Dirt and water are your enemies.

 

[Tinhack]

Back in my green sand foundry days the maintenance crew concluded that greases and oils in a dirty dusty environment attracted dirt and acted more like an abrasive inside items like ball joints. Their conclusion was that ball joints often lasted longer with no lube at all. Their recommended solution was to use only dry lube on things like ball joints in the really dirty areas and it reduced overall downtime.

I've been using dry lube on the ball joints ever since. Dirt and water are your enemies.

That's exactly why I switched to DuPont spray-on chain lube instead of grease or oil. I looked it up. It does have Teflon in it.

And I agree, you sure don't want dirty balls.

 

[Cycledude]

I believe it’s a good idea to lube them once in awhile. Any of the lubricants already mentioned should work fine, I happen to use brand new motor oil from a pump type oil can on all kinds of stuff. My extendable links weren’t working very well so I lubed them a little with motor oil and difference was amazing !

 

[Hroller]

First of all, ditch the idea that WD-40 is a lube... it is not a lube.

Second, chain lube is fantastic stuff, and is actually a lube.

 

[CoyPatton]

My take is it depends. I hate that statement! But it is true. If the tractor is in an environment that is dusty/dirt flys around the tractor when in use or while stored, leave them dry and wash frequently. Any oil or grease based lube will grab and hold the grit of the dirt/dust and then be like sand paper in the joint since it is an unsealed joint. Otherwise a spray on grease, silicone is what I prefer.

 

[RolandW]

Dad was a farmer, and a nut about lubrication. He greased after every meal. He left all of his three-point hitch pivot points dry, and as far as I know he never wore any out. As others have mentioned, oil or grease will attract a lot of dirt.

 

[IH2424]

Don't think I have ever lubed mine in almost 35 years. Still seem to work fine. Probably some hydraulic fluid gets sprayed or drips on them once in a while though. Seems like maybe a good idea to put some oil on them every once in a while though. Got me thinking I had better take a look!

Tim

 

[hube2]

I have been using fluid film, I didn't think about using the chain wax I have form my snow blower chain. My FIL never did anything with them and I've seen them seize up do to lack of lubrication and lack of use. I lubricate and move them around as well as all other pivot points while I'm greasing