Grease - is there no better way? Can we talk about this?

[kneedeep]

what techniques do you have for purging air in newly replaced cartridge manual grease gun? that's my only issue & don't mind getting messy when gun works properly. regards`
do pneumatic guns work better in that regard? my experience is no

Most GG have a button or a bolt that will ‘burp’ the air out.
During hot weather, I keep mine in a bucket upside down as the heat will soften grease and being upside down they always pump.
Equipment maintenance can be a messy deal but for any longevity it is necessary.

 

[madspeed]

I picked up one of these guns from HF. It is awesome! I have zero mess, it purges itself very quickly on cartridge changes and those changes are very simple. There is a little rubber housing that the nozzle fits into for storage that prevents a mess from occuring. I have had zero leaks of any kind, couldn't be happier. The battery lasts forever, couldn't even tell you the last time it was charged.

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-cordless-variable-speed-grease-gun-tool-only-58607.html

 

[bowenskye]

what techniques do you have for purging air in newly replaced cartridge manual grease gun? that's my only issue & don't mind getting messy when gun works properly. regards`
do pneumatic guns work better in that regard? my experience is no

I leave the canister, that holds the grease tube, a little loose, so that air can escape.

 

[aircommuter]

Like others said. Disposable gloves, blue paper towels and wipe as you go. The only grease you need is that thin film between the wearing parts.

 

[aa2tn]

what techniques do you have for purging air in newly replaced cartridge manual grease gun? that's my only issue & don't mind getting messy when gun works properly. regards`
do pneumatic guns work better in that regard? my experience is no

Just leave the cover a bit loose when you install a new tube of grease until the grease comes out the tip then tighten ...

 

[4570Man]

what techniques do you have for purging air in newly replaced cartridge manual grease gun? that's my only issue & don't mind getting messy when gun works properly. regards`
do pneumatic guns work better in that regard? my experience is no

If you can store the grease in the sun there’s almost no issue to start with in my experience. My grease gun has a bleeder screen but I rarely use it. I’ve had the best results to leave the tube loose and ram the plunger rod back and forth while the gun is pumping.

 

[350c]

I also store my grease guns in a 5 gal. bucket and am surprised at how much oil leaks out of the grease and collects at the bottom of the bucket.

I did some research and discovered that grease guns should be stored horizontally and not vertically. In horizontal storage, less oil will separate from the grease and the oil that does separate tends to stay in the grease tube.

I plan to now store my guns on a large cookie sheet.

Tried the horizontal storage. The oil that stays in the gun then runs out when you are using it, dripping onto everything beneath. If you happen to be laying under a piece of equipment, guess what's beneath...

 

[MD2595]

I’m glad to see I’m not the only one that went battery back to manual. More control and Less waste. Have 3 guns. 2 Deere and yellow lock and lube. Performance wise. Lock and lube.

That's all well and good until you rent a skid steer and the track pops off. Try refilling the grease on that with a manual grease gun. Your hands/forearms will hate you.

 

[4570Man]

Tried the horizontal storage. The oil that stays in the gun then runs out when you are using it, dripping onto everything beneath. If you happen to be laying under a piece of equipment, guess what's beneath...

I switched to this Exxon grease. Even in 90 degrees in full sun the grease stays in the tube without running everywhere like red grease does.

 

[Gord Baker]

One of the things I hate most about working with equipment is grease. I recently decided I was going to make it easier by getting a battery powered grease gun. Then I opted to put a lube lock fitting nozzle thingy to try to reduce the mess.

It helps but the grease and mess still gets everywhere.

All over my hands. Ruined countless numbers of rags. All over the tractor in places I'd rather not have it. All over the grease gun and even some of my other tools.

Is there a better way? Are there any products I should look into?
Is there no newfangled alternate to grease that isn't quite so messy?

Grease makes the already unpleasant task of maintaining equipment even less pleasant.

Use Brake Cleaner to clean up your GG and I put mine in a disposable plastic bag with just the end sticking out. Wipe off the Zerk fitting first and insert well aligned. A couple pumps is all you need. Rags are for ruining. That's why they are called rags. I don't understand how you get it all over tractor and tools.

 

[4570Man]

That's all well and good until you rent a skid steer and the track pops off. Try refilling the grease on that with a manual grease gun. Your hands/forearms will hate you.

Greasing a small tractor loader that only takes 2-3 pumps a pin isn’t bad with a manual pump. Greasing larger equipment that takes a lot more grease sucks by hand. And a battery grease gun is still capable of doing a low amount of grease. Aside from cost I’m not sure what the advantage is of a manual gun.

 

[Robfnk]

Grease is messy but better that then having to change a bearing or pin.

