anyone else having problems with Kubotas grease fittings?

newdeal · Nov 12, 2011

I have had a few issues, being this is my first tractor I am not sure if they are normal or not. First when I got my mower deck the grease fitting on the balance shaft would not accept grease. Then I went to grease my snow blower PTO and one of the fittings was stripped and pulled right out in the grease gun. Today I went to grease the loader pin and the grease fitting broke right off on the threads so I had half in my hand and the other half inside the loader. This is a 1.5 year old bx2360 and I have owned it from new. Is this a common occurrence or is kubota using cheap fittings?

tshep · Nov 12, 2011

I've had a couple of problems also. Put in different shapes so they weren't 'stressed' as I got to them. I think it's very likely the fittings themselves (all of them) are purposely not made from very good metal - so they will will not ruin the parts they are installed in.

creekbend · Nov 12, 2011

My Kubota L4400 is 5 months old. I greased all my fittings about 2 weeks ago in expectations of winter weather. This was the third time that I have greased my tractor since purchasing new. I have never had a problem. I installed zerk covers on all my fittings from day one. Although the covers keep the fittings clean from dirt;etc, I doubt that the use of them would prevent your problem. I am not sure. Were the fittings rusted or damaged in anyway prior to applying the grease gun hose? There have been several threads in regards to grease fittings on TBN in the past. Perhaps you may find some valuable info in one of those forums. I don't recall reading anything about a grease fitting breaking off in those threads, but I do recall difficulties associated with fittings that were defective and as a result, would not accept any grease. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

:tractor:

Max Power · Nov 12, 2011

...it could be your grease gun's coupler is too stiff or damaged.

BeezFun · Nov 12, 2011

Max Power said:
...it could be your grease gun's coupler is too stiff or damaged.

+1
Maybe OP doesn't know coupler is adjustable.
I use a rubber flex hose on my gun so I can't exert any stress on fittings.

k0ua · Nov 12, 2011

Perhaps this will help, please read the entire thread:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/203295-grease-gun-screwdriver.html

In over 20 years of greasing farm machinery I have never broken a zerk, including the last almost 10 years owning kubota's

James K0UA

newdeal · Nov 13, 2011

I cant seem to adjust the coupler and I have tried. The hose is rubber but it has to be taken off by pushing to the side which may be putting strain on the fittings

k0ua · Nov 13, 2011

Here is what you must do.. Put the Hex portion of the coupler in a vise, and take a pair of vise grips or water pump pliers, (channel locks) and unscrew the knurled front portion. Here are the 3 possibilities.
1: the knurled portion will unscrew from the rear hex portion that goes on the hose. and you are now good to go. You adjust by hand from there to get the correct tension of the jaws on the zerk. all good now.

2: you never get it to break loose and damage the end beyond any use. Ok nothing lost. now go to the auto parts store and buy a new coupler for about $5.. Adjust the new one correctly and you are all good now.

3: It is not an adjustable collet coupler. and you twist it in two.. Good you destroyed a POS that is useless anyway. See 2 above.

for inspiration see Beppingtons post 66 in this thread

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/222738-grease-guns-7.html

What I am saying in simple terms is crank on it until something breaks loose or breaks and it dont matter which.

James K0UA