Removing old grease around tractor zerk areas

[Alan46]

I leave it alone. Grease is never bad to have on and around moving parts that are put under a load. It’s keeping water and dirt away from the fitting when I’m out in the field. I wipe it off with a shop rag before re-greasing but that’s it. Have you ever seen a rusty zerk? Not on anything I have. Never had one clog either. Did have one fall out once that wasn’t tightened at the factory. I think when they’re clogged, most times it’s because old grease has solidified. That’s hard to clean out. It’s also a good idea to lube all the fittings on attachments before storing in the off season, especially if they sit outside.

Hey bill, have you been using my tractor again? That picture sure does look familiar!

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

How do I remove grease / junk from my equipment??

I give my wife last weeks newspaper and send her out to the equipment shed.

 

[gstrom99]

A paper towel to the button tip, to prevent dirt from being pushed in. Any grease around it stays. If it won't take grease, it usually is a bad zerk rather than a plugged pivot.

Too many different sizes on these things! Metric/SAE, screw in/pound in, etc... McMaster-Carr has them all.

 

[clarky711]

I’m in the don’t clean old grease camp. However, I usually have a small awl with me when I grease as a quick push of the ball on the zerk with the awl is usually all is needed to get grease flowing again.

 

[Alan46]

I’m in the don’t clean old grease camp. However, I usually have a small awl with me when I grease as a quick push of the ball on the zerk with the awl is usually all is needed to get grease flowing again.

That is a simple but great idea! I guess I'll be adding another tool to my box!

 

[5030]

I’m in the don’t clean old grease camp. However, I usually have a small awl with me when I grease as a quick push of the ball on the zerk with the awl is usually all is needed to get grease flowing again.

I am...lol. I use a disposable shop towel with diesel on it Far as an alemite fitting not flowing grease, never an issue here as I don't use cheap clay based (Bentonite) based grease so they never get clogged. Only synthetic high buck grease here.

Cheap grease always clogs fittings. You ALWAYS get what you pay for.