ElBubba
Bronze Member
When I pump a zerk I usually continue until I see just a little grease starting to ooze out of the joint but sometimes I accidentally overdo it (see pic). This isn't harmful is it?
Is Overgreasing Harmful
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KentT
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Not harmful per se -- but it does provide a "sticky substance" to attract and collect dirt around the part. I'd suggest wiping off what excess grease you can easily get to....
beenthere
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Harmful? Guess it depends. Wasteful if nothing else, but I don't like to do it because it catchs dirt and drops off on the lawn, and can be tracked into the house.
Sometimes the extra grease will blow out seals, thus that is harmful.
Some will think grease getting on the ground is harmful to the environment (I don't fit into that arena).
But extra grease doesn't do any good to the joint or fitting, other than possibly push out old grease along with dirt and moisture that might be there.
Not sure this helps answer your question, but is my take on it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Sometimes the extra grease will blow out seals, thus that is harmful.
Some will think grease getting on the ground is harmful to the environment (I don't fit into that arena).
But extra grease doesn't do any good to the joint or fitting, other than possibly push out old grease along with dirt and moisture that might be there.
Not sure this helps answer your question, but is my take on it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
SnowRidge
Elite Member
I was taught and have always believed that you grease until you see old grease squeeze out of the joint. Of course, on a new finish mower that means approximately 1.5 cartridges per spindle. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
beenthere
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Those spindles would be where I would NOT grease until I see grease come out, as then the seals would be blown, IMO.
Not sure how to explain which ones to 'wait' for grease and which ones to stop greasing before blowing seals.
Maybe someone will know.
Not sure how to explain which ones to 'wait' for grease and which ones to stop greasing before blowing seals.
Maybe someone will know.
Bob999
Platinum Member
I think it depends on what you are greasing. The fitting you show in the picture has no seals so pumping lots of grease won't harm the part. Of course it does make a mess.
Spindles typically have seals and applying lots of grease may damage the seals. The maintenance literature that came with a Toro ZTR mower says that overgreasing is the number on cause of premature failures in spindles.
Spindles typically have seals and applying lots of grease may damage the seals. The maintenance literature that came with a Toro ZTR mower says that overgreasing is the number on cause of premature failures in spindles.
SnowRidge
Elite Member
Interesting. Over on LawnSite, I think it was, there was a discussion by the lawn pros about this. It's been awhile, but I think they were saying undergreasing was the biggest problem. Personally, I grease the spindles every other mowing @ three full strokes per spindle. It took months before I detected old grease coming out.
JerryG
Super Member
What it boils down to is. If it is a open joint without seals or a boot, extra grease will flush the dirt and grit out of the joint and prevent wear. If it is a sealed joint or it has a boot, it is prudent to just put enough grease to keep the joint from wearing.
J_J
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On the subject of greasing bearings, some bearings are made to be greased, and some are not.
Ball bearings, no seal. grease as required.
Tapered bearings, axle bearings etc, require a reservoir.
Spindle bearings, no seal, grease often.
Spindle bearings, one side sealed to the outside, grease from the center.
Spindle bearings double sealed, don't require grease.
Talked to the guy at the American bearing, and he said over greasing is bad. Over greasing to flush out dirt, etc is probably a good thing, but not to excess.
If replacing bearings, notice how they were installed. A certain letter will indicate a seal or double seal. Just replacing a bearing with the same inside and outside diameter is not enough. Notice seal to the outside, this is the normal situation.
Learned from experience.
Use good common sense in unknown situations.
Ball bearings, no seal. grease as required.
Tapered bearings, axle bearings etc, require a reservoir.
Spindle bearings, no seal, grease often.
Spindle bearings, one side sealed to the outside, grease from the center.
Spindle bearings double sealed, don't require grease.
Talked to the guy at the American bearing, and he said over greasing is bad. Over greasing to flush out dirt, etc is probably a good thing, but not to excess.
If replacing bearings, notice how they were installed. A certain letter will indicate a seal or double seal. Just replacing a bearing with the same inside and outside diameter is not enough. Notice seal to the outside, this is the normal situation.
Learned from experience.
Use good common sense in unknown situations.
LBrown59
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<font color="green">A greasy / oily belt slips good.
They also become hardened / glazed which aids slipping / breaking. </font>
They also become hardened / glazed which aids slipping / breaking. </font>
J_J
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On the subject of bearings, Most of you probably don't know what kind of bearings you have. About the only way for you to know would be to have replaced those bearings. If you have sealed bearings, and you keep pumping grease into it, you will probably blow the seals, and then you have an unsealed bearing. Some say that they are greasing every couple days, or hours. Seems like a waste to me. The bearings actually run in the oil extracted from the grease.
If you really want to know what the spindle looks like when you think it needs grease, take the time to break down the spindle and bearings and take a look, analyze the situation and go from there . It's your gun and your machine, do as you wish.
If you search the internet for over greasing , there are many articles on the subject.
If you really want to know what the spindle looks like when you think it needs grease, take the time to break down the spindle and bearings and take a look, analyze the situation and go from there . It's your gun and your machine, do as you wish.
If you search the internet for over greasing , there are many articles on the subject.
funpilot
Silver Member
I have a different problem. I bought my 425 last year used from Power Trac with 150 hours on it. After about 10 hours I attempted to grease the 4 fittings I am suppose to grease every 10 hours. 3 of the 4 fittings would accept no grease at all. I changed the fittings with new ones. Same thing. The grease would not go in. What should I do?
