The Great Grease Gun Coupler Showdown

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I've been very happy with my LnL. But I'm really interested to hear how this new one works out for you. I can certainly see some advantages in it.

 

[TomSeller]

Now dog gonnit ! After finding the LNL, I checked the "find a better and cleaner way to grease" off my bucket list. Now I mjight have to reconsider. Or get me a competing brand and find out for myself. Thank God I like tractors and always a better mousetrap.

 

[k0ua]

I've been very happy with my LnL. But I'm really interested to hear how this new one works out for you. I can certainly see some advantages in it.

Same here..getting along good with the LnL, but following this with interest.

Two questions, why in heck do both of these new couplers cost so dang much (I think I know the answer, and it's something like "because they can").

And why now? why haven't these type couplers been on the market for decades. I mean they are not exactly a space age design or anything.. They are actually fairly simple.

 

[ovrszd]

James, you probably remember the story better than I. But didn't the guy that is marketing the LnL here in the U.S. find it overseas somewhere and corner the market on importing it?? Maybe it had been in existence there for a while??

If it stops raining I'll be brushcutting today and will get a chance to try out the Univer-Co version.

 

[jeff9366]

Why in heck do both of these new couplers cost so dang much (I think I know the answer, and it's something like "because they can").

Many years ago when I worked in a retail liquor store, one customer told the owner in my presence that the store was "high" on 1/2 gallon bottles of Gordon's Gin, relative to a store down the street, and wanted to know "why".

The owner's deadpan reply: "Some people like hamburger. I like steak."

I roared with laughter.

New technology should always be premium priced. After awhile competition will adjust the price.

 

[Gary Fowler]

John, I also didn't think much about the need for a locking coupler. With the LnL it actually slowed down my greasing tasks. Especially when greasing the Road Grader that takes a full tube to complete. I use a Rechargeable Gun so always have a hand free to hold a standard coupler in place.

I found the LnL to be messy. Tend to come away from using it with greasy hands. I never had that problem with a standard coupler. But I might find the same problem with the Univer-Co version. We'll see.

I'm also anxious to see how well the Univer-Co coupler hangs onto a Zerk that isn't wanting to accept grease. It appears to be well built and stout.

I think I paid somewhere around $30 for the LnL. I paid $32 for the Univer-Co.

I too have multiple guns loaded with different grease types.

The only Univer-Co. fitting I found locally was at our Farmers Co-Op but it was $40. I just cant see paying that much for something that I can do with one hand while pushing the gun trigger on my pneumatic pump with the other. I do have some leakers at times and they may require adjustment of the coupling but I can live with having the $40 in my pocket and loosing a little grease here and there.

 

[k0ua]

James, you probably remember the story better than I. But didn't the guy that is marketing the LnL here in the U.S. find it overseas somewhere and corner the market on importing it?? Maybe it had been in existence there for a while??

If it stops raining I'll be brushcutting today and will get a chance to try out the Univer-Co version.

I don't know Richard.. I know they come from South Africa. But I don't know how long they have been in existence. I do remember in the old "grease gun and a screwdriver" thread I participated in a few years ago, early on in the thread, another poster said something like "why don't they make a clip on coupler thingy more like an air chuck clip on? " or something to that effect.. Well that was prophetic.

 

[ovrszd]

I lubed approximately 40 Zerks today with the Univer-Co.

I love the compactness.

I hate that I have to put my fingers "near" the possible grease to unlock.

I love that it is normally in the unlock position. So finger involvement is only in the release function.

I hate that it appears to be hard to release from a resistant Zerk. Push the coupler harder onto the Zerk and then it releases easily. I didn't experience a Zerk that will not take grease. I don't tolerate that.

I love it's apparent durability. Seems to be very well built. The way it locks/unlocks seems to be fail proof.

As of today, I'll continue to use it for awhile and see where my attitude goes.

Because I use a rechargeable or a pistol grip gun I don't see as much value to having a locking coupler.

Glad I bought one and compared it directly to the LnL. Also glad I bought the LnL to experiment with a locking coupler.

For those that struggle to see the value in spending $40 on something like this, let me look at your expenses and I'll find something we can all have a great laugh about.

Long term reports to be announced. )

 

[ovrszd]

I don't know Richard.. I know they come from South Africa. But I don't know how long they have been in existence. I do remember in the old "grease gun and a screwdriver" thread I participated in a few years ago, early on in the thread, another poster said something like "why don't they make a clip on coupler thingy more like an air chuck clip on? " or something to that effect.. Well that was prophetic.

Yeah, it was South Africa. I'll dig around and see if I can find that info.

I have no idea how long the Univer-Co has been offered. Honestly, I'd never heard of such a thing as a locking coupler until I saw the LnL thread here on TBN.

Yeah, I live a sheltered life.

 

[Scooby074]

Glad to hear the Univerco is matching my experiences for you.

Part of the "high" cost is these things are relatively specialized items made by small companies. Univerco for example is a specialized tractor implement / veg processing equipment maker in Quebec. They dont even mention the grease couplers on their website! Special Projects - Univerco Made in Canada vs. China means something too.

When you think in the case of the Univerco, its basically a hydraulic coupling. Mass produced in the millions, hydraulic couplings are still $10+. The fact that this company (and LnL) can make such relatively small quantities in small shops yet still sell them for only $30 is impressive. The cost of the item isnt outrageous, its up to the user to determine if its value for money however. IMHO its money well spent (so far)