Greasing your Kubota

[Dr. Bob]

After several years of creating a mess, I thought I would ask if anyone has any good "tricks" for greasing your tractor, especially the loader, without getting the stuff all over you and the tractor.
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[art]

The boys in shop say we have a couple of customers that just trade them in when they have to much grease around the pins. The complaint comes from getting to much grease on the rag that they are removing the wax with.

I like the doctors gloves for many tasks as it does keep the grease off my hands. A rag should be able to get the extra grease that comes out.

 

[savageactor7]

I have a box of disposable rubber gloves... like medics would use or food service. When I use the grease gun change the oil etc I wear the rubber gloves.

Also I keep a bucket of water with a heavy soap solution in the garage makes it convenient to keep even gloved hands clean.

 

[newbury]

After several years of creating a mess, I thought I would ask if anyone has any good "tricks" for greasing your tractor, especially the loader, without getting the stuff all over you and the tractor.
Any advice would be appreciated.

1. Know how to use your "gun"
2. Adjust for zerck
3. Leave excess grease on tractor
4. Paper towels.

 

[thavil]

Agree with using latex gloves at all times when using a grease gun. I use moly grease for my FEL and BH and it's very hard to get off your skin. I wipe all zerks and excess grease before I start with heavy duty paper towels. If you have a zerk that is hard to take grease and it shoots back out towards you, clean the zerk off and make sure there isn't any leftover paint on the face of the zerk.

 

[DELInstallations]

Had no issues keeping an old work shirt to wipe with and not get any on the hands.

 

[LeitchesCreekbx25]

You`ll have to excuse me as I am a newbie but am under the guidance of a neighbor that has had a tractor for over 30 years.We both use an air grease gun and what a world of difference in time and mess.Got almost 50 hrs in one month of buying my tractor on her.

 

[BeezFun]

Have one of your neighbor's teenagers do it while they still think it's fun. They go home dirty, you're clean.

 

[Willl]

3. Leave excess grease on tractor

Really ?, anybody else ?

I'm curious as to what others do.

Myself, I try to wipe most of the excess off. Don't get real picky about it, just a quick wipe at the extra that goo's out.
If I don't, eventually I'll be stepping in it.

 

[GreenLawnFarm]

i'm more concerned with getting the grease all over my field. i clean it off the joints with q-tips a few times a year and every few years pull the pins to inspect for wear. i try to squirt less grease (1 pump) more frequently (every 5 hours). the extra grease in the joints also causes sticks and debris to attach which isn't a bonus.

 

[Bird]

The latex gloves have really gotten popular. I know when my brother was a Matco Tool Distributor, he sold them on the tool truck, and at the time, it really surprised me. So I decided to try them. Did you know the Varsol in the parts washer will almost dissolve them, or at least cause them to stretch all out of shape? I tried two pair before throwing them away.

I went back to just washing my hands in the parts washer, dry them on an old rag, then wash them with the orange GoJo and water. A bit time consuming, but then I wasn't getting paid by the hour.

 

[DieselnHooters]

I have the LA 852 loader and the decal on it reads:

LUBRICATE EVERY 10 HOURS

EVERY PIVOT PINS

JOINTS OF CONTROL LEVER


Since I dont have the manual I am assuming I will find some zerks under the bolted plastic cover of said control lever....am I wright?

 

[Bird]

I really don't know about that front end loader, but I would not expect to find grease zerks at those joints. Instead, I would think they would be lubricated with a few drops of oil. And that's just my guess.

 

[DieselnHooters]

OK thanx Bird, you are prolly right, 4 small bolts to remove and I will find out soon enough.

 

[kk1w]

I think the 'Nitrile' type gloves will stand up better than the traditional latex. Harbor Freight sells them pretty cheap for a box of 100. I bought a box and they seem to stand up well but I don't have any 'varsol' so can't comment on their standing up to that.

Here's a link to the HB part, others sell them as well: - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Jim, KK1W

 

[thavil]

Thanks kk1w, Nitrile gloves is what I meant to type but said latex instead. Wally World sells them fairly cheap also.

DieselInHooters - Bird is correct, there won't be any zerks for the control lever. I spray my control lever linkage down with a can of white lithium grease.

 

[DieselnHooters]

DieselInHooters - Bird is correct, there won't be any zerks for the control lever. I spray my control lever linkage down with a can of white lithium grease.

Thats what I just did, didnt bother removing the bolts and cover...there cant be zerks under there...thx guys

 

[SideHillBill]

It's tempting to pump grease till you see it squishing out. Not necessary. 1 or 2 pumps at recommended intervals is sufficient for most fittings. The grease will work it's way out as you use your loader. (Sometimes less is more). Also, I prefer paper towels to wipe of the Zerks - just toss it when you're done.

 

[newbury]

<snip>pump grease till you see it squishing out<snip>.

You shouid at least occasionally. Otherwise some joints could be grease starved.
This thread really should be in the Oil, Fuel & Lubricants forum.
CurlyDave had a thread.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/147937-when-grease-2.html
He's got a JD 110 and uses about 24 ounces EVERY time he greases,

 

[CurlyDave]

When I go out there, I have disposable rubber gloves, I think the nitrile ones, a roll of paper towels, a couple of 16d nails, and an old cardboard box to use both as a trash can and a reasonably clean place to lay the grease gun down without getting grease all over. Go ahead, put it on top of the greasy paper towels, it won't get lost.

The nails are helpful in two ways. One, they let me push a paper towel into the recess around a zerk to get all the old grease and corruption out, and they let me push hard on the little ball in the middle of a zerk if it is stuck and not accepting grease.

The other use for the box is that it is a good place to pump out a little grease to check and see if the gun is working.