BH90 grease zerk trouble

5030tinkerer · Dec 27, 2005

Is anyone aware of a grease zerk tube extension?

My 2003 model BH90 backhoe has a grease zerk pointing straight up right at the left-right pivet point. Trouble is, the zerk has severely limited vertical clearance - even a 90° adapter is ineffective at getting in to grease this fitting. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I have successfully used a hose in place of my rigid grease gun tube, but even then things were way too tight and I was stressing my hose extensively. I tried putting in a 45° and a 90° zerk to replace this one, but since the zerk was counter-sunk to begin with, this didn't allow the necessary clearance. What have others done?

Kubota L3830 HST with BH90 backhoe

XANDROS_user · Dec 27, 2005

There is a "needle connector" available at any full fledged parts store that slips on your gun. The needle will depress the ball in that trouble zerk. It does require constant pressure against the zerk (2 hand operation). But hold on, there are probly better ideas than mine. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Deerlope · Dec 27, 2005

There is also a 60drg zerk it might help.

Bird · Dec 27, 2005

I just recently bought one of the needle adapters for my grease gun to grease my impact wrench. I got mine at Northern Tool and they had about a half dozen different styles. The cheapest and smallest one, about $3, is probably the easiest to use and is the one I bought.

txdon · Dec 27, 2005

Yes I am aware of it. I also tried the 90 like you. I finally screwed off the end of my old grease gun and went to the hardware store and bought a small metal L from the plumbing area. It works, tight but it works.

wushaw · Dec 27, 2005

THis should work, it is a 90deg fitting..just slide it onto the grease zerk.

90deg fitting

5030tinkerer · Dec 28, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Yes I am aware of it. I also tried the 90 like you. I finally screwed off the end of my old grease gun and went to the hardware store and bought a small metal L from the plumbing area. It works, tight but it works. )</font>

This is exactly the type of solution I was looking for! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I had tried the 60° zerk, the 45°, and the 90°, all to no avail. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I also now own the right angle attachment mentioned by wushaw and tried it - no dice. I have to admit that I own the needle fitting that Bird mentioned, but wasn't at all sure how to use it. Thanks to FredG, I now have an idea.

I'll head over to my friendly Ace Hardware and see if they have a fitting that provides the vertical clearance I need. I take it that you just inserted their fitting where the zerk was and attached the original zerk to the hardware store add-on?

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I appreciate it about as much as you likely know. I have been a lurker for quite some time here - now that I've posted I'm even more of a believer in TBN!

CTyler · Dec 28, 2005

Can you post a picture? I am having trouble picturing why you have room to put in a L but not enough room to use a 90 adapter on the gun. I have a different one than what was posted.

txdon · Dec 28, 2005

Here is the thread that shows what I'm talking about. The metal plumbing (or gas?) L worked because the L is shorter. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

The 90deg fitting did not work for me. I think it had to go up a little to get over the cylinder but not so much that it hit the top, or I could not hold it on and pump... it's been a while. Anyway the L fitting was about 50 cents.

wushaw · Dec 28, 2005

AAAHHH I see what the trouble is now...it is a recessed zerk fitting not allowing the 90deg slid on fitting but will allow a 90deg needle fitting but will allow a 90deg needle fitting like one on this page, just scrol down to the bottom.
Other fittings
Or do what Don did /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif