Greasing tips for an absolute beginner?

[Looking4new]

Since the grease has been covered, get yourself some good hand cleaner like "fast orange". It smells like oranges and will remove most grease except graphite grease. The only thing I have found that will remove that black graphite grease is skin removal. The fast orange will cut most of it off, but the residue will just have to wear off.
It doesn't matter if you wear gloves or not, if there is grease on an object you will wear it at some time. When greasing, wear coveralls. the will help to keep your clothes clean. In the hot summer you can wear coveralls with nothing on underneath and still be decently covered.

 

[jeff9366]

At least one zerk on the tractor usually resists taking grease, usually a zerk on the FEL, usually due to pressure on the pin.

If the FEL is down, lift it somewhat. If the FEL is up, lower it until supported on the ground.

Try the resistant zerk again. It is highly probable the resistant zerk will take grease with the FEL in a different position.

 

[plowhog]

Tremendously helpful information. I'll get some "fast orange." Didn't think about that. Already got the recommended gloves. And I now know how to get past that $#@#^@ zerk fitting that won't accept grease!!

 

[oosik]

I use a high pressure moly grease. The only down side - I usually end up looking like the tar baby from Little Black Sambo. With light colored lithium grease you don't notice, so much, that its spread everywhere. That black, sticky moly grease shows up everywhere.

I have one zerk on the FEL that won't take grease with everything in the "down" position. Easy answer - move the FEL to an alternate position. The grease will flow.........

 

[jeff9366]

"Simple Green" is another effective grease solvent both for human flesh and tractor flesh.
I buy Simple Green at Lowe's or Home Depot.

 

[Looking4new]

If after doing all of the above and still not getting grease into the joint, get a trusted helper to work the FEL up and down while you try to force the grease into the joint.

 

[yomax4]

Agreed, Battery powered grease gun is the bomb ! Wonderful for the new boat trailer axles and any hard to reach zerk. Push the button and smile wile it greases. I added one of those quick connects on the hose so the thing doesn't pop off the zerk while greasing. That alone is a godsend. Mines is a Milwaukee 18v but I would enjoy any out there.

 

[Texasmark]

Tremendously helpful information. I'll get some "fast orange." Didn't think about that. Already got the recommended gloves. And I now know how to get past that $#@#^@ zerk fitting that won't accept grease!!

On most of the "relics" that I can afford, stuck zerks are pretty normal. I replace the easy ones. If that doesn't solve it, I run a drill bit (with a motor attached) down into the hole and when doing that ensure that the pressure is off the joint so that there is a space for the grease to go once you open up the hole. If that doesn't work I have drilled and tapped my own and other times when allowable just smear the mess on with my (gloved) hands.....but my stuff gets greased often.

On guns, I like the hand pump because I can feel what's happening. I tried a pneumatic once but I never knew if it was pumping or just making noise unless I pulled it off the zerk and hit the trigger.

I have about 5 hand pump guns, all for a different purpose. I use Mystic JT6 Red for everything, or whatever red (high temp) is available. Using one grease for everything makes it simpler....but I do have a tube of Moly that I use on special occasions. That is not in a gun. I put that on with a popsickle stick.

 

[Texasmark]

Tremendously helpful information. I'll get some "fast orange." Didn't think about that. Already got the recommended gloves. And I now know how to get past that $#@#^@ zerk fitting that won't accept grease!!

Gojo works fine as well. It melts grease and paint and has lanolin. Just what you get used to using.

 

[Looking4new]

Gasoline and diesel work good, too. BUT they are both murder on your skin. I have a gallon of stuff outside (I wont keep it in the house, it is an accelerant like gas) that will not only strip the grease off your hands, it will also strip any oils out of your skin. It was used for cleaning asphalt off things you didn't want the tar on, back in the day before it was banned.