 

[Engineer42]

That's all well and good until you rent a skid steer and the track pops off. Try refilling the grease on that with a manual grease gun. Your hands/forearms will hate you.

Yeah, but your grip strength will be great. Between running grease guns, and pounding in grade stakes with an 8 pound hammer with a 25" handle, I had good forearms and grip strength for years. Age tells its toll tho.

I can't remember how many fittings were on a 613 paddle pan, 12E grader, 966 loader, Link Belt Dragline, or many other machines. Button head fittings in the large bearings on the shaker screens for sand plants each took one hundred pumps daily.

Greasing is part of ownership. Slow down, clean as you go, and know you're protecting your investment. It's a joy not everyone gets.

And, if you can't do the above, maybe the earlier recommended sale and relocation is your best bet. Just my opinion.

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

I don't understand how you get it all over tractor and tools.

Tools - typically transference from my hands to the tools.
Tractor - trying to wipe off old or excess grease and it just smears.

 

[Chiefwebb]

I maintain 3 tractors that require greasing, which I must do. I have some physical impairment so I splurged a few years ago and bought a Lock-n-Lube "G-Gun". Very powerful with its foot lever. Lifting the lever after the greasing of a fitting and the pressure is relieved, reducing wasted grease. The locking coupler also prevents leakage and loss. The G-Gun has a fairly long hose allowing me to connect the coupler to different fittings without moving the bucket. I know its not something most people will splurge for but for me it makes greasing easy.

 

[Dadah]

One of the things I hate most about working with equipment is grease. I recently decided I was going to make it easier by getting a battery powered grease gun. Then I opted to put a lube lock fitting nozzle thingy to try to reduce the mess.

It helps but the grease and mess still gets everywhere.

All over my hands. Ruined countless numbers of rags. All over the tractor in places I'd rather not have it. All over the grease gun and even some of my other tools.

Is there a better way? Are there any products I should look into?
Is there no newfangled alternate to grease that isn't quite so messy?

Grease makes the already unpleasant task of maintaining equipment even less pleasant.

I would like to see a video of you greasing your equipment showing the problems you’re having that cause you to get so greasy. I have vehicles, tractor, equipment and a 61” ZRT Grasshoppers that needs grease regularly. I don’t stay squeaky clean but I don’t ruin rags or clothes.
What in the world are you doing?!?!

 

[neilpaku]

One option would be to fit an autogreaser. There'd still be grease but you'd deal with it less often. Other than that, you "could" convert some of the assemblies to oil-lubrication but it's probably not practical for all (or any) of them. When I rebuilt the axles on my gooseneck, I converted them to oil which makes topping them up super-easy. Probably a hangover from my logging truck days where all axles were oil-bath.

 

[Squirrel's242]

One of the things I hate most about working with equipment is grease. I recently decided I was going to make it easier by getting a battery powered grease gun. Then I opted to put a lube lock fitting nozzle thingy to try to reduce the mess.

It helps but the grease and mess still gets everywhere.

All over my hands. Ruined countless numbers of rags. All over the tractor in places I'd rather not have it. All over the grease gun and even some of my other tools.

Is there a better way? Are there any products I should look into?
Is there no newfangled alternate to grease that isn't quite so messy?

Grease makes the already unpleasant task of maintaining equipment even less pleasant.

I try to keep everything tidy and I still get a rag or two dirty. But the job got more pleasant after I made a few changes...

I switched from a conventional punger style grease gun to a Lube Shuttle. That change decreased the mess with changing tubes. The grease I use also doesn't separate and leak.

I also started using a swivel adapter with a Lock N Lube tip on the hose, that helped as well because it keeps the hose manageable when I'm working in tight spots.

I also don't over grease, I monitor the fitting so that I don't have grease blobs oozing out to fall out.

And when the fitting is full, don't give it the last squeeze, let the pressure in the last squeeze go into the fitting. THEN remove the grease tip. That way grease doesn't continue to ooze out the gun and go nowhere except your clothes.


I'm telling you though, get rid of the plunger style, that makes the biggest improvement in cleanliness.

 

[seez52]

Alls I know is ya don't wanna trip that spring loaded hannel until the top is screwed on good. Woohwee that makes a mess.

 

[deadheadmartin]

One of the things I hate most about working with equipment is grease. I recently decided I was going to make it easier by getting a battery powered grease gun. Then I opted to put a lube lock fitting nozzle thingy to try to reduce the mess.

It helps but the grease and mess still gets everywhere.

All over my hands. Ruined countless numbers of rags. All over the tractor in places I'd rather not have it. All over the grease gun and even some of my other tools.

Is there a better way? Are there any products I should look into?
Is there no newfangled alternate to grease that isn't quite so messy?

Grease makes the already unpleasant task of maintaining equipment even less pleasant.

Grease is cheaper than steel.