How to Grease?

[ritcheyvs]

I'd like to know how other folks grease their machines, especially loaders. So far, I just squirt in 2-3 shots of grease in each fitting and let the excess ooze out as it will. This gets messy so once or twice a year I pressure wash, which blows away excess grease, and apply fresh grease. What do others do? What kind of grease do you use (e.g. clear red stuff or icky black stuff)? I know I get enough grease in the joints but I ruin clothes whenever I work around the tractor. Any pro recommendations?

 

[Avondale]

I am, for sure, no pro but I pump it in until I can see some escape from a bushing somewhere on the pin. Any excess is usually wiped off right away but sometimes ends up on me.

 

[atsah]

I am, for sure, no pro but I pump it in until I can see some escape from a bushing somewhere on the pin. Any excess is usually wiped off right away but sometimes ends up on me.

This is my method as well..

 

[flewism]

I am, for sure, no pro but I pump it in until I can see some escape from a bushing somewhere on the pin. Any excess is usually wiped off right away but sometimes ends up on me.

Mine also, It gets washed maybe twice a year and greased, and always in the fall when getting ready for snow plowing.

 

[KennyG]

Things like loaders I like to see it coming out. Sealed bearings and things with boots I just give it a few shots and hope it's enough.

 

[3Ts]

I am, for sure, no pro but I pump it in until I can see some escape from a bushing somewhere on the pin. Any excess is usually wiped off right away but sometimes ends up on me.

Me too.

 

[Coyote machine]

I use the Lock-N-Lube, short and long version on a 20 Volt DeWalt battery gun and it works GREAT. No fuss, no muss. I buy the large boxes of shop rags, and use a throw away cheap paint brush to wipe off any old grease before it gets all over me. I carry a small plastic container to wipe the brush into, so I can save some of the old grease in case I need to apply some to rusted metal or whatever...

After doing one side of the loader, I will then wipe any leftover dirty or new grease that is present around the pin with a shop rag.
This process helps keep the mess less than otherwise. I also make a point of cleaning each zerk before any grease is pumped in. . I usually do 3-4 pumps, and look for the same signs of fresh grease showing at the pin. I use the red grease sometimes, marine too, or whatever is available in a case of cartridges, preferably on sale.

The only zerk that's weird on the DK series is the center of the front axle pivot. I could probably fill it with buckets of grease, BUT my dealer says to just do the usual, 2-3 pumps.
Greasing helps force me to check over the entire tractor on a more regular basis, which is a good thing! :thumbsup:

 

[CMV]

I use the Lock-N-Lube, short and long version on a 20 Volt DeWalt battery gun and it works GREAT. No fuss, no muss. I buy the large boxes of shop rags, and use a throw away cheap paint brush to wipe off any old grease before it gets all over me. I carry a small plastic container to wipe the brush into, so I can save some of the old grease in case I need to apply some to rusted metal or whatever...

After doing one side of the loader, I will then wipe any leftover dirty or new grease that is present around the pin with a shop rag.
This process helps keep the mess less than otherwise. I also make a point of cleaning each zerk before any grease is pumped in. . I usually do 3-4 pumps, and look for the same signs of fresh grease showing at the pin. I use the red grease sometimes, marine too, or whatever is available in a case of cartridges, preferably on sale.

The only zerk that's weird on the DK series is the center of the front axle pivot. I could probably fill it with buckets of grease, BUT my dealer says to just do the usual, 2-3 pumps.
Greasing helps force me to check over the entire tractor on a more regular basis, which is a good thing! :thumbsup:

I use same setup - the dewalt cordless + loc-n-lube. Makes it so much faster.

I just go until I see old grease moving out. I generally just let the excess be...it wall fall away on it's own, or not. Unless I just happen to get a huge glob, I don't bother wipe it away. I do clean the zerks well. A small screwdriver is perfect for the recessed ones when they get caked with crud.

Only one that was ever difficult on mine was the front axle pivot. With a manual pistol type gun, I couldn't get it to accept grease unless I lifted the front wheels off ground with loader which I didn't really like doing. But the dewalt gun has enough pressure to do it flat on the ground.

I do it around every 10 hrs of machine time. Sometimes that could mean the loader has hardly been moved at all other than changing from parked to carry position and back. Other times the whole 10 hrs could have been all loader work with heavy material and thru the full ranges of travel all day. So amount it wants until I see grease moving from the joint can be just a pump or two, or it can be several.

I also hit the pins on the loader QA. My last one has zerks there, this one doesn't, but isn't going to hurt anything. I put on a disposable nitrile glove and just do the moving pieces in 3pt area by wiping on with fingers. i.e. extendable arm links, stabilizer bars, the shaft spindle, anything that looks like a light coat of grease smeared on could be beneficial. Probably debatable if that actually helps anything/prolongs life or just makes more crud stick at those spots..... dunno.

 

[neopheous]

I’ve had issues getting the bottom loader grease fittings to take grease. I’ve tried lifting the loader off the ground, resting easy on the ground and everything in between but just won’t accept it. I assume it may be a bad zerk, but has anyone else seen this issue?

 

[atsah]

I’ve had issues getting the bottom loader grease fittings to take grease. I’ve tried lifting the loader off the ground, resting easy on the ground and everything in between but just won’t accept it. I assume it may be a bad zerk, but has anyone else seen this issue?

I have had a few lock up on me but with movement and an air gun I got them to take it, I have replaced many fittings in the past though..