Non-standard grease fitting threads?

[SugarPeaFarm]

Has anyone done enough research to find out what size and thread pitch Mahindra uses for their grease fittings? I have a 4530 and the nipple portion is gone on the front zerk on the front axle pivot. It measures .375" outside thread diameter and 28 tpi on a thread pitch gage. Threading is straight, not tapered. 3/8"-28 is apparently used in some places, but I can find no US source. I have called my dealer, Mahindra parts in Houston, and several other local Mahindra dealers and no one knows what thread they are, and no dealers stock them. All can special order for a $2 part. If I never expected to need another zerk for this tractor I would not bother, but there are a lot of grease fittings on these tractors and they are not all the same. Here is a picture of the damaged fitting.

 

[ovrszd]

Bummer. Hope you can figure something out. I've probably got 100 new Zerks of considerable threads types on my shop shelf, and I guarantee you the next time I need a replacement I won't have the right thread type.........

 

[AchingBack]

I recently bought fittings for my car's ball joint grease point at my local Ace Hardware store. I took the old zerk with me and at the store was able to screw it into the proper size gauge they had. Although they didn't have the angle fitting I needed, the chart gave me the exact size and thread pitch. From there I made my way to the closest auto parts place and picked up an assortment in the correct size: two straight, two 45 degree and two 90 degree, all for about $4.00.

When I first bought my tractor, I noticed the loader was missing a fitting on one of the cylinders. Of course at which point I wondered about the dealer prep. Choosing one I had on hand in my shop, I tried inserting it into the empty threads. Well, to my dismay, there were no threads to be found. What I discovered is, by slightly taping in the lube fitting to the point of purchase, I was able to slowly turn it fully into the opening, as if it were self-tapping. Problem solved.

 

[Msamt]

Off thread a bit, but I tore one out of my Arctic Cat rear suspension, and i cant figure out the size. Just buy an assortment? I can use them on the tractor and implements as well I'm sure, right?

 

[ovrszd]

Off thread a bit, but I tore one out of my Arctic Cat rear suspension, and i cant figure out the size. Just buy an assortment? I can use them on the tractor and implements as well I'm sure, right?

Well, it's not quite that simple. In your case you first have to figure out whether your machine is generally standard threads or metric threads??? Then you have to know the thread count??? See how frustrating that is. I'd do as someone described earlier, take out a "like" zerk and go to the parts store for a measurement of the size and thread count. Then, with some luck, you'll get close enough that you might get the right zerk. This dilemma is why I have enough zerks to last me three lifetimes, if they were all the right thread size that is!!!!

 

[Looking4new]

Has anyone done enough research to find out what size and thread pitch Mahindra uses for their grease fittings? I have a 4530 and the nipple portion is gone on the front zerk on the front axle pivot. It measures .375" outside thread diameter and 28 tpi on a thread pitch gage. Threading is straight, not tapered. 3/8"-28 is apparently used in some places, but I can find no US source. I have called my dealer, Mahindra parts in Houston, and several other local Mahindra dealers and no one knows what thread they are, and no dealers stock them. All can special order for a $2 part. If I never expected to need another zerk for this tractor I would not bother, but there are a lot of grease fittings on these tractors and they are not all the same. Here is a picture of the damaged fitting.

I will look in daylight and if I have what you need I will PM you for your address and mail it to you.

 

[Msamt]

Well, it's not quite that simple. In your case you first have to figure out whether your machine is generally standard threads or metric threads??? Then you have to know the thread count??? See how frustrating that is. I'd do as someone described earlier, take out a "like" zerk and go to the parts store for a measurement of the size and thread count. Then, with some luck, you'll get close enough that you might get the right zerk. This dilemma is why I have enough zerks to last me three lifetimes, if they were all the right thread size that is!!!!

Thanks, great idea!

 

[Looking4new]

SugarPeaFarm, PM sent.

 

[SugarPeaFarm]

SugarPeaFarm, PM sent.

Thanks for the tip, I will check it out here.

 

[SugarPeaFarm]

After spending most of Friday afternoon on the phone with Mahindra in Houston, I am a little farther along. I sent them a picture of my fitting and it's measurements, part#, etc. They pulled one from their inventory and sent a pic back to me. It is the same, and I my dealer has ordered the part for me. Mahindra did not know what thread pattern it is, but has promised to find out. I found at least 7 different part numbers for grease fittings in the parts breakdown, most of them are metric, a couple have no thread ID in descriptions. I have asked Mahindra to provide accurate thread sizes for all the grease fittings for my model tractor. Or at least a kit with all the correct ones with part numbers. The one I need now is over $4 from Mahindra, which is approaching the Deere pricing model. If I am successful, I will share here.