Cleaning Greasy Zerks and Pivot Points

[Big Joe]

I mow in a pretty dusty environment and have a heavy accumulation of dirt and grease around the grease zerks and pivot points of the FEL on my Kubota. I clean the zerks with a rag the best I can before greasing, but some of them are pretty tough to get to. Should I use some sort of degreaser solution? What do you recommend?

 

[Ford tractor]

I wipe the tip with a finger and grease it.

 

[TGF]

I just wipe the tip with a rag than pump grease in till I see a bit of clean grease squeeze through, usually 2-3 pumps.

 

[TripleR]

I usually just use a paper towel or rag to wipe off the excess or sometimes compressed air. You really have to watch some quick drying solvents for paint damage, but some will work well if it is important to you.

 

[Thomas]

I seen equipment w/plastic grease caps but after while the fall off etc.,or just leave very little grease at fitting end to collect dust/grit than wipe before pumping.

 

[Big Joe]

It looks as if I just need to apply some "elbow grease" to clean it up.

 

[Mousefield]

I use an old rag or paper towel to wipe around the zerks before greasing, Also give a quick wipe after greasing to get rid of any excess grease, that way there in less for dirt to stick to.

 

[k0ua]

I use an old rag or paper towel to wipe around the zerks before greasing, Also give a quick wipe after greasing to get rid of any excess grease, that way there in less for dirt to stick to.

Same here, you can also kinda "hear" the cracking sound of the grease coming around the joint if you listen carefully.
James K0UA

 

[teg]

I just clean the top of the zerk...

 

[whistlepig]

I wipe the bulk of it off with a paper towel. The rest I take off with mineral spirits. I have used mineral spirits for many years and, in my case, it has never harmed the paint. Mineral spirits are a petroleum based solvent. I don't think mineral spirits are any more harmful to the paint than the grease it is removing.