Greasing

[MACflyer]

When greasing, if there's a bit of grease being pushed out of the bushing am I over servicing?

Also noticed the FEL hydraulic pistons are able to slide back and forth laterally over the mounting bushings. I've got about 35 hours on my new machine, is this normal wear as it breaks in?

 

[pokey1416]

I don’t necessarily thinks so IMO. I’m from the construction side and overgreasing is not in our vocabulary.

 

[Avenger]

You want to push out a little grease when greasing. Not a ton, but just a bit.
Some would argue that you want to push all the grease out until you see 'new' grease coming out. I think this is overkill
Be careful with sealed bearings and bushings, as you can damage the seals by pushing too much grease. You wont see the grease in those places, but you will feel resistance.

As for the lateral movement in the FEL cylinders, this is normal and is for clearance.

 

[Nacademus]

I push until I see CLEAN grease-that doesn't always mean it has to be new grease. Then I wipe the blobs away. This gives me peace of mind that any moisture or dust is not a part of the pin lubrication anymore. I've driven out pins by operators that were conservative with greasing and there would be areas on the pin surfaces that just seemed to not wick grease and they'd be gritty or rusty. Probably from moisture and dirt.

It's not going to look pretty but grease is a good thing to see on a pin.

 

[mcfarmall]

Fear not, all is well.

 

[Nacademus]

Photo just loaded for me. In my mind, that pin isn't greased enough lol

 

[PILOON]

Did that messy job one hour ago.
But I cheat now as I have me a nice $25. used Lincoln* 12 volt gun and so I treated myself to one of those fancy 'lock on' tips.
Heck the 'lock on' cost as much as the gun, but well worth it.

* was at right place at right time! (battery was even new)

Oh yes, I discovered a trick for greasy hands.
I spray them with WD40 and it wipes off the mess just great.
I follow up with soap and water and you'd never know I just lubed my tractor.

 

[mcfarmall]

Nitrile gloves for me!

 

[Avenger]

Since the conversation here has shifted a bit, nitrile gloves work, but can be a pain sometimes, especially when your hands get all sweaty. Or if you remember. Often times, I'm somewhat in a hurry to get the tractor or implement lubed, so I can get out and get work done. So I skip the gloves and put hands on my grease gun, instantly getting the hands lubed. Too late for gloves now, just get the job done. But shortly afterwards I use one or two products for cleaning my hands (sometimes both):

Tub-O-Towels: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00022W4ZU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Grip Clean: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08173SK4Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use the towels to clean up the grease on the fittings, on the end of my gun, etc. They are right there, and work well on my hands. The Grip Clean sits next to the big sink in the mud room, where I typically wash my hands when entering the house. Works well!

 

[WranglerX]

I have always had opinion that if old grease is being forced out new grease has filled any voids in mechanical connection,,, Over greasing probably cant, creating amess always....

 

[k0ua]

When greasing, if there's a bit of grease being pushed out of the bushing am I over servicing?

Also noticed the FEL hydraulic pistons are able to slide back and forth laterally over the mounting bushings. I've got about 35 hours on my new machine, is this normal wear as it breaks in?

From your photograph, in my opinion, far from over-greasing, you are not quite greasing enough. And the side slop of the cylinder end on the pin is normal for all tractors. Pump a little more in. Let it squish out new grease. Grease is cheap compared to pins/bushings etc. If you ever hear a squeak of any kind come from your FEL, you will know you have waited far far to long between greasing intervals. 10 hours of FEL use is the recommended time, or if you know you are going to be using your FEL all day every day, change your schedule to everyday greasing. Don't spare the grease...

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

If there’s no seal or boot to blow out there’s only a few places where overgreasing is a problem... Clutch release bearings. greasable water pumps and wheel bearings with brakes are the main ones.

If the extra grease doesn’t go somewhere it will do harm then it only a cosmetic issue.

 

[MACflyer]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I've definitely been too conservative with the grease based on the responses. Guess I've got another task today!

 

[Quickster2]

Get some nitrile gloves and a roll of paper towel to wipe the excess and have some fun. I grease every fitting at least once a year and at every 75 hour oil & filter change.

 

[mikester]

If you make it a habit to grease every time you fill up that will roughly work out to every 10 hours. Makes it easier to keep track too.

 

[PILOON]

The general recommendation is to grease daily or every 8/10 hrs. of operation.

Now I might argue that is for hard working equipment and perhaps not the case for many CUT owners that baby their machines.

For general CUT owners I like the suggestion to grease at every fueling cycle.
My CUT generally seems to need fuel at about every 8/10 hours confirming that idea.

I tend to overlook greasing in winter but then I don't work the FEL so only steering links and clutch might need grease but those all have boot protection. (approaching 2000 hrs and so far no signs of sloppy joints)

LOL, guess I do grease adequately judging by the globs of grease at most zerk locations.

 

[SylvainG]

On a related subject, how many zerks greasing does your grease cartridge last?

 

[k0ua]

On a related subject, how many zerks greasing does your grease cartridge last?

I have never put it to quantitative measure, BUT it seems to me the cartridge is empty all the time, and usually at about half way thru greasing is when it runs out!

 

[Cat385B]

On a related subject, how many zerks greasing does your grease cartridge last?

On my SCUT w/loader, probably 5-6 full services per tube of grease. They are little tiny pins. My machine at work is about 30 ounces a day.

 

[Smokeydog]

Most of the time on the FELs and grapples they get 2-4 pumps depending on the pin size every 6-10 hours. That even includes bush hogging not using the FEL. Swing pin on backhoe gets more, rotate and a few more. Sometimes don’t see new grease till I’m working the joint. Better too frequently than too much infrequently.