Grease Fitting Extenders?

TerryR · Apr 14, 2020

My BearCat 73454 PTO chipper has two grease fitting that are difficult to impossible to reach, so I'm thinking of adding extensions to bring the fittings out where they are easier to reach.

One is under the belt guard, which is a pain to get off. I'm thinking that a simple pipe extension running up through a hole in the sheet metal to bring the fitting into daylight would do the trick. But I've not been able to locate extension pipes. Maybe I don't know what they are called?

The other was provided with a right angle fitting and a hole in the frame that is supposed to let you grease it. But I've never been able to get a grease gun on it through the hole, and now in a misguided attempt to adjust it I've let it fall off. I can't re-install it because I can't reach my hand in behind the belt pulley, and getting the pulley off looks like a terrible task, and wouldn't fix the issue anyway. So I'm thinking an 8-inch or so extension hose to bring it out beyond the belt guard would do the trick. I see a number of online sources for such hoses.

The fitting that came off is threaded and looks to me like it might be 1/8" threads. Any reason to think it might be something else? Can I measure it to be sure?

Anyone have any experience adding such things? Can you suggest sources of supply (online -- unless Lowes "hardware" carries it I won't find it in the county).

Stimw · Apr 14, 2020

Just buy a grease gun hose at auto parts store.
They are standard pipe thread, just get a pipe union for the zerk.

i7win7 · Apr 14, 2020

I'm only familiar with 3 types of grease zerks. S.A.E. in 1/4" or 3/8" pipe thread, Metric and pressed in fittings. If SAE, pipe nipples and a pipe coupler should let you remote it. A small hose extension for a grease gun and a couple/zerk fitting may also work. I use Lock n Lube fittings on my grease guns and made a short extension hose for hard to reach fittings on my SSQA mount (the locking pins).

defranks · Apr 14, 2020

I used to own a Vermeer chipper, and it used plastic grease lines to route from the grease fitting to the bearings. They had to be replaced every few years as they split, but your local Vermeer dealer should be able to help you get them.

And I just did a quick search and see that Locknlube offers extension kits in various lengths for just a few bucks:

Grease Fitting Relocation Kit | LockNLube - LOCKNLUBE

Peter 315 · Apr 14, 2020

You can try this place I don't know how much money you want to spend......Remote Lube Fitting Systems | Remote Grease Fitting | Grease Header Block

PILOON · Apr 14, 2020

On my CUT the front axle pivot was very inaccessible without lying on the ground.
Being as that my zerk was the 1/8 NPT I used an elbow and some 1/8" pipe to relocate along the side for real easy access.

oosik · Apr 15, 2020

I must be lucky. Only fitting that is "difficult" - front axle pivot. I pull my tractor out of the carport - onto the lawn. So when I wiggle, wriggle under to get that zerk - it's on nice green grass. However, I do have a needle fitting & small diameter pipe fitting should I ever need them.

Needle fitting is nice if you have a plugged/stuck zerk.

shaeff · Apr 15, 2020

I've been planning the same deal with my flail mower and the front axle pivot on my MF. I'm planning to use steel brake lines. At my old job, we had huge air handlers that used steel brake line like tubing to grease the remotely located bearings in the fans and motors. Sure beats climbing inside!

Worst case, if you can't find any fittings that will thread into the brake lines, you could silver solder or maybe braze the tubing to the drilled out zerk? Just throwing around ideas here, as I've yet to do this.

LouNY · Apr 15, 2020

On a seldom greased fitting the smaller the tubing used the better, one reason for grease fittings not taking grease is that the lights have dissipated out of the grease.