3 point hitch lubrication

[Rustnut]

Hey guys and gals. I tried searching for my answer first but didn't find what I was looking for. What does everyone use for lubricating the ball joints on the 3 point hitch? Is ball joint the right terminology? I was thinking about just spraying some WD40 on them but figured I'd ask the experts. Just trying to prevent rust and keep them moving freely. Is lube even necessary?

Thanks

 

[dirttoys]

Hey guys and gals. I tried searching for my answer first but didn't find what I was looking for. What does everyone use for lubricating the ball joints on the 3 point hitch? Is ball joint the right terminology? I was thinking about just spraying some WD40 on them but figured I'd ask the experts. Just trying to prevent rust and keep them moving freely. Is lube even necessary?

Thanks

Most have zerks that I am familiar with, #2 grease is normal I guess. I would not use wd 40 or any other degreaser, will leave them dry.

Best,

ed

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate, I use a lanolin based spray-on lubricant. Not knowing where in the world you're located, I'd hazard a guess that "Fluid Film" would be the 'go-to' product in North America. Although there is some lubricant added to WD-40, lanolin is a better, actual, lubricant.

Regarding the rest of your tractor, if it doesn't have a dedicated grease nipple (zerk) and it moves, spray it with lanolin. Add that to your regular maintenance routine.

 

[PILOON]

I personally like to lube mine from time to time as they do tend to get somewhat lose over time as they wear like any metal joint to metal joint does.
My take is a lube that clings would be best, (like motorcycle chain lube).
I'd say my 2 cents but Canada no longer uses pennies. (inflation)

 

[neverfailyou]

If something on my tractors (one is 25 years old and one is 3 years old) moves but doesn’t have a zerk fitting I give it some shots of used motor oil in a metal oil pump gun. Seems to work and I can repurpose some used motor oil,

 

[Rosher18]

I use moly grease 2-3 times a year or whenever it seems dry. I only use the tractor maybe 3 to 5 hours a month in the summer, but the use it sees is mostly in an abrasive dust environment in our horse riding arena.

It's also a 44 year old tractor, so there's that.

 

[John0829]

I never use any lube on them, it holds grit and acts like a grinding compound.

 

[RalphVa]

I use a silicon spray lube or similar. You don't want anything that attracts dirt/grit.

 

[fried1765]

Most have zerks that I am familiar with, #2 grease is normal I guess. I would not use wd 40 or any other degreaser, will leave them dry.

Best,

ed

"Most have zerks"
Really?
Never have seen one with zerks.

 

[Tinhack]

I've switched to chain lube for anything that moves and doesn't have zerks. The motorcycle chain lube is a wax based lube. It's pretty slick so it must have some silicone or Teflon in it. It goes on wet then dries. It doesn't attract dirt. Oh yeah, it's great for motorcycle chains too.

I still use lanolin for plated or unpainted parts that don't move. The lanolin keeps stuff from rusting. And it provides some lubricity. Especially tractor hitch pins and such. I buy the lanolin in a butter tub sized container and dissolve about two tablespoons of it in a quart of naphtha. I put that in a spray bottle and use it all over the shop too--Machine vises, machine tables and ways, etc. Now that does leave a little sticky coating but stuff doesn't rust.