Grease - is there no better way? Can we talk about this?

[kneedeep]

what techniques do you have for purging air in newly replaced cartridge manual grease gun? that's my only issue & don't mind getting messy when gun works properly. regards`
do pneumatic guns work better in that regard? my experience is no

Most GG have a button or a bolt that will ‘burp’ the air out.
During hot weather, I keep mine in a bucket upside down as the heat will soften grease and being upside down they always pump.
Equipment maintenance can be a messy deal but for any longevity it is necessary.

 

[madspeed]

I picked up one of these guns from HF. It is awesome! I have zero mess, it purges itself very quickly on cartridge changes and those changes are very simple. There is a little rubber housing that the nozzle fits into for storage that prevents a mess from occuring. I have had zero leaks of any kind, couldn't be happier. The battery lasts forever, couldn't even tell you the last time it was charged.

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-cordless-variable-speed-grease-gun-tool-only-58607.html

 

[bowenskye]

what techniques do you have for purging air in newly replaced cartridge manual grease gun? that's my only issue & don't mind getting messy when gun works properly. regards`
do pneumatic guns work better in that regard? my experience is no

I leave the canister, that holds the grease tube, a little loose, so that air can escape.

 

[aircommuter]

Like others said. Disposable gloves, blue paper towels and wipe as you go. The only grease you need is that thin film between the wearing parts.

 

[aa2tn]

what techniques do you have for purging air in newly replaced cartridge manual grease gun? that's my only issue & don't mind getting messy when gun works properly. regards`
do pneumatic guns work better in that regard? my experience is no

Just leave the cover a bit loose when you install a new tube of grease until the grease comes out the tip then tighten ...

 

[4570Man]

what techniques do you have for purging air in newly replaced cartridge manual grease gun? that's my only issue & don't mind getting messy when gun works properly. regards`
do pneumatic guns work better in that regard? my experience is no

If you can store the grease in the sun there’s almost no issue to start with in my experience. My grease gun has a bleeder screen but I rarely use it. I’ve had the best results to leave the tube loose and ram the plunger rod back and forth while the gun is pumping.

 

[350c]

I also store my grease guns in a 5 gal. bucket and am surprised at how much oil leaks out of the grease and collects at the bottom of the bucket.

I did some research and discovered that grease guns should be stored horizontally and not vertically. In horizontal storage, less oil will separate from the grease and the oil that does separate tends to stay in the grease tube.

I plan to now store my guns on a large cookie sheet.

Tried the horizontal storage. The oil that stays in the gun then runs out when you are using it, dripping onto everything beneath. If you happen to be laying under a piece of equipment, guess what's beneath...

 

[MD2595]

I’m glad to see I’m not the only one that went battery back to manual. More control and Less waste. Have 3 guns. 2 Deere and yellow lock and lube. Performance wise. Lock and lube.

That's all well and good until you rent a skid steer and the track pops off. Try refilling the grease on that with a manual grease gun. Your hands/forearms will hate you.

 

[4570Man]

Tried the horizontal storage. The oil that stays in the gun then runs out when you are using it, dripping onto everything beneath. If you happen to be laying under a piece of equipment, guess what's beneath...

I switched to this Exxon grease. Even in 90 degrees in full sun the grease stays in the tube without running everywhere like red grease does.

 

[Gord Baker]

One of the things I hate most about working with equipment is grease. I recently decided I was going to make it easier by getting a battery powered grease gun. Then I opted to put a lube lock fitting nozzle thingy to try to reduce the mess.

It helps but the grease and mess still gets everywhere.

All over my hands. Ruined countless numbers of rags. All over the tractor in places I'd rather not have it. All over the grease gun and even some of my other tools.

Is there a better way? Are there any products I should look into?
Is there no newfangled alternate to grease that isn't quite so messy?

Grease makes the already unpleasant task of maintaining equipment even less pleasant.

Use Brake Cleaner to clean up your GG and I put mine in a disposable plastic bag with just the end sticking out. Wipe off the Zerk fitting first and insert well aligned. A couple pumps is all you need. Rags are for ruining. That's why they are called rags. I don't understand how you get it all over tractor and tools.