Zerk/grease gun 101

[Wagtail]

I have a serious, yet whimsicle, question...

Since when did grease nipples cease being called grease nipples? It was easy enough to translate "zerk" (and even ENC's "zero") but if I were to say that around here I'd get some very strange looks.

Is it a 'brand name' thing? Like saying "xerox" instead of photocopy or "Hoover" instead of vacuum cleaner.

 

[PhysAssist]

I have a serious, yet whimsicle, question...

Since when did grease nipples cease being called grease nipples? It was easy enough to translate "zerk" (and even ENC's "zero") but if I were to say that around here I'd get some very strange looks.

Is it a 'brand name' thing? Like saying "xerox" instead of photocopy or "Hoover" instead of vacuum cleaner.

Oscar Zerk invented an improved design for grease nipples hence the name, his design was licensed to the Alemite Co., which was already making another fitting that was less successful at sealing out dirt, and letting grease in.

Grease fitting and grease nipple are also used.

Thanks wikipedia.
Thomas

 

[PhysAssist]

What do you do when the grease come out around the tip and zero area instead of flowing through the zero to the area that needs greased?

As was said previously- hold the tube and nozzle straight over the fitting, or try tightening the nozzle, finally, it may be plugged and you can do any of the above, or get a grease fitting cleaner/clearer from HF ($9.99 before coupon) or auto parts store (or TSC).

You fill the body of it with light machine oil like 3-in-1 or WD-40, attach its nozzle like the grease gun, and hit a plunger on it with a hammer to force the oil in and clean the crud out.

Be sure to pump it full of grease once it's cleared.

My DR Brush and Field Mower was stored outside last winter for the first (and only) time, and the grease fittings seized up, hence my purchase of the clearer. There was no rust, just frozen zerks.

Safe tractoring,
Thomas

 

[Kubota Tee]

Great thread! Was thinking of starting one on this topic, but wasn't sure if there would be an interest or if it would be considered too basic. Here's my question: does every grease gun leak? Are some better than others when it comes to leaking, changing cartridges, general usage? I've picked up several over the years (all cheap ones) and I'm just wondering if its worth "investing" in a good one - will I notice any difference? My only frame of reference was when I went from always getting/using a cheap caulk gun to a "professional" model, it made a world of difference!

Keep the posts coming!

 

[Stonehaller]

I have been digging trenches for drain tile the last few days and yesterday morning as I was wiping the grease zerks in the backhoe pins on my L39, I noticed one of the zerks turned. I got a ratchet and socket and every zerk in the center of a pin was loose. Those not in pins, like for the boom swing pivot, where tight. I checked the loader and it was the same story there. It could have been the previous owner, but it makes me wonder if the factory never fully tightened zerks in pins. It could also be that the pins see more impact loading verses a housing and over time that loosens the zerk (tractor has almost 800 hrs). Something to add to the maintenance check list. Anybody else notice this?

 

[Earl Ohl]

Great thread! Was thinking of starting one on this topic, but wasn't sure if there would be an interest or if it would be considered too basic. Here's my question: does every grease gun leak? Are some better than others when it comes to leaking, changing cartridges, general usage? I've picked up several over the years (all cheap ones) and I'm just wondering if its worth "investing" in a good one - will I notice any difference? My only frame of reference was when I went from always getting/using a cheap caulk gun to a "professional" model, it made a world of difference!

Keep the posts coming!

Most of the ones that I've had do leak. On my newest one I screwed the end cap off the barrel (spring loaded) & the plunger seal was out of position. I worked on it with my fingers (messy) & repositioned it properly. Try to do this when the grease cartridge is empty though.

 

[ENC]

Well looks like I have some plugged up zerks (no more autocorrect) . I was holding the tip of the gun on pretty hard and straight. I have about 4 zerks on my FEL that won't take grease, kinda hacks me off when the tractor has only 80 hours on it. Also I am obsessive about wiping a zerk off both before and after(helps minimize dust and grime buildup) greasing it.
Thanks again for the advice

 

[k0ua]

Well looks like I have some plugged up zerks (no more autocorrect) . I was holding the tip of the gun on pretty hard and straight. I have about 4 zerks on my FEL that won't take grease, kinda hacks me off when the tractor has only 80 hours on it. Also I am obsessive about wiping a zerk off both before and after(helps minimize dust and grime buildup) greasing it.
Thanks again for the advice

Also some times a Zerk wont take grease, because the pin joint is in a bind, you can move the joint or take pressure off of it by moving the backhoe or letting it rest on the ground. When you hold the tip on good and tight and straight, and attempt to pump grease do you feel resistance? In other words you cannot pump? If so then it could be stopped up like we have all mentioned but it could be you need to move the joint relieve pressure on it. I hope this made some sense.

James K0UA

 

[Runner]

I find that a cordless electric grease gun is VERY helpful. This is especially true for fittings that are set at an angle where you can't get "straight on it" with a hand-pump gun. You can hold the tip on the zerk with one hand and hit the button with the other.

I modified my electric gun by adding a rigid tube from an old pump style gun to the end of the rubber hose. This makes it much easier to hold the end tight against the zerk and also to get into tight areas where you otherwise couldn't get your hand on the end of the hose. Now that I've used this setup for a few years, I wouldn't be without it for tractor greasing.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I am sure those Lincoln battery guns are good but WOW the price is almost enough to buy a compressor and a $20 pneumatic one to provide the air. Since I do all my greasing at my shop, I couldn't see spending $200 on a battery gun since I already have a couple of compressors. We used to use a 5 gallon tank type gun to grease the cotton picker in the field. You could set it close to where you were greasing and grease all the bars without refilling. It took about 3 gallons of grease per day to grease it so the little cartridges were not useful. I wish I still had that gun. Once you got it filled, the mess was over for a while